Staff Accountant - Royalties & Revenue Share

Job Description

Fanatics is expanding into the booming trading cards and collectibles business with a new model and vision for the hobby that will fundamentally change the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and players across many sports.

With trading cards and collectibles being a significant pillar of Fanatics’ long-term plans to become the leading global digital sports platform, Fanatics Collectibles, a subsidiary of Fanatics, was launched in 2021 after securing long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several sports properties, including MLB, MLBPA, NBA, NBPA and NFLPA. Fanatics is the majority owner of Fanatics Collectibles, with leagues, players associations and investors owning the rest.

In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of Topps, the preeminent licensed trading card brand that has serviced collectors, fans, and retailers for more than 70 years. The deal, which included both the Topps physical and digital divisions, established the iconic trading cards company as the cornerstone of Fanatics’ trading cards and collectibles business and jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards, which begin in 2022 versus the original joint start date of 2026.

Fanatics Collectibles is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Staff Accountant to join the Royalty Accounting team, reporting directly to the Supervisor of the Royalty and Revenue Share team.

Fanatics is searching for a staff accountant that will be part of its Collectibles Royalty and Revenue Share Team. This role will include preparing royalty and revenue share calculation accrual entries, royalty reports and royalty payments. They will communicate with license partners as well as other internal and external parties, ensure compliance with Licensor Agreements with royalty and revenue share obligations.

The individual will work cross-departmentally and collaboratively with others on the team.

• Performs month-end close process including preparation of royalty accruals, estimates and prepaid royalty entries.
• Prepare licensee partners royalty reporting, reviewing for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with license agreement requirements.
• Thoroughly understand license agreements and monitor to ensure financial contractual obligations are met throughout all business interactions across assigned licensees.
• Track licensee guarantees, excess royalty payments, and determine royalty shortfall amounts, if applicable.
• Assist with quarterly and annual audit requests from external auditors.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations for Prepaid and Accrued Royalties.
• Maintain/recommend a strong financial controls environment and compliance with SOX processes.

• Able to research and respond promptly to all license partner inquiries and requests with accuracy and professionalism.
• Positively impact the speed and ease for licensees to conduct business with the company.
• Ability to effectively communicate with clients, licensees, and colleagues, including complex royalty accounting issues, errors, or opportunities for improvement.

The ideal candidate will possess the following credentials:

• Bachelor (or higher) degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 2-3 years of accounting experience, preferably with royalty accounting exposure (music, consumer products, publishing, etc.).
• Strong understanding of US GAAP and internal controls, with experience and proficiency in researching technical accounting issues.
• Experience handling annual audits and working with internal and external audit functions.
• Desire to develop and continuously improve processes.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and stringent deadlines within a fast-paced, evolving environment, with the ability to quickly learn new processes, systems, and business models.
• Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.
• Must have strong analytical skills and strong attention to detail.
• Must have excellent communication skills – verbal and written.
• Ability to…