Executive Director, Production Accounting

Essential Responsibilities

• Oversee financial operations, cost reporting, and production accounting workflows for assigned productions.
• Partner closely with Production Executives, Line Producers, UPMs, Show Accountants, and studio leadership.
• Lead and manage production accounting teams across prep, production, post-production, and wrap.
• Supervise and mentor staff including production accountants, payroll accountants, assistants, and freelance personnel.
• Support staffing strategies and manage accounting vendors and freelance accounting teams.
• Provide leadership on budgeting, cost reporting, payroll, accounts payable, cash flow forecasting, and tax incentives.
• Ensure studio policies, accounting controls, and reporting standards are implemented consistently.
• Oversee production accounting system setup and workflows across Smart Accounting, PSL, Vista, and payroll systems.
• Collaborate with Production Finance Ops, FP&A, BA, Billing/OTC, Tax Incentives, Treasury, Audit, Legal, Labor Relations, and IT teams.
• Identify operational risks, reporting issues, labor concerns, or communication breakdowns early and drive resolution.
• Support production audits, incentive reviews, compliance reviews, and reconciliations.
• Travel to production locations to review accounting operations and team effectiveness.
• Maintain knowledge of labor agreements, tax incentives, and evolving production finance practices.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office experience.
• Strong knowledge of Smart Accounting, PSL, Vista, EP, Cast & Crew, and related applications.
• SAP experience required.

Basic Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required; CPA, MBA, or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of television and/or film production accounting and production finance experience.
• Experience supporting high-budget ($100M+ gross production spend) scripted productions and complex production environments.

Desired Characteristics

• Strong leadership presence and communication skills.
• Experience managing teams across multiple productions simultaneously.
• Experience managing freelance accountants, prep/wrap accountants, and vendors.
• Strong understanding of payroll, labor agreements, tax incentives, and financial controls.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Pay

The anticipated base salary for this position is $208,000-$260,000. This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

Benefits

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.