The Royalty Audit Manager (Contract Compliance) is responsible for leading and managing royalty, licensing, participation, and contract compliance audits on behalf of clients. This role oversees all phases of the audit lifecycle, including planning, risk assessment, fieldwork, analysis, reporting, and settlement support. The Manager works closely with clients, licensees, legal counsel, finance teams, and internal audit professionals to identify contract compliance issues, recover underreported royalties, and improve compliance processes.
The position requires strong project management capabilities, contract interpretation skills, financial analysis expertise, and experience leading audit teams across multiple industries and geographic regions including working with large Global Film & TV Producers and Studios and recognized Brands and Intellectual Property Owners. Royalty audit programs commonly emphasize risk-based audit selection, stakeholder communication, tracking, reporting, and continuous program improvement.
From day one, you’ll be empowered by the greater Risk team to help clients make the moves that will help them achieve their vision and help you achieve more, confidently.
Your day-to-day may include:
Lead multiple domestic and international royalty and contract compliance audits from planning through reporting, including risk-based audit selection, scoping, budgeting, staffing, scheduling, and milestone management.
Be responsible for the oversight and delivery of third-party reviews and management of a diverse portfolio of reviews.
Interpret licensing, distribution, content, talent, participation, merchandising, and royalty agreements; assess contractual risks; and identify potential recovery opportunities.
Direct fieldwork and review financial, operational, and contractual testing of sales, royalties, deductions, reserves, advances, guarantees, controls, calculations, and supporting records, while managing complex, forensically focused projects and providing clear verbal and written status updates to clients and third parties.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams, clients, and third parties while serving as the primary client contact, coordinating with licensees and legal, finance, licensing, internal audit, and operational teams, and leading kick-off meetings and discussions of findings and supporting documentation.
Familiarity with the intellectual property and licensing industry including typical royalty structures, licensing agreements, and intellectual property rights.
Use data analytics and business intelligence tools to analyze large datasets, identify anomalies and non-compliance, and develop dashboards, performance metrics, and transparent reporting.
Preparing reports and the ability to articulate findings related to complex matters in a format suitable for c-suite stakeholders.
Prepare and present audit reports and executive summaries, quantify findings and recoveries, support negotiations and settlements, and ensure compliance with professional standards, firm methodologies, and quality review requirements.
Supervise, coach, and develop audit staff; review workpapers and performance; support recruiting and onboarding; and advance knowledge sharing, methodology enhancements, and continuous improvement.
You have the following technical skills and qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, MIS, or a related field is required
Minimum 5+ years of related work experience in a similar consulting practice or function servicing cross-industry clients at a national level
Certification required, CPA, CISA, CISSP, CIA or CISM preferred
Experience of using Microsoft packages (particularly Microsoft Excel) and preferably experience utilizing advanced data analysis tools (for example Alteryx, Python, SQL etc), data visualization tools (for example Power BI and Tableau) and Generative AI
Experience managing a global team with diverse backgrounds
Experience performing and managing multiple audits concurrently
Ability to execute multiple engagements and completing priorities in a rapidly growing team environment
Experience with analytics and/or automation software and an understanding of the impact of technology
Exceptional client service, communication, analytical, organizational and project management skills
Can travel as needed
The base salary range for this position is between $138,000 and $172,500. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton’s discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
About UsAt Grant Thornton, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result – for our clients and you. Here, we go beyond your expectations of a career in professional services by offering a career path with more: more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support. It’s what makes us different, and we think being different makes us better.
In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.
In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.
Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets. About the TeamThe team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
- Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave, and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.
- Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, MIS, or a related field
- At least 5 years of related experience in a similar consulting practice or function serving cross-industry clients nationally
- Professional certification such as CPA, CISA, CISSP, CIA, or CISM
- Experience using Microsoft packages, particularly Microsoft Excel
- Experience with advanced data analysis tools such as Alteryx, Python, or SQL
- Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau
- Experience with Generative AI
- Experience managing a global team with diverse backgrounds
- Experience performing and managing multiple audits concurrently
- Ability to execute multiple engagements and prioritize work in a rapidly growing team environment
- Experience with analytics or automation software and understanding of technology's impact
- Exceptional client service, communication, analytical, organizational, and project management skills
- Ability to travel as needed
What We Do
Forget what you think you know about professional services. We go beyond what’s expected and help others do the same. Grant Thornton is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading independent audit, tax and advisory firms. That means our network has more than 60,000 professionals in more than 135 countries who are ready to help public and private organizations of all sizes take on today’s challenges. But what sets us apart isn’t just what we do – it’s how we do it. Here, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result. We’re collaborators – obsessed with quality and ready for anything – who understand the value of strong relationships. It’s how we challenge the expectations of business and empower our people and clients to do it, too. One thing we won’t do? Grant Thornton LLP will never request money or any form of payment for services via social media. Please report any concerns at 1-800-810-3503. "Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details.
