VP Accounting

Position Summary

The Controller oversees all accounting operations for the company's film, television, and digital media businesses, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting. This role manages a large accounting team, maintains strong internal controls, and partners with production, distribution, and corporate departments to support financial decision-making. The Controller plays a key leadership role in optimizing financial systems, managing audits, and ensuring compliance with industry accounting standards and guild/regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Oversee all general ledger accounting functions, consolidations, and reporting across multiple entities, including production subsidiaries and joint ventures.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end closes.
• Manage preparation of GAAP-compliant financial statements and internal management reports.
• Oversee revenue recognition for film, TV, and licensing deals, including complex participation, backend, and amortization schedules (per ASC 606 / ASC 926).
• Partner with FP&A and production finance teams to ensure alignment between actuals, budgets, and forecasts.
• Coordinate and manage annual audits, ensuring timely completion and clean audit opinions.

Production Accounting Oversight

• Supervise production accounting for film, television, and streaming projects, including cost tracking, cash flow forecasting, and wrap reporting.
• Ensure proper capitalization and amortization of production costs under industry-specific accounting guidance.
• Oversee guild residuals, participations, and profit reporting functions.
• Liaise with production finance teams to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with union, guild, and studio requirements.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Develop and maintain internal controls and accounting policies consistent with SOX or equivalent standards.
• Oversee system integration and process improvements across financial systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Net Suite, or entertainment-specific ERPs).
• Ensure compliance with tax and regulatory requirements, including state production incentives and international reporting obligations.
• Lead initiatives to strengthen operational efficiency and financial transparency.

Leadership & Team Management

• Manage and mentor a team of accounting professionals, including assistant controllers, production accountants, and reporting analysts.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Production, FP&A, and Corporate Development teams to support strategic initiatives and deal structuring.

Strategic Support

• Provide the CFO and executive leadership with timely and accurate financial insights and analysis.
• Support due diligence and integration efforts for acquisitions, co-productions, and partnerships.
• Contribute to long-term planning, system modernization, and automation projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA required, MBA a plus.
• 10-15 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role in the entertainment industry (film, TV, or media).
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, entertainment accounting standards (ASC 926, ASC 920), and multi-entity consolidations.
• Experience with participation accounting, residuals, and revenue recognition for licensing and distribution.
• Advanced proficiency with major ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Net Suite) and entertainment accounting tools (e.g., Smart Accounting, PSL, Media Services).
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and deadline-driven environment.