WPP SSC MY | Analyst - SSC Finance [Fullset Accounting]

JOB PURPOSE :
The Finance Analyst will be a key contributor to the financial operations, ensuring accurate period-end close activities, robust management reporting, and adherence to WPP group policies. This role involves active participation in statutory and internal control audits, and close collaboration with various internal and external stakeholders to drive financial accuracy, compliance, and continuous process improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting & Reconciliation
• Manage and execute period-end financial close activities in accordance with the agreed upon closing calendar.
• Collaborate with the SSC RTR (Record to Report) team to ensure accurate and timely processing of all general ledger entries, fixed assets, bank, and tax transactions. Ensure the accurate preparation and integrity of management report data.
• Conduct variance analysis (actual vs. budget/forecast) and provide clear explanations for deviations.
• Facilitate the online submission of direct and indirect taxes, ensuring all submissions are approved by the Financial Controller/Team Lead.
• Proactively identify and resolve intercompany balance mismatches, ensuring accurate reconciliation.
• Execute timely balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies or long-standing items.

Compliance & Audit
• Ensure compliance with WPP policies, IFRS/GAAP standards, and local regulatory requirements.
• Manage the timely and accurate preparation and submission of direct and indirect tax returns (e.g., SST, GST, Sales Tax, Corporate Tax).
• Actively participate in the SSC's statutory and internal control audits, providing necessary documentation and explanations.
• Maintain robust financial documentation and records

Process Improvement & Standardisation
• Timely escalate critical issues to relevant parties and collaborate with WPP OpCo Finance and/or Senior Analyst/Team Lead to track and resolve them efficiently.
• Proactively work with senior analysts and team leads to identify, propose, and implement continuous process improvement opportunities within existing financial processes.
• Actively participate in continuous process improvement projects and plans.
• Involvement in ad hoc activities or projects.

Stakeholder Management & Support
• Liaise effectively with SSC PTP (Procure to Pay) teams to ensure all approved vendor invoices and payments are posted before the monthly cut-off.
• Partner with SSC OTC (Order to Cash) teams to ensure intercompany billing to counterparties is completed by the cut-off date.
• Facilitate the online submission of direct and indirect taxes, ensuring all submissions are approved by the Financial Controller/Team Lead.
• Actively engage with WPP Operating Units (OpCo) Finance, SSC functional teams, intercompany finance teams, internal auditors, and external stakeholders (e.g., auditors, tax agents, vendors, government officers) as needed.
• Ensure robust ownership and adherence to all applicable internal controls related to SSC Finance processes.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field, and/or professional accounting qualification (ACCA/CPA/MIA etc.)
• Minimum 1 - 2 years relevant experience in accounting function.
• Experience in management reporting, audit and tax is an added advantage.
• Experience in MNC/SSC environment will be added advantage.
• Experience in using ERP system and Microsoft Office applications.

KEY COMPETENCIES:
• Exceptional analytical skills with a meticulous attention to detail and a strong aptitude for numbers.
• Proficiency in financial accounting principles and the ability to accurately interpret and apply accounting entries.
• Highly proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and manage priorities effectively with minimal supervision.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with fluency in English.
• Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment and build positive working relationships with diverse stakeholders

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?