Senior Financial Analyst, Global Financial Operations

Job Description

Senior Financial Analyst, Global Financial Operations

Summary: SPE Finance and Accounting is currently defining its roadmap to transform the organization from a Line of Business and territory orientation to one which is global, enterprise-based, focusing on process improvement, standardization, efficient use of technology and reducing complexity. 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.

The Senior Financial Analyst for the RTR Global Financial Operations (GFO) – Motion Picture Group (MPG) will be responsible for accounting, financial reporting and related analysis functions coupled with continuous improvement, standardization and simplification of those functions and outputs for the MPG Line of Business. This individual will also work closely with SPE's outsource accounting provider, CapGemini, and will be responsible for providing training and oversight of the MPG Accounting team members at CapGemini. A successful candidate will approach this position with a constructive mindset to challenge the status quo, aiming to redesign the accounting function under an outsource model supported by Capgemini.

Responsibility:

Review Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP) agreements for titles releasing during the month to ensure proper accounting policies are followed and liaise with territory GFO/FD accordingly;

Review master data for SPIP titles and coordinate update if necessary; Perform catalog amortization analysis (monthly / annually) and record journal entries to ensure appropriate rates have been applied and amortization posted for SPIP;
• Review released title amortization and provide explanations on main drivers;
• Monitor trial balances for each SPIP territory and coordinate with local office for explanations;
• Run report to identify unsettled production costs, investigate and follow up as necessary;
• Review month end close tasks performed by CapGemini and provide assistance if necessary;
• Review Corporate reports and schedules prepared by CapGemini Team Compile month end reports and research variances;
• Liaise with Divisional Finance to ensure accuracy and coordinate with CapGemini for reclass entries;
• Prepare cash flow actual reports, compare against budget/forecast and review with Divisional Finance;
• Prepare statutory and tax audit requests, with a mindset of building processes that can be transitioned to CapGemini in the future;
• Prepare and submit submissions to PWC;
• Preparation and review of schedules provided to external auditors, including coordination of Sarbanes Oxley (''SOX'') internal control requests;
• Prepare Revenue and Operating Income reconciliation against budget/forecast, with input from Divisional Finance;
• Define, refine and implement all aspects of the ''GFO Model''. This includes active participation in defining the interaction model with MPG ITF, Capgemini, and the MPG commercial teams as needed; playing an integral role in maintaining a strong control environment; executing on the appropriate reviews and feedback mechanisms;
• Help to 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: Simplification, Standardization, Elimination and Robotization (ESOAR).

Required:
• Strong Accounting experience (Public Accounting experience is a plus), minimum 3+ years;
• Experience with complex ERP systems and General Ledger postings (SAP a plus);
• Basic understanding of film accounting is a plus;
• Strong MS Excel skills required (Modeling, VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, VBA Macros, etc.);
• Experience providing oversight and review of shared service centers a plus;
• 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;
• Ability to develop, prepare and present issues/projects/presentations to co-workers and senior management;
• Strong level of communication and interpersonal skills working with staff in multiple time zones and countries;
• Change agent mindset;

Desired Requirements:
• Flexible working hours
• Understanding of the entertainment business

Required Education:
• BS in Accountancy
• CPA

* Sony Pictures - CA - Culver City Area & Studios

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rop702-18-221-239-148-42 in your application.