Manager, Theatrical Product Performance

This is a Full Time Job

Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., a fully integrated, broad-based entertainment company, is a global leader in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment and their related businesses, across all current and emerging media and platforms. The company stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry, from feature films to television, home video/DVD, animation, comic books, interactive entertainment and games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.

We are currently seeking a Manager, Theatrical Product Performance for the Finance Reporting & Budgeting (FRB) department. The position will be responsible for managing the product performance, reporting, and film costing processes for theatrical product within FRB for actual and plan periods. The position will also manage the gathering of life estimates (ultimates) from each distribution division, to review and update the computation of ultimate residual obligations and reporting of consolidated product results. The role will also ensure the appropriateness of residual accruals as well as the amortization of capitalized film costs on a by-title basis for all produced or acquired theatrical product that is not separately accounted for at a divisional level.

The Manager, Theatrical Product Performance will be expected to:

• Oversee the obtaining, tracking and analyzing of ultimate estimates for theatrical produced or acquired product not separately tracked at the individual division level.
• Supervise the preparation of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual theatrical performance reporting to department as well as Senior Management personnel.
• Review and/or prepare computation of ultimate residual expense based on contractual commitments and estimates provided from each of the distribution divisions.
• Determine and communicate procedures to be followed by distribution divisions that provide data.
• Ensure appropriate analytical analysis is completed and communicated to Senior Management and responds to queries related to issued reporting.
• Determine appropriateness of current procedures and processes and is responsible for designing and implementing improvements.
• Establish effective working relationships with other studios on co-financed films.
• Coordinate with department personnel to ensure the appropriate film cost is computed during the financial close as well as during planning cycles.
• Determine the appropriate expense calculation types for each product based on accounting principles in place.
• Review and approve the recording of actual film cost calculated by title and analyzes anomalies and issues.
• Supervise, review and analyze the resulting capitalized film costs for titles under the stewardship of FRB.
• Participate in the analytical review of actual vs. plan performance as it relates to ultimate variances.
• Review and approve the computation of film costs for plan periods (budget and forecast).
• Supervise, review and approve the final capitalized film cost financial statement supporting schedules.
• Coordinate with divisions on costing and reporting of local production products.
• Supervise staff to provide coaching and development.
• Ensure compliance with SOX documentation requirements.
• Incorporate current and future technology to design/redesign processes and reporting as required by Senior Management.

To qualify, the candidate must have:

• Minimum 5-7 years experience in an accounting/budgeting or related environment required
• Previous experience in public accounting and/or the entertainment industry required
• Minimum 2-3 years supervisor experience required
• Film industry experience required. By title reporting, film ultimate accounting, etc. experience strongly preferred.
• BA/BS degree in Accounting, Economics or related field required (advanced degree preferred). CPA/MBA preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and financial statements
• Strong supervisory and personnel development skills; including ability to effectively mentor staff.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel required; familiarity with developing & utilizing macros in Excel required
• SAP BW/BPS experience preferred.