Senior Accountant, Programming

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Job Description

The Senior Accountant, Programming Accounting will serve as key member of the Controllership Group within the TV Networks Group at Versant Media. The TV Networks Group includes the best brands in the industry, including MSNOW, CNBC, E!, Oxygen, SyFy, USA Network and various sports properties that air on these networks. This role provides an outstanding opportunity to learn about the entertainment businesses and be a change agent. The position will report to the Manager, Programming Accounting and will work closely with finance leadership across the group.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational:

• Prepare monthly journal entries and account reconciliations in the ledger and the account reconciliation tool accurately and timely
• Participate in the collaboration with production, network finance and business affairs teams to determine timing of programming to support appropriate entries in connection with monthly close and support finance team in variance reporting to pacing/budgets
• Review of program payments against contract terms and ensure proper coding to the general ledger and update in the subsidiary ledger
• Prepare monthly journal entries relating to production tax credits and ensure a complete understanding of timing of recognition in support of balance sheet classification
• Participate in processes around reconciliation of intercompany show balances to ensure proper tie out and elimination between entities
• Timely preparation of data requests from Corporate Controller’s Office for purposes of internal and external reporting purposes
• Meet with internal and external auditors and provide requested support as necessary
• Active participant in ensuring SOX documentation is up to date and is reflective of current processes
• Assist in the accurate and timely preparation of all regular and ad hoc management reports

Process Improvement:

• Drives existing processes towards standardization with keen eye towards the existence of appropriate internal controls in place for a fair presentation of program assets and obligations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), and support of the implementation of best practices for a centralized program accounting function Integral member of an accounting team that delivers quality accounting services as well as governance and control while supporting the close process based on a defined calendar
• Develop an in-depth understanding of key subsystem applications and the interface with financial ledger
• Active participant in the identification of areas for improvement and optimization by leveraging technology and elimination of redundancies

Qualifications

People Skills:

• Develop and maintain positive and productive working relationships with the business finance and controllership teams Be nimble in working across portfolio
• Enthusiastic and ambitious personality in sharing ideas and ability to contribute to producing high quality results and being actively involved in process improvement

Core Skills:

• Strong foundational knowledge of GAAP to ensure financial statements are fairly presented.
• Must have similar foundational knowledge of controls and the ability to identify appropriate key controls to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial results.

Communication Skills:

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally in conversations, communications and interactions with others.
• Conscientious, enthusiastic and tactful personality with positive, friendly and team-oriented attitude.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• Ability to identify and tackle a problem by using a logical and systematic approach while driving collab