Senior Financial Analyst

Reporting Location:  Chicago - 345 North Morgan
Workplace Type:  Hybrid

ABOUT US

tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world’s leading brands. With 1,200+ employees across 26 countries, we offer an impressive range of solutions – from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.

 

Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald’s, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas.

 

Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.

 

WHAT MATTERS THE MOST

Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving.

 

tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com.

 

WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE

The Senior Finance Analyst, Client Finance is responsible for providing financial support for the North America Agency, with a focus on business partnering and client analysis, including detailed financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, monthly close, profitability reporting and analysis, and strategic support to drive financial performance. This role will involve close collaboration with various departments, client leads, and the broader Finance organization, to deliver actionable insights that enhance decision-making and contribute to the agency’s growth and optimize client relationships.

 

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION

 

Financial Planning & Analysis: 

  • Client Compensation/Pricing: Prepare and analyze pricing estimates for Agency retainers and projects ensuring accuracy, adherence to contractual terms and appropriate level of profitability. Support supervisor in securing appropriate client approvals and documentation.
  • Business Partnering: Act as a financial business partner to client account teams. Provide financial insights to support pricing strategies, contract negotiations, and decision-making processes.
  • Plan/Forecast/Close Process: Take a leading role in the development of annual client financial plans in collaboration with client teams and supervisor and based on historical data, pipeline opportunities, and market trends.  Prepare and input monthly/quarterly revenue and expense forecast following Agency calendar. Prepare monthly journal entries to ensure proper revenue and client expense recognition in accordance with revenue recognition guidelines and monthly close schedule. 
  • Client Profitability: Prepare and present monthly client P&L, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in all reporting.  Evaluate key performance metrics including client profitability, resource allocation, unbillable costs, GM progess, and project efficiency. Provide meaningful commentary on performance metrics and discuss/address with appropriate agency stakeholders.  Identify strategies for improving client margins and managing costs.
  • Agency Reporting: Analyze and explain any revenue and expense variances against annual plan/forecast/prior year.  Provide meaningful commentary with a focus on client performance, revenue trends, and business development opportunities.
  • Trade Working Capital Management: Analyze all TWC components to achieve established targets. Collaborate with billing analyst to ensure invoicing is accurate, timely, and issued in accordance with client contractual billing guidelines. Update account teams on TWC issues driving for follow-up as needed. Resolve and escalate TWC issues as required. 
  • Ad-Hoc Analysis: Perform ad-hoc financial analysis as needed, including for new business opportunities and competitive benchmarking, to support various teams and initiatives across the agency. Monitor and action missing time.

 

Process Improvement:

  • Efficiency Optimization: Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes and improve the efficiency of Finance activities. Implement best practices and innovative approaches.
  • Technology & Tools: Leverage financial planning tools, ERP systems, and business intelligence platforms to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of financial analysis and reporting.  Be an expert in our financial reporting and budgeting system, Hyperion.
  • Process Creation: Establish well-defined, organized, efficient, and documented processes for Client Finance tasks.

Mentorship & Development:

  • Team Collaboration: Work closely with finance team members, providing guidance and support to ensure the accuracy and quality of financial analysis.
  • Continuous Learning: Stay up to date with industry trends, client news, financial best practices, and emerging technologies to continuously improve the Client Finance function.

 

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE

  • Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or Accounting
  • 4+ years of relevant work experience, service industry background a plus
  • Advanced knowledge of Excel and financial software (e.g., NetSuite, Adaptive, Hyperion).  Familiarity with business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) preferred.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to translate findings into actionable solutions.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.  Capable of presenting complex financial data to senior leadership and non-financial stakeholders.
  • High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

 

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Nearest Major Market: Chicago