Finance Manager, Digital Studio

This is a Full Time Job

Please note that this role is based in the United Kingdom. To enable us to meet the statutory and regulatory obligations of the United Kingdom immigration system, you must have the appropriate immigration permission needed to work and reside in the United Kingdom for the duration of the employment.

This hands-on role will be responsible for the provision of financial support, including financial planning and budgeting, reporting, production accounting, financial control, compliance and accounting.

The role will work closely with the leadership of the Sony Pictures Digital Studio, the VP Finance, International TV Production for Sony Pictures Entertainment, GFO accounting functions, Corporate Treasury, IT, and others as required.

What you'll do:

Business, operational and production finance support
• Provide financial decision support to the digital studio team on all financial matters
• Support the production department on questions around internal budgeting for all shows
• Establish and maintain proper accounting, tracking and reporting of production costs
• Manage the approval process for cost reports prepared by the production teams
• Support customer and vendor negotiations, giving financial input/feedback on contracts
• Oversee and assist with cost management across channels and operations
• Coordinate and manage MRP (mid-range plan), and annual budgeting cycles
• Working knowledge of film and television production accounting systems preferred
• Perform and report monthly management reviews for P&L, cash flow, working capital and balance sheet, preparing overhead reporting, local management accounts and variance analysis

Financial accounting, audit and transactional support
• Manage and perform the month-end close process, signing off on the trial balance and the monthly Management Pack, tax packs and resolve Home Office enquiries
• Ensure reconciliations between production accounting systems, Costs Reports and SAP are accurate and prepared on a timely basis
• Manage local payment approval and ensure PO and non-PO invoice approvals are in line with SPE approvals (COFA) and journal postings according to the company's financial policies
• Provide information for the production of statutory accounts
• Ensure appropriate information is tracked and retained for the preparation of talent statements
• Provide information for year-end audit and other tax and payroll compliance needs

Control and Risk Management
• Ensure adherence to corporation policies, procedures for financial accounting and reporting and external requirements (IFRS)
• Roll out new corporate policies and procedures as required

Project and Continuous Improvements
• Identify and implement process improvements and enabling tools and systems to provide enhanced financial and operational information
• Support and involvement in ad hoc projects

What you have:
• A keen interest in and experience of the production of digital-first content is preferred
• Professionally qualified (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent)
• Typically requires 5 – 8 years' experience in Finance and in Media, production accounting (film and/or television production)
• Ability to effectively communicate across the Business and Finance organization and demonstrates a willingness to generate and share information.
• Excellent presentational skills – particularly presenting financial information clearly and as simply as possible to ensure key drivers are understood and actionable
• Ability to work closely with management to make informed business decisions
• Excellent Excel skills
• Hands-on working understanding of SAP and/or MS Dynamics 365 Business Central / Just-TV would be advantageous
• Ability to create and oversee the preparation of accurate and thorough financial reports and underlying records.
• Proven experience working in a dynamic, fast-moving and changing environment and managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to establish and build healthy relationships with clients, vendors and peers in an effort to create an environment committed to providing an excellent and continually improving service.
• Read, interpret and draw accurate conclusions from financial and numerical material.
• Motivated by a passion to exceed expectations and to continuously improve

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