Director, Production Finance

Job Description

THE DIVISON'S STORY
Most people don't realize the importance of the Finance department in keeping our business operating without hitches and delays. That's probably because we oversee many of the more quietly glamorous, back-office functions that drive our bottom line. We not only forecast, build and manage budgets, we also collect and analyze important data that helps leadership make the best decisions. All of this sounds exciting to you because you love numbers and spreadsheets, and especially love great entertainment.

• Hands-on position working directly with the VP Production Finance, providing financial expertise on budgets, cost reporting, and cash flows.
• Must be proficient in several areas of production finance and able to answer questions or inquiries in relation to budgets.
• Candidate must have and cultivate relationships with accountants, line producers and UPM's.

MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Director Production Finance:
• Develop show (Pilot, Series, MOW'S) budgets to accurately reflect estimated net costs in a timely manner for AETN and 3rd Party clients. Must understand and be able to break down a script for budgeting.
• Implement and disseminate Guild and Union rates and fringes including but not limited to Area Standards, Background jurisdictions, current fringe rates, and best industry practices.
• Comprehensive understanding of tax incentives (both domestic and foreign)with a thorough understanding of crew base, estimated travel, and living rates, proper jurisdiction of required personnel, etc.
• Vetting of budgets submitted from outside sources. Understanding ATL Guild rates and fringes, insuring tax incentive lines for labor or non-labor have been properly flagged, ensuring fringes are properly reflected and that travel has been calculated accurately, etc.
• Vet, hire and oversee Production Accountants and Production Accounting Staff.
• Initiate, implement and audit financial policies and procedures.
• Stay current on the competitive landscape and development needs of the A&E Networks Production Finance group, as well as external networks.
• Set-up bank accounts and prepare tax credit applications working with Corporate Tax and Corporate Accounting.
• Collaborate on foreign exchange buys and track rates for maximum financial benefits working with Corporate Treasury.
• Daily interaction working with Production and Post Production teams for budget oversight and tracking.
• Manage wrap accounting process and production audits.
• Fluency in creating and managing reporting documents such as: Cash Flows- Required once a show has been greenlit.
• Topsheet Comparison - may be requested to illustrate variances between cities/countries for the same project, or between miscellaneous projects.
• Other Ad Hoc Analyses – may include a more granular investigation of specific accounts to help illustrate cost/spend trends to alert management to potential budget controls and conclusions.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

You will learn to operate & communicate directly with all studio departments/groups on a very detailed level. Our work environment is collaborative with a hands-on approach. Production Finance & Budgeting flows from production to studio, and up to our corporate partners under different reporting mechanisms. That workflow will provide exposure and opportunities to learn how all elements of production impact our bottom line financials.

YOUR STORY:
• Minimum 5-7 years of production accounting experience in scripted television
• Excellent organizational skills
• Must be able to multi-task, handle multiple productions and proficient with budgeting, scheduling, and Excel
• Excellent communication and management skills
• Ability to develop external relationships within the Film and Television community and with senior executives
• Fluency in insurance matters and issues related to production
• Ability to make decisions and problem solve in a collegial environment
• A passionate commitment to quality entertainment
• Some travel required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience as a location accountant with extensive travel
• Understanding and execution with PSL, Global Vista, and Movie Mag

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d8oymr-3-137-218-230-42 in your application.