Senior Director, Global Studios Content Accounting

Posted:
8/4/2024, 5:00:00 PM

Location(s):
California, United States ⋅ Burbank, California, United States

Experience Level(s):
Senior

Field(s):
Accounting

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role

The Senior Director, Global Studios Content Accounting is responsible for global by-title content accounting accuracy and completeness for all Studios’ Feature Film and Television content. This includes ensuring accurate accounting for balance sheet and p&l results for capitalized film costs, participation liabilities and residuals liabilities.  This role is a key leadership position within the Studios Controller organization.

    

     Your Role Accountabilities

  • Lead the Studios global content accounting team for all produced, acquired, co-financed or distributed content by the Studios segment.  Overall responsibilities include, but are not limited to, ensuring all deadlines are met, financial statements and SEC disclosures are accurate, P&L/Balance Sheet/Cash Flows are complete and accurate, providing career and professional development/coaching to team members, and implementing process improvements to drive operational efficiencies and effectiveness.
  • Ensure Studios content is accounted for correctly and in accordance with US GAAP, in particular ASC 926 for actuals. Manage the Ultimates process for all content accounting which consists of reviewing BU Ultimate submissions for reasonableness. Using ultimates to calculate film costs to ensure amortization, participation and residual expenses are accurate.  Has primary responsibility to ensure Studios participation and residual liabilities are accurate in the balance sheet and classifications are appropriate. Assess need for film/tv impairments and oversee the preparation and review of discounted cash flow models in determining if impairment is needed.  Review all participation and residual models to ensure obligations to 3rd parties, including unions and co-fi partners are accurate and complete. 
  • Plan, manage and review the monthly quantitative and qualitative content amortization analysis for Studios content assets. Review and analyze consolidated divisional gross profit reports for film and tv product lines. This area represents a significant accounting estimate and requires a high degree of management judgment, proper review of methodologies and appropriate use of film/tv ultimate assumptions.  Ensure all balance sheet reconciliations for this area are accurate and with proper documentation to support balances.
  • Provide leadership and management of key system and process integrations in the content accounting area and ERP initiatives.
  • Establish and build relationships with key stakeholders in Finance, Controllership, FCRA, Business and Legal Affairs, and other areas. Leverage experiences to grow into the subject matter expert in content accounting and deliver high quality direction and advice in the content accounting space. Prepare for and participate in accounting/finance leadership meetings and other ad-hoc tasks as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

  • At least 10 years of work experience in an accounting role and a strong understanding of US GAAP for the Film/TV Industry
  • Minimum of 6 years of experience in a supervisory/leadership role
  • Public accounting and entertainment industry experience
  • BS/BA in Accounting from an accredited university
  • Master’s degree in Accounting or MBA a plus
  • CPA Required
  • Proven accounting experience with US GAAP content accounting requirements a plus
  • Demonstrated background successfully leading a large global accounting team, including teams located in international offices
  • Attention to detail, accuracy and strong organizational skills
  • Experience with SAP or other large ERP system required
  • Excellent knowledge of MS Office
  • Ability to meet deadlines under pressure
  • Capacity to effectively manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
  • Embraces change driven by evolving business initiatives and maintains positivity when time-sensitive milestones shift
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Must be able to work collaboratively with cross-functional team members at all levels
  • Experience implementing best practices that require significant innovation for improving processes by applying advanced understanding of complex functional/technical and business issues and challenges
  • Ability to anticipate resource requirements and to make adjustments based on emerging issues and priorities
  • Legal right to work in the United States

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/  along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at [email protected].

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery’s total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $145,250.00 - $269,750.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.

Warner Bros.

Website: https://www.warnerbros.com/

Headquarter Location: Burbank, California, United States

Employee Count: 10001+

Year Founded: 1918

IPO Status: Private

Industries: Art ⋅ Digital Entertainment ⋅ Film ⋅ Film Production ⋅ Telecommunications ⋅ TV Production