We are recruiting for a Director of Finance for a reputable entertainment media company in Los Angeles.  This role will report to the VP of Finance and have a dotted reporting line to the SVP Corporate Controller. The Director of Finance will work with the US Finance Team to improve, standardize, and automate processes and workflows resulting in enhanced efficiencies, improved accuracy and higher quality deliverables. The ideal candidate will be skilled at analyzing finance practices to make sound process change recommendations in addition to being able to implement any process changes. This role requires someone who is comfortable with ambiguity, is a self-starter and is able to implement sustainable changes.

Principle Duties & Responsibilities

• Analyze and document current business processes, defining short term and long term objectives and goals.
• Identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies and process delays for improvements.
• Prepare timelines for systems and process change implementation.
• Automate time consuming processes by using Office 365 or other tools that will integrate with other departments requiring less time needed for obtaining data for billing and other activities.
• Develop strategies to accelerate month end closing processes aimed at freeing up resources and allowing for more strategic financial decisions.
• Prepare accurate accounting and reporting for SDI USA under US GAAP.
• Oversee processes to ensure JSOX compliance.
• Drive month end close activities including preparation of month end close calendar.
• Review monthly reconciliations including cash, intercompany, CAPEX, accruals, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Review journal entries, including bank transactions, accruals, amortization and depreciation.
• Prepare month-end accruals and deferrals relating to revenue and production costs.
• Perform month-end analysis relating to direct margin, FPC/SG&A, and month-to-month fluctuations.
• Work closely with Operations to identify variance outliers and changes to reported revenue/cost.
• Oversee unbilled revenue and prepare related weekly/monthly reports for the Operations team.
• Prepare monthly reporting package to submit to Corporate.
• Manage cash flow and provide weekly reports to Corporate.
• Review monthly wire batches of contractor payments.
• Oversee new client onboarding and assessment of credit checks.
• Direct supervision of and collaboration with USA Senior Accountant, Junior Accountant, Accounts Receivable Supervisor, Accounts Payable Supervisor, and Collections Analyst.
• Assist direct reports with time management and the meeting of deadlines.
• Assist in developing and refining processes and standards including streamlining and improving workflows, working alongside Operations to ensure all needs are met.
• Implement process improvements to decrease overtime worked by staff.
• Motivate, mentor and train staff.
• Assign projects and direct staff to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Review schedules for quarterly reviews and year-end audit.
• Facilitate audit requests and questions with internal and external auditors.
• Complete other projects as assigned by VP of Finance Americas.

Must be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Good technical understanding
• Ability to quickly grasp complex subject matters
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure
• Self-motivation
• Proactivity
• Ability to work independently and on own initiative
• Ability to be an excellent team player
• Good time management skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good attention to detail
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Enthusiastic and willing to learn

Qualifications and Experience

• US GAAP knowledge.
• Proven knowledge of accounting principles, practices, standards and regulations.
• Minimum 5-7 years operational and financial accounting and reporting required.
• Advanced Excel skills required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior management and collaborate with staff at all organizational levels across various business units is required.
• Must have discretion with handling confidential or sensitive information.
• Must work overtime when needed.
• Microsoft Navision experience is a plus.
• CPA firm experience with auditing exposure a plus (CPA not required).