Finance Manager, Production Accounting

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.
Who We Are...
When we say, "the stuff dreams are made of," we're not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD's vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what's next...
From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
Title: Finance Manager, Production Accounting
Department: Finance
Location: Sydney, New South Wales
Employment Type: Permanent & Full Time
Reports to: Director of Finance
At Warner Bros., we are committed to a nurturing a workforce that encompasses all facets of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, and of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds, and cultures.
Company Overview
Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia is one of Australia's largest and most exciting production companies, producing award-winning television for audiences both here in Australia and around the world. Warner Bros Production Australia has secured a reputation as a trusted production partner and a passionate producer of outstanding Australian television. It remains committed to telling great stories, developing exciting formats and creating and producing content that will engage audiences worldwide.
Primary Purpose of Position:
The Finance Manager, Production Accounting is the link between Head Office Finance and Production and has responsibility for overseeing production finance activities and cost reporting. They work closely production accountants and with Director of Finance, Head of Production, and other key Production stakeholders to ensure financial reporting of production costs is timely and accurate. The Finance Manager, Production Accounting provides support and training to the production finance team and ensures all Head Office processes and policies are followed.
Position Responsibilities:
Production system oversight:

• Just Produce super user and first point of contact for all Just Produce issues.
• Provide staff training to Just Produce users.
• Update training materials.
• Oversee database and ensure accuracy of data.
• Coordinating Just Produce UAT.
• Oversee Just Produce purchase orders.

Payroll:

• Manage payroll for Overhead contractors
• Assisting production accountants with payroll queries.
• Ensure payroll deadlines are met across all productions.
• Overview of fringes across all productions to ensure accuracy.
• Liaising with HR and TPH to ensure payroll rates comply with awards, TIL policies etc.
• Ensure payroll systems are correctly setup with TPH.
• Thorough knowledge of WB TIL Policy, BREA Awards and staff contract rates and breakdowns.

Production Support & Reporting:

• Support Director of Finance with Just Produce to SAP reconciliations and cost report queries.
• Oversight of production cost reports process and ensuring accurate reporting.
• Prepare monthly summary reports of production overages/underages and provide updates to Head of Production, Production Executives and Director of Finance on any finance related issues.
• Assist Production Executive and Production Supervisors with any production accounting queries and cost analysis.
• Ensure regular and timely communication with key stakeholders.
• Oversight of production accounting month end close and cost report checks.
• Oversee production recharges to networks and staff recharges across all productions including unscripted and scripted.
• Attending initial cost report meetings on all shows and setting up productions in Just Produce.
• Assist Production Executive and Production Supervisors with network cost reporting.
• Oversee wrap up of production from finance perspective including cost reports, invoicing and clearing.
• Cost reporting as required.

Accounts Payable, Petty Cash, Credit Cards and Expenses:

• Ensure credit card reconciliations are completed and processed in timely manner.
• Overseeing petty cash processing in Just Produce.
• Overseeing of accounts payable and staff expense reimbursements.

General:

• Assist with preparation and submission of PDV and producer offset rebate applications.
• Assisting on any requests relating to audit work across productions and head office.
• Supporting Director of Finance with recruitment of production accountant/assistants.
• Manage production accounting workflow and ensure accounting bible polices are implemented/followed.
• Managing cash open items and ensuring uncleared items are resolved promptly.
• Assistance across all productions as required.

Leadership:

• Provide regular, timely and clear feedback to all production finance team members.
• Lead, mentor, coach and develop all Production Accountants and Account Assistants.
• Foster a positive and high achieving culture that embraces continual change.

• Create a workplace environment that encourages problem solving, process improvement and stretch goals.
• Work closely with Director of Finance and HR to proactively recruit, retain and develop team engagement to achieve the business goals and Network requirements.
• Ensure that all staff members are well motivated, engagement and developed.

Work Experience/Qualifications:

• Several years' experience in production accounting across scripted and non-scripted productions.
• Knowledge of relevant awards for both scripted and non-scripted productions.
• Experience having worked as part of wider corporate finance team.
• People management experience.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Natural drive, eagerness and initiative to find answers to resolve problems or troubleshooting issues.
• Understanding of the overall finance function from production accounting through to company accounts
• Excellent attention to detail with high level of accuracy under pressure.
• A strong team player who contributes to an environment that embraces constant change and innovation.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to juggle several production/show responsibilities.
• Ability to adhere to strict deadlines and manage multiple tasks.
• Excellent communication skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of non-finance stakeholders.
• Advanced excel skills.
• Must have strong analytical, problem-solving and judgment skills.
• Demonstrable achievements in process improvements.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.

Important note: This job description serves as a guide to the scope and range of activities that may be required of the incumbent and may change at any time according to the needs and priorities of Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia.
How We Get Things Done...
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.