Manager, TV Cost Financial Systems and Master Data

Job Description

Responsibilities
Job Purpose
Universal Studio Group (USG) is a fast-growing content production segment newly formed to be the leading provider of domestic and global premium content for internal and external platforms. TV cost accounting and its supporting finance systems that provide the foundational accuracy and integrity of the production operations is critical to our success as a business in delivering insightful financial reporting to make timely decisions in a competitive landscape.

Manager of TV Cost Financial Systems and Master Data will be one of two key supports of the SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC) application as well as the lead on managing the programming and production master data process for the Universal Studio Groups (USG). This role must be able to deliver accurate and timely accounting close results and financial plans/budgets for all of USG controllership and FP&A through effective controls, accurate master data, as well as methodical computations and configurations in respective financial systems.

This role will report to the VP, TV Cost and Reporting with a dotted line to the Director, Systems, TV Production & Distribution of the Universal Studio Group.

Responsibilities

Financial Systems
Develop and enhance production finance systems. Support implementation of new accounting guidance, controls as well as process improvements within these systems.

SAP BPC EPM System (SMART application) – Able to provide functional expertise and administrative support of this financial application for key users from multiple business units' (USG, First Run, and Telemundo) Controllership and Finance team in performing Ultimate accounting.

As part of the monthly close, Controllership uses the SMART application to calculate and post amortization expense, Finance uses the SMART application to review monthly performance at the title level as well as total studio level for accuracy and vs. budget and pacing forecasts. The SMART system consolidates the actuals and forecasts into full P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow reports and presentations. Robust reporting will be at both a studio level and down to lowest level possible episodically.

Key stakeholders and users of SMART include TV Production Finance, TV Distribution, USG Controllership and FP&A, Domestic & International Home Video, Digital, Participations & Residuals, and IT-technical support.

Key areas of SAP BPC EPM (SMART application) focuses are:

System Administration – Data and dimensions management (Maintain metadata and integrity of Title dimension and support Account, Category, Profit Center and other dimensions).

Interface & Calculation – Manage data mapping requirements as needed including SAP and its respective subledger systems indicated below. Design and automate required calculation in delivery of required financial results per Generally Accepted Accounting Guidelines.

Monthly Accounting Close – Calculation of ''by title'' amortization expense and posting into SAP general ledger. Review amortization results through respective verification and reconciliation schedules for TV cost including Participation and Residuals. Monthly financial close support will include both ''Pre'' and ''Post'' amortization journal posting.

Key Control – Provide supporting and reconciliation schedules to verify financial results and data integrity as needed (monthly actual result reconciliations and quarterly Controllership Workbook schedules for review SMART and SAP data).

Support – Support of International and Telemundo SAP BPC EPM applications as needed. Assess and grant business user access. Provide user training.

Master Data & Reporting
Global Title Management (GTM) – Manage and ensure accurate set up and interface of all show titles, series, specials and development WBSEs into the downstream SMART system and SAP financial ledger. Leverage technology platforms to drive automated process and control.

MicroStrategy/Vista (Production) – Leverage production spend and tax credit tracking in these Production Finance reporting tools, to provide transparency of critical (material) and/or anomaly of production related spend to Corporate controllership team.

PARIS (Participation and Residuals) – Manage and ensure accurate set up and interfaces of newly established participations and residuals calculations for the SMART ultimate process driven from PARIS system implemented business changes.

GRU/Café (Contract and Revenue) – Support business related changes from the billing and revenue recognition system. Ensure all related system interfaces are accurate and configured properly through proper documentation.

Financial Reporting – Create and maintain production driven financial ledger set up and hierarchies that supports the management reporting such as annual budget, short term pacing, and long range planning for FP&A team as well as monthly close and quarterly controllership workbook reconciliation of USG business segment (UTV, UCP, UTAS, ITVP, and International formats).
Operational Efficiency and Effectiveness

Provide support as business requirement changes and evolve through navigating short term and long-term strategies. Identify and participate in process improvement initiatives and opportunities to build efficiencies into existing reporting routines within USG ''Record to Report'' process. Improvement initiatives will focus on integrated processes with SAP and it's respective subledgers. Projects to be established from planned quarterly meetings with the USG-FP&A and Production Finance team. Plan, Implement, and execute project priorities by collaborating and driving results with IT partners and key business users through effective project management.

Qualifications/Requirements
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration and/or Information Systems or related field
• Minimum 5 years of financial accounting skills and controls experience preferred
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office, including working knowledge of Excel
• ERP system knowledge such as SAP and PeopleSoft
• Entertainment Industry experience preferred

Eligibility Requirements:
• Interested candidates must submit a resume/CV online to be considered
• Must be willing to work in Universal City, CA
• Must have work authorization to work in the United States

Desired Characteristics

Desired Characteristics:
• The ability to plan and organize work for self and others to meet tight deadlines.
• Well-developed organizing skills to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Strong collaboration, organizational, leadership, communication and customer service skills with great attention to detail.
• Ability to build and lead an effective team and can stand alone on identifying opportunities and improving efficiencies.
• Thorough professional training and expert in accounting principles, systems and controls, and advanced analytical skills/insights.
• A good understanding of database systems and computer literacy in relevant accounting systems.
• Exceptional management and interpersonal skills are required.
• Must be able to motivate beyond organizational lines to successfully achieve objectives.
• Confidence to represent the Finance function and influence associates across all level.
• Able to identify and mitigate risks that could jeopardize USG operation.
• Recommend innovative changes in the measurement and the reporting of business performance that meet the dynamic needs of the corporation.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gkkp74-18-224-63-87-42 in your application.