Client Finance Manager - Freelance

Client Finance Manager - Freelance

Location: NYC

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150 offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Position Summary

The Client Finance Manager (CFM) will be the liaison between finance, account and project management to ensure all client financial obligations are met.

The CFM role supports the preparation, review, and management of client budgets as well as performing standard accounting functions such as AP, AR, and billing.

This position requires heavy use of Microsoft Excel in addition to Financial and Project Management software programs.

Responsibilities

• Review client actuals YTD in comparison to client budgets, prep reports for agency team members to review and approve prior client billing.
• Point of contact for A/P related questions
• Create and maintain supplier POs regularly and assist in identifying changes and updating records
• Ensure timely fee and expense billing through coordination between shared service center and account management
• Ensure that all jobs, monthly, quarterly, and final reconciliations are completed in a timely manner, and in compliance with contract
• Monitor status of open POs to assure on-time collection of outstanding vendor bills
• Open and close jobs
• Collect and organize new vendor set up documentation and submit for review
• Responsible for completing and submitting corporate expense reports on behalf of executive management
• Participate in financial meetings and assist in any financial issue that may need to be resolved
• SOX Audit assistance pertaining to Client invoicing, AP, and Media related findings
• Monitor and report client spend versus budget to key internal stakeholders on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with internal teams.
• May be asked to perform other duties as needed.

Qualifications:

• Proficient with Excel (Pivot tables, Data Visualization, VLOOKUP, SUMIF, etc.)
• Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail and demonstrated professionalism
• Ability to generate new out of the box ideas
• Ability to proactive and multi-task with the capability of adjusting to changing priorities, sometimes daily
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish, develop, and maintain business relationships
• Great at solving unstructured problems with little to no supervision in a fast-paced, high stakes environment
• Demonstrates a strong ability to contribute to the business along with business unit team members and managers; establish collaborative relationships with peers

Education & Experience:

BS degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration desired

Advertising Agency experience a major plus

Workday software experience a major plus

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.