Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.
Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
More about the role:
Burson is hiring an experienced Financial Controller on a 3‑month fixed‑term contract to lead a comprehensive deep dive and clean‑up of the UK balance sheet for multiple group agencies. Reporting to UK CFO, you will deliver a robust, audit‑ready balance sheet pack and handover.
Key Objectives
- Achieve full, documented reconciliation of every balance sheet account
- Support Clearing aged, unreconciled, and suspense items
What you'll do:
- Balance sheet integrity
- Review reconciliations of all accounts: cash/bank, AR/AP, WIP/unbilled, accrued income/expenses, prepayments, deferred income, provisions, VAT/PAYE, payroll liabilities, intercompany, fixed assets & depreciation, other debtors/creditors
- Validate cut‑off, classification, and valuation; recommend any correcting journals
- Investigate variances and aged balances; agree write‑offs, reclassifications with stakeholders
- Clear any suspense accounts
- Ageing review for Trade Debtors/ Accrued Revenue and WIP - supporting stakeholders to resolve aged items
- Ensure relevant controls in place
- Deliver a balance sheet analysis pack with risks/opportunities and recommendations
Experience that contributes to success:
- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with 7+ years’ experience in controlling/technical accounting
- Proven track record in balance sheet remediation, reconciliations, and controls in services/agency environments
- Advanced Excel; comfortable with BI tools (Power BI/Tableau) and major ERPs
- Detail‑driven, hands‑on, and calm under compressed timelines; excellent communication and stakeholder management
#LI-CY1
Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.
At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.
We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
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