Junior Financial Controller

About the role

This position is responsible for the financial reporting and control of WPP Media in Düsseldorf, Germany. The role ensures that accurate financial data and compliant processes are delivered to support management decision-making within a global media network. You will own key aspects of the close cycle, ensuring that all deliverables meet the high standards of accuracy and auditability required in a regulated environment. The position acts as a critical link between detailed accounting execution and strategic financial insight, translating data into clear narratives for stakeholders. You will work within tight monthly and annual calendars, navigating deadlines that are directly tied to business performance and group governance. Success in this role requires a balance of technical rigor and proactive communication to maintain the integrity of financial systems. The work is precise, deadline-driven, and forms the foundation for reliable business insights across the media organization.

Key facts

What you'll do

Prepare data and background information for management reports, and produce forecasts and budgets following precise group guidelines.

Ensure data quality in ERP and BI systems through validation and reconciliation as part of financial control activities.

Improve reporting processes and automate workflows to increase efficiency for finance stakeholders and to meet audit requirements.

Create ad hoc analyses to address specific management questions and to support strategy formulation within the global media network.

Ensure the completeness of documentation for SOX and other audits to support compliance requirements for the finance team.

Perform variance analysis to explain financial results and drive discussions around business performance with operational partners.

Manage relationships with internal stakeholders to gather inputs, clarify requirements, and ensure timely delivery of financial deliverables.

Support the implementation and optimization of financial controls within the media network to enhance transparency and reliability.

Assist in the coordination of external audit activities by providing necessary documentation and explanations in a timely manner.

Contribute to the development of financial models that support scenario planning and decision-making processes at various levels of the organization.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of media industry financial trends and regulations to ensure contextually relevant reporting and analysis.

Requirements

Very good Excel skills are required, and initial experience with ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 is expected for this role.

Basic knowledge of SQL or BI tools is an advantage for data analysis and system validation.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is mandatory for this position in the finance function.

You must demonstrate strong attention to detail to ensure accuracy in financial reporting, compliance, and audit documentation.

You must be able to work full-time in Dusseldorf, Germany, and comply with local employment regulations and data protection laws.

You must have the legal right to work in Germany without requiring sponsorship for this role at this time.

You must be fluent in German and English to communicate effectively with global teams and stakeholders.

You must have a foundational understanding of financial principles and accounting practices relevant to media and technology environments.

You must be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining high standards of accuracy.

You must be willing to engage in continuous learning to adapt to evolving media, technology environments, and regulatory requirements.

Practical notes

Employment is subject to data protection policies for Germany and other applicable laws governing personal information.

Typical interview steps

Finance interviews usually include technical questions on accounting or modeling, a case study, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to build a forecast or explain a variance. Spreadsheet skills are tested in most loops. Accuracy and clear explanations matter. Interviewers may give a real dataset and ask for a quick analysis. Showing your work and explaining assumptions matters as much as the final number.

Good to know

Media finance roles blend accounting discipline with business insight to guide strategic decisions in a global environment. Mastery of spreadsheets and data platforms is essential for modern finance operations and system integration. Clear communication in German and English fosters effective collaboration across global teams and stakeholders. Continuous learning helps professionals adapt to evolving media and technology environments and regulatory requirements. attention to detail ensures accuracy in financial reporting, compliance, and audit documentation.

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show preparation.

Career growth

Finance careers move from analyst to senior analyst, manager, and controller or FP&A director levels. Some people earn certifications such as CPA or CFA. Cross-functional work with operations and leadership grows with seniority. Finance careers reward precision early and business partnership later. Learning the operations of the company beyond the numbers accelerates growth.