Hudson Sandler is a leading strategic communications and sustainability consultancy. We advise decision-makers on reputational risks and opportunities.
Our full suite of communications services spans capital markets communications and investor relations; corporate reputation and brand campaigning; sustainability and ESG advice; creative content creation, and digital communications and marketing.
Established in 1986 in London, our business and client base now span continents. As well as our London hub, we have offices in Africa (Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg) and Central Asia (Tashkent). We work with organisations across both developed and developing markets. We draw on the diversity of thinking across our business to deliver the best possible outcomes for our clients.
Central to our approach and success is a collaborative culture that brings together a dynamic collective of people with expertise in a range of disciplines. Our work is inspired by our values of being curious, thoughtful, collaborative, passionate, humble and fun.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Management Accountant to join our Finance team and report directly to the CFO.
This is a broad role within a fast-moving international communications business, with responsibility across management reporting, forecasting, commercial analysis, cashflow, group accounting and process improvement.
The successful candidate will work closely with the CFO and wider business to strengthen financial reporting, improve processes and provide useful commercial insight.
Key responsibilities and areas of ownership
Management Accounting and Reporting
· Prepare consolidated monthly management accounts across five entities (based in London, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa & Uzbekistan)
· Review profit and loss performance, balance sheets and support reconciliations.
· Analyse performance against budget and forecast and provide clear explanations of key variances.
· Investigate and resolve outstanding balance sheet and accounting issues.
· Support accurate and timely month-end reporting.
Forecasting and Commercial Support
· Support the annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting process.
· Review client profitability, WIP and servicing.
· Work with the CFO and senior stakeholders to improve commercial reporting and financial insight.
· Support regular financial reviews with department heads and account teams.
Cashflow and Working Capital
· Prepare and maintain the 13-week cashflow forecast.
· Review debtors, creditors and WIP and highlight areas requiring action.
· Support improvements to working capital and cash management.
Group Accounting and Controls
· Support financial reporting across the Group's international entities.
· Take ownership of intercompany reconciliations, with the team’s support
· Support on external audit, year-end and other statutory reporting requirements.
· Produce VAT returns on a monthly / quarterly basis and well as supporting corporate tax returns.
· Liaise with local accountants and advisers where required.
Process Improvement
· Review Finance processes and identify opportunities to simplify, improve or automate them, including use of AI where possible.
· Strengthen reconciliations, controls and supporting documentation.
· Develop a strong understanding of Paprika and help improve how the system is used.
· Work with the wider business to improve the quality and timeliness of information provided to Finance.
· Support the implementation of practical improvements across Finance processes and reporting.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
We are looking for someone with solid Management Accountant experience and strong accounting fundamentals. The successful candidate is likely to be ACA, ACCA or CIMA part qualified.
Ideally, you will have experience within communications, media professional services.
· Strong management accounting and month-end experience.
· Excellent balance sheet reconciliation skills.
· Experience of budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
· Experience of intercompany accounting and reconciliations.
· Good commercial awareness and an interest in understanding the underlying business.
· Strong Excel skills.
· A track record of improving finance processes and controls .
· Confidence communicating financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
· Strong attention to detail and the ability to work to deadlines.
· Experience working across multiple entities would be advantageous.
· Experience of Paprika or a similar agency system would be beneficial.