Assistant Manager, Finance - Media Networks, Global Financial Operations

Full Time Job
Sony Pictures Entertainment's (SPE) Global Financial Operations (GFO), is a global enterprise focusing on process improvement, standardization, reducing complexity, and the use of technology. The global team's objectives are to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the overall team while enhancing the value and accessibility of the data created by the accounting processes which will enable the commercial teams to drive toward greater revenue growth and margin improvements. GFO serves as a liaison point between the lines of business and SPE's third party provider of accounting services, Capgemini.

The GFO team is also responsible for the delivery of accurate, compliant and timely financial statements and partners with the Financial Planning & Analysis/Commercial Finance teams whose focus is to improve revenue and reduce costs as well as forecast performance.

The Assistant Manager, Finance - Media Networks, GFO is based in our Manila offices and will be responsible for assisting the Manager, Finance - Media Networks, GFO, with the review of the financial statements and month end close reporting submission of monthly and quarterly close activities and associated analysis functions coupled with continuous improvement, standardization and simplification of those functions and outputs for the Media Networks portfolio.

Core Responsibilities Include:
• Assist the Media Networks GFO team with the monthly/quarterly close process
• Assist the Media Networks GFO team with reporting submissions to Corporate
• Play a key role in the successful transition of the accounting processes from Divisional Finance (DF) to GFO then further on to Capgemini as applicable
• Supervise and review month end close processes including: reviews and approvals of journal entries and relevant support, monthly management reporting consisting of management book, balance sheet, cashflow and disclosure forms
• Actively liaise with the local finance team and FP&A team to understand and precisely explain variances between actual results and budgets/forecasts
• Support the Team to coordinate completion of monthly financial statements and reporting, quarterly and annual internal reviews and external audits
• Supervise BPO to manage checklists and stay on top of additions and changes
• Supervise and approve tax packages and requests from the tax department
• Work closely with other Sony Pictures Television (SPT) finance functional groups such as billing and collection and accounts payable
• Supervise the completion of ad hoc projects timely and accurately
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with BPO, operations and corporate management
• Define, refine and implement all aspects of the ''GFO Model''. This includes active participation in defining the interaction model with FP&A, Capgemini, and the SPE departments as needed; playing an integral role in maintaining a strong control environment; executing on the appropriate reviews and feedback mechanisms.
• Identify and implement opportunities to eliminate low value work and standardize processes which will reduce complexity and enable greater benefits to be derived from technology (RPA, SAP S4/Hana, etc.)
• Foster an environment which embraces change and thrives in dynamic situations which can often have both unclear and uncertain outcomes
• Champion the concepts of: Eliminate, Standardize, Optimize, Automate, Robotize (ESOAR)

Candidate Requirements:
• Minimum Bachelor's in Accountancy
• Typically 4 to 6 years of strong Accounting experience (Public Accounting experience is a plus)
• Experience with complex ERP systems and General Ledger postings (SAP a plus)
• Understanding of Entertainment industry accounting is a plus
• Strong MS Excel skills required (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, VBA Macros, etc.)
• Ability to quickly grasp new concepts and problem solve with reasonable independence
• Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple projects while working in a cross functional team environment
• Ability to follow-through with co-workers on projects/tasks by setting guidelines, timetables and clear sense of expectations
• Strong level of communication and interpersonal skills working with staff in multiple time zones and countries
• Change agent mindset
• Willing to work night shift (12am to 9am Manila time) and is open to flexible working hours
• Demonstrates cultural tolerance as well as empathy and compassion

Sony Pictures Entertainment is committed to equal opportunity in all its employment practices, policies and procedures. No worker or potential worker will therefore receive less favourable treatment due to any characteristic which is protected by applicable law, for example including their race, age, creed, sexual orientation, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, religion, gender, marital status or Trade Union membership (if applicable).

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