Manager, Client Finance

CoLab is a fully integrated, cross-discipline team that provides best-in-class services in a fluid and modular way. With our clients at the center, we create brand movement at the speed of people’s lives by connecting real-time data with world-class creative, content, and media in service of growth and Return on investment.

CoLab is a “power of one” solution, encompassing data, media, and production. By drawing from across the vast Publicis Groupe network, we are uniquely positioned to deliver innovation and specialized skills to our clients, as well as enriching opportunities and inclusive benefits to our employees. We pride ourselves on combining the atmosphere of a startup company with the stability and experience of a global leader.

The Finance Manager is a key member of the Business Unit (BU) Finance team, with a focus on creating value and long term success for the BU through management of client finance, client accounting and client/project financial analysis. He/She partners with key people in the Account Management/Client Engagement and Project Management/Delivery teams to ensure that information relating to client finance is reliable and timely for use in planning, financial reporting, business analysis and decision making. The Finance Manager reports directly to the VP, Finance Director of the BU and has a close working relationship with the various departments within the Shared Service Center (ReSources). The individual must be able to manage and coordinate multiple priorities, communicate with senior operational managers at the BU, manage a team/individuals, and have a high level of computer aptitude and business sense.

Client Finance – Ensure financial operations associated with client management contribute to an exceptional and seamless customer experience

• Support and monitor compliance with client contractual terms, conditions and policies across all financial areas (i.e., pricing, billing, travel policy, etc.)
• Project pricing and remuneration strategy
• Establish guidelines and internal procedures around client finance
• Review and authorize all client billing to ensure that it is supported by proper client documentation, is in full compliance with client format, process and compensation methodology, and that there is a “zero tolerance” for data or clerical errors
• Support account teams in preparation of client reconciliations and ad hoc client requests
• Act as key agency contact for client audits

Client Accounting – Ensure that data related to client financial transactions is reliable, timely and accurately accounted for 

• Review client documentation (Statements of Work, fee estimates, purchase orders, etc.) in support of billable projects to ensure they adequately support client accounting transactions
• Support timesheet entry and approval adherence, and review/approve all time transfers between job codes
• Prepare monthly revenue recognition journal entries, ensuring that Billings (P&L), Cost of Billings (P&L), Accrued Revenue (B/S), and Deferred Income (B/S) balances are reconciled and substantiated
• Perform monthly review and maintenance of Accounts Receivable and Work in Progress, identifying potential risks and ensuring that action steps are taken in a timely manner to mitigate those risks
• Monitor and resolve issues related to overdue collections and cash applications

Financial Analysis – Analyze client/project level financial information in support of decision making

• Prepare regular actual vs estimate reporting, and review with account teams to ensure proper tracking against expectations and proactive identification and escalation of issues
• Prepare analysis of client profitability and client realization (effective pricing) for internal business analysis, and corporate reporting where applicable
• Compile and analyze agency staff billability, identifying areas of concern to Finance, HR and Resource Management teams
• Pipeline tracking and win rate analysis

Competencies 
Key competencies that are required to be successful in the role:
• Decision Quality – Makes good decisions, sought out by others for advice and solutions
• Dealing with Ambiguity – Can effectively cope with change, can shift gears comfortably
• Business Acumen – Knowledgeable in policies, practices and trends affecting the business
• Planning – Accurately sets objectives and goals and scopes out tasks and projects

Job Requirements 

Essential
• Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, Business or Accounting/Finance from accredited college / university
• Minimum of 5 years of experience 
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Detail oriented
• Highly organized and able to work according to fixed calendar cycles
• Strong Excel competency

Desirable
• Experience with enterprise bookkeeping software (Peoplesoft, etc)
• Experience in Marketing and Communications or other professional service sector
• Global experience working in a large multinational company

Publicis Health is the largest health-oriented agency network in the world. A division of Publicis Groupe, Publicis Health manages top-tier agencies specializing in promoting innovative solutions in advertising, digital, branding, message delivery, market access, and medical communications. Publicis Health is dedicated to creating experiences that compel action, change lives, and amplify business outcomes. With more than 6,000 employees, Publicis Health manages 15 agency brands in more than 60 offices located in 10 countries.

Our Publicis Groupe motto “Viva La Différence” means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent. 

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive.  Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K,  as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact USMSTACompliance@publicis.com.  All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Compensation Range: $73,910 - $116380 annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 3/11/2025.

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Salary : $73,910 - $116,380