Manager, Payroll
Sony Pictures
Culver City, CA
Manager, Global Finance Operations
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, reducing complexity and efficient use of technology. 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 Manager for the RTR GFO – 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.
Responsibilities to the GFO:
• Play a key role in the successful transition to Capgemini of MPG accounting processes existing at SPE in Culver City;
• Define, refine and implement all aspects of the ''GFO Model''. This includes active participation in defining the interaction model with MPG FP&A, 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;
• Post stabilization of the transfer, when transformation will become the focus and priority: 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.);
• Help foster an environment which embraces change and thrives in dynamic situations which can often have both unclear and uncertain outcomes;
• Champion the concepts of: Eliminate, Standardize, Optimize, Automate, Robotize (ESOAR);
Core Competencies:
• General ledger maintenance including creating and reviewing journal entries, and ensuring that supporting documentation is provided
• Preparation and review of cash flow, balance sheet and other actuals schedules/rollforwards for Corporate and LOB management, including flux variance analysis
• Performing analysis of actual results to most recent budget and forecast estimates - preparing appropriate variance explanations thereon and highlighting issues to Corporate and LOB management
• Review and approval of bank reconciliations with subledger interfaces, including investigation and resolution of reconciling items
• Run queries and prepare SAP and excel reports for ad hoc analysis required by Operations, Corporate, Tax, and other lines of business
• Tie out/reconcile various reporting tools (SAP, EXCEL, ESSBASE)
• Prepare and review statutory and tax audit requests, with a mindset of building processes that can be transitioned to CapGemini in the future
• Preparation and review of schedules provided to external auditors, including coordination of Sarbanes Oxley (''SOX'') internal control requests
MPG Line of Business Responsibilities:
• Lead the transition of accounting processes for the SPWA and ImageWorks business units from FP&A to GFO and GFO to CapGemini
• Perform oversight and review of film inventory accounting, including preparation/review of film inventory rollforward, production funding accrual, production spend, and production tax credits
• Perform catalog amortization analysis (monthly / annually) and record journal entry to ensure appropriate rate has been applied and amortization posted
• Review released title amortization and SAP master data to ensure complete and accurate posting of film cost amortization by title
• Review revenue accrual journal entries and support, which includes learning to navigate and utilize the DEX subledger
• Prepare obligation rollforward (until transitioned to CapGemini), and review for completeness and accuracy of participation and investor cash payments; identify investor balances in a debit position that require reclassification to prepaids or acceleration of amortization (i.e. box office bonus)
• Review miscellaneous product activity to identify items booked to the P&L without a title – investigate activity to determine adjustments as necessary
• Review unsettled production costs, investigate and follow up as necessary
• Prepare various monthly analysis and journal entries including but not limited to Production Accruals, Print Accruals, Domestic Marketing Accrual, etc. (until transitioned to CapGemini)
• Preparation and review of Corporate reports and schedules (''Corp Forms'') including Rev/GP, Rev by Market, etc.
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
• Strong Accounting experience (Big4 a plus), minimum 5+ years
• Direct experience with complex ERP systems and General Ledger postings (SAP a plus)
• Basic understanding of film accounting (film costs, ultimates, amortization)
• 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 lead/follow-through with co-workers on projects/tasks by setting guidelines, timetables and clear sense of expectations
• Strong level of communication and interpersonal skills working with staff in multiple time zones and countries
• Ability to develop, prepare and present issues/projects/presentations to co-workers and senior management
• Change agent and champion mindset
• Ability to live with uncertainty
Other Desired Requirements:
• Flexible working hours
• Understanding of the entertainment business
• Cultural tolerance
• Empathy and compassion
Desired Education:
• BS in Accountancy
• CPA preferred.
USA - Culver City - Studio Lot - CA01
Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gpke3e-3-89-163-120-42 in your application.
Sony Pictures' global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.