Financial Controller

Job Description

A well-established and growing company in the entertainment and advertising industry is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to take full ownership of the company's financial operations. This is a confidential search being conducted on behalf of a respected production and creative services organization. This is a fully onsite position and remote or hybrid arrangements are not available.

About the Role

The Financial Controller will serve as the senior financial leader, responsible for maintaining the integrity of all accounting functions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and providing accurate, timely financial reporting to ownership. This is a hands-on role ideal for someone who thrives in a smaller, fast-paced creative environment where no two days, or two projects, are the same. The ideal candidate brings deep production accounting expertise, comfort navigating union and guild requirements, and the professionalism to handle sensitive financial matters with absolute discretion. Experience working directly with directors, talent, and creative leadership is essential, as is the ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee all accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and bank reconciliations. Manage production accounting across multiple concurrent projects, including job costing, budget tracking, and wrap reporting. Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Ensure compliance with SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA, and other union and guild agreements, including pension, health, and residual obligations. Manage the annual audit process and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax filings, including production-related tax incentives and credits. Develop and maintain internal controls to safeguard company assets and protect confidential client and project information. Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital across projects with varying billing cycles. Prepare and manage profit schedules across projects, tracking margins and flagging variances to ownership. Review, interpret, and ensure financial compliance with Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and scopes of work, collaborating with producers and account teams to align budgets with contractual obligations. Coordinate with external tax advisors on corporate tax planning and filings. Identify opportunities to streamline and improve financial processes and systems.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance (CPA strongly preferred). 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a controller or senior accounting role. Demonstrated production accounting experience within the entertainment, advertising, or media industry. Strong working knowledge of union and guild agreements (SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA, etc.) and related payroll and benefits compliance. Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and audit processes. Experience with entertainment or production payroll systems (e.g., Entertainment Partners, Cast & Crew, or similar). Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage, or similar platforms) and advanced Excel skills. Experience managing profit schedules and project-level profitability reporting. Familiarity with MSAs, scopes of work, and production-related contract structures. Proven ability to work directly with directors, talent, and creative teams with professionalism and discretion. Exceptional discretion and integrity when handling confidential business, client, and talent information. Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and adapt to the fast-moving pace of a creative business.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-23n7y6-216-73-216-222-42 in your application.