Lead Production Accountant

Company Description

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Team:

The Production Finance team supports Mattel Television as it evolves into a dynamic entertainment-led business, leveraging its rich intellectual property to create compelling content driven stories.  By developing this IP into engaging narratives, we aim to partner with various entertainment streamers and networks to ensure our stories resonate with a global audience.  This strategic shift not only enhances our brand presence but also allows us to connect with viewers across diverse platforms, creating a unified experience that celebrates the power of storytelling.  

Job Description

The Opportunity: 

Mattel is currently seeking a Lead Production Accountant in El Segundo, CA. This role will lead the team of production accountants supporting the ongoing and future productions of the Mattel TV Studios team. This person will be responsible for managing financial records, preparing budgets, and conducting necessary audits specific to Mattel’s animation projects.  This person will be crucial in tracking all production costs, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, and providing financial insights that drive creative decisions.  This person will have a strong background in accounting principles, excellent analytical skills, and a keen understanding of the unique financial challenges within the animation sector.  This person will be a key stakeholder in ensuring financial success on our animation projects.  This person will be a part of the foundation of Mattel Television, as they start to grow into a more entertainment focused sector.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

•    Manage production accounting operations. Lead and oversee the daily activities of the production accounting team ensuring efficient and accurate financial operations.
•    Manage the month end close process. This includes collaboration with Mattel Global Shared Services and managing the PSL production accounting close, including reviewing AP, Payroll and chargeback entries and providing primary review of all departmental production cost reports.
•    Production budgeting. This role will work closely with the Director, Production Finance and Head of Production, Mattel TV Studios to generate budgets for all long form and short form animation projects as well as working with the Head of Animation / Live Action to review and provide expert commentary on third party live action budgets. This would include researching and staying current on union contracts to ensure the latest rates and fringes are budgeted accurately.
•    Manage key partner relationships. The role will be a primary contact for project related day to day interactions with key external partners, including Netflix, talent unions, talent management teams, production accounting software vendors and payroll partners to facilitate smooth financial operations.
 

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
• CPA highly desirable
• 8+ years relevant experience in a finance, accounting, auditing, royalty or IT environment  
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Project) 
• Experience in Entertainment Production Accounting
• Experience with Non-Union and Union payroll (IATSE, SAG, WGA and DGA)
• Proficiency in a variety of production accounting software tools, including but not limited to PSL, CAPS, SmartAccounting and Movie Magic Budgeting.  
• Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.

Additional Information

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

How We Work:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors: