Finance Director

Publicis is an omni-channel communications agency with over 600 employees across our Canadian operations. The office is the largest in our industry in Canada and boasts talent across various disciplines of marketing and advertising expertise. Publicis carries a balanced split of Canadian, U.S. and Global clients for which we are Agency of Record. Publicis supports a range of D&I actions through our Driving Change team as well as giving back to the community through a long-standing participation in the Out of the Cold Program. With a strong, active and familial culture, Pub United is the agency’s social club, hosting events as wide reaching as Curling, Trivia Nights and more.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

• Direct report
  • Local Agency CFO
• Dotted line report
  • Agency President

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Uncompromising integrity and ethical standards
   • Embrace the Groupe’s Code of Conduct in terms of standards of conduct and behavior, and commitments and responsibilities to the agency’s stakeholders.
   • Demonstrate honesty and integrity through the timely communication of issues impacting the business to local and regional management, whether positive or negative, in an objective and transparent way.
2. Financial accounting and cash management expertise
   • Supervise and/or maintain an efficient financial accounting function to enable the timely and accurate reporting of financial information including forecasts.
   • Ensure that financial data reported to the Groupe has been prepared in accordance with Publicis Corporate Policies and international accounting standards.
   • Ensure that appropriate internal controls are operating effectively and monthly performance/forecast assessments are completed on a timely basis.
3. Strong understanding of the company’s operations
   • Provide insightful monthly commentary of the financial statements to local and regional management, with pertinent explanations of significant variances and, where appropriate, related action plans.
   • Work with Management to ensure the business structure and processes are delivering optimal operating efficiencies and, where appropriate, develop and implement measures to improve efficiency.
4. Strategic vision and leadership
   • Support Management in the communication of the Agency’s strategic vision and goals to local management and the senior finance team.
   • Prepare budgets and reforecasts which meet the Agency strategic objectives and current objectives … operating stmt, Capx, TWC, & client P&Ls.
   • Support Management in identifying business growth opportunities and developing related business proposals for evaluation by local, regional, and global management.
5. Problem-solving abilities
   • Proactively provide recommendations to local and regional management to address business and financial issues facing the agency.
6. Communications and management skills
   • Establish strong communication channels with local and regional management which ensure that business issues are efficiently and effectively communicated and feedback obtained on a timely basis.
   • Be open and approachable to staff, setting clear objectives and goals, providing leadership/training, and ensuring that 360⁰ communication is maintained (Direct Reports: 5).
7. Strong work ethic
   • Demonstrate a strong work ethic by working additional hours, as required, to meet Groupe deadlines and other business commitments.
8. Results oriented mindset
   • Prioritize tasks, focusing on those areas which best deliver results.
9. Reliability
   • Consistently meet Agency and Groupe deadlines, providing data to local and regional management which is complete, accurate and timely, and fully meets their requirements.

Education

• University degree.

Professional Qualification:

• Recognized accounting qualification including:
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA)
• Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of Finance Director/Controller experience. Experience should be demonstrated through knowledge and competency in the following skills:

• Basic Skills
  • Preparation & Maintenance of Accounting Records
  • Statutory Audit Preparation and Finalization
  • Organization Skill
• Intermediate Skills
  • Project and Service Costing
  • Project Management
  • Capital Appraisal
  • Management Reporting and Decision Making
  • Planning and Budgeting
• Experience of financial management reporting on an international basis with particular emphasis on the analysis and interpretation of financial data, highlighting key management information.
• Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and local GAAP.

Publicis Canada is committed to building a diverse workforce representative of our community. We encourage and are pleased to consider all qualified candidates, without regard to race, colour, citizenship, religion, sex, marital/family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, aboriginal status, age, disability or persons who may require an accommodation, to apply. If you require a specific accommodation please contact Human Resources at 416-925-7733 or by email at inquiries@publicisna.com.