Regional Finance Director

**The Role**:
As a Regional Finance Director, you will report directly to the APAC Chief Financial Officer and will be responsible for providing high-quality strategic and technical advice on all business matters. You will demonstrate a growth mindset and proactively collaborate with finance teams across the markets in the APAC to maintain sound business practices and operations and support growth of the business in the APAC.

**Core Responsibilities**

**Regional Financial Reporting**
- Manage the monthly/quarterly financial reporting process for the region
- Ensure the accuracy and timely collection and analysis of financial data
- Reconcile management reporting to GAAP reporting
- Advise CFO/CEO and local leaders/Finance Director on local compliance with reporting requirements
- Serve as an on-call troubleshooter for the regional business

**Regional Business Management**
- Build strong partnership relationships within the Regional Team, Market Leaders and Finance Director
- Co-ordinate inputs to global and regional pitches
- Assist with Key Client Relationship reporting, pricing and contract negotiating
- Work with the Regional CEO and local Market Leaders in the development of the annual budget and forecasts for the region
- Monitor progress against budget/reforecasts, interpret operating results, understand causal relationships and identify corrective actions
- Prepare analysis and business modeling, highlighting risks and opportunities to support commercial decision making
- Know the current financial and operating position of the region and markets at all times
- Manage the analysis, reporting and compliance of regional and market tax and treasury initiatives
- Monitor the billing and collections status of significant clients in the region i.e. Net Working Capital
- Work with local FDs and Client Leaders to ensure timely billing and collections on all clients
- Ensure compliance with write-off and reserve policies
- Create and manage “informal” systems to continue collection efforts after write-offs
- Monitor capital expenditures and ensure they remain within budget
- Coordinate with other regions on client, staff, and billing issues across region

**Market Support-Commercial and Legal**
- Review plans, provide counsel and offer creative solutions to Market Leaders/FDs regarding the financial aspects of new and existing business
- Assist with the markets on clients’ demand on resources
- Review and approve significant contracts and client agreements
- Train all client service staff in economic and business fundamentals
- Assist on local markets’ crisis
- Legal structure - Registered Directorship, Auditor and Supervisor under Company Register in APAC markets
- Assist on the internal audit e.g. WPP IA, SOX Audit, ESG Audit, IT Audit
- Ensure compliance with local tax and statutory regulations

**Regional Policy and Controls - WPP policies, SOX**
- Ensure that all markets maintain the highest level of internal and operating controls and are SOX compliant
- Act as the Regional SOX Controller and the main point of contact with WPP
- Liaise with Global Risk and Control team on Special Projects
- Provide regular guidance to FDs on SOX to ensure effective understanding and commitment
- Asist SOX audits of individual markets
- Audit financial policy adherence and ensure compliance
- Suggest corrective action when significant deviation occurs
- Manage relationships and requirements of Internal and External Auditors

**Staff Development/Resources Management**
- Train the regional staff and all local FDs in relevant accounting policies and controls
- Prepare and act on the Professional Development Plans for all Finance Directors and appropriate regional staff seniors
- Recruit, mentor and coach senior finance staff in the region

**Special Projects Initiatives**
- Lead the implementation and development of any system
- Design processes to standardize and simplify financial reporting and analysis
- Suggest solutions to local statutory issues
- Support regional acquisition and divestiture initiatives
- Manage other projects as assigned

**Other Responsibilities**
- ** Represent the Region to internal and external constituents and serve as an on-call troubleshooter for the regional business**

**Requirements**:

- A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance; CPA/CA qualification is a plus
- 10-12 years of work experience in matrixed organizations in a similar role
- agency experience is a definite plus
- Knowledge and experience of SOX compliance is desirable
- Ability to oversee and partner with finance teams across diverse markets in the APAC
- Excellent written and verbal communication skill in English is a must
- Strong interpersonal skills as well and proven ability to present eloquently and confidently to senior stakeholders
- An effective team player with a keen eye for detail who takes ownership and responsibility and demonstrates a can-do attitude