Accounting Associate

confidential; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Black Bear in Santa Monica, CA is seeking a detail-oriented Accounting Associate to join our finance team. This is a full-time, in-office role focusing on payment operations, processing invoices and expenses, and supporting month-end close.

You will work with the Controller on participation reporting, reconciliations, and a fast-paced environment that values accuracy and process improvements. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1–3 years of relevant accounting experience in media, distribution, entertainment, and/or streaming preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to review contracts and follow detailed instructions.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with Sage Intacct accounting software and comfortable with system integrations.
• Experience in the entertainment, film, or media industry is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Accounts Payable & System Support: Process a high volume of vendor invoices and employee expense reports; code, approve, and record in the system.
• Assist with the implementation, testing and administration of a new AP workflow and invoice processing system.
• Manage monthly credit card expense coding; monitor submissions and ensure timely coding.
• Communicate with vendors and internal departments regarding invoice inquiries.
• Maintain accurate vendor records and documentation.
• Participation Accounting: Assist in preparation and distribution of participation statements; maintain schedules.
• Ensure reported revenues and expenses are reflected in participation calculations; keep contract files organized.
• General Accounting: Assist with monthly bank and account reconciliations; prepare journal entries and schedules.
• Support month-end and year-end close; assist with audit requests and financial reporting projects.
• Perform data analysis and other accounting tasks as assigned.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Microsoft Excel

Contract review

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field

Tools

Sage Intacct

Job description

About Black Bear

Black Bear is one of the world’s leading independent studios, producing and releasing films of the highest quality across all genres. Founded in 2011, with offices in Santa Monica and London, the studio is behind a diversified slate that blends critically acclaimed, filmmaker-driven fare with broadly commercial action and genre titles. The company directly distributes films in the United States, U.K., Ireland, and Canada. Black Bear’s original films include Academy Award nominees Train Dreams, The Imitation Game, Sing Sing, Nyad, and Mudbound, previous releases such as Tuner, Dumb Money, Immaculate, I Care a Lot, A Working Man, Shelter, and In The Grey, and upcoming titles including Spa Weekend, Wicker, and more.

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Accounting Associate to join our finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a career in accounting and finance within the film distribution industry. The Accounting Associate will play a critical role in managing the company’s payment operations, ensuring invoices and payments are processed accurately, timely and efficiently. Reporting to the Controller, this role will support a variety of other accounting functions, including participation reporting, account reconciliations, and month‑end close activities, with additional exposure to receivables and rights management. The ideal candidate is organized, eager to learn, and continuously looking to improve processes in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment. This is a full‑time, in‑office position based in Santa Monica, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounts Payable & System Support
  • Process a high volume of vendor invoices and employee expense reports through the company's AP and employee expense automation software and ensure invoices are properly coded, approved, and recorded in the accounting system.
  • Assist with the implementation, testing and ongoing administration of a new AP workflow and invoice processing system.
  • Manage the monthly credit card expense coding process within the expense management platform.
  • Monitor employee expense submissions and follow up as needed to ensure timely coding and submission of expenses.
  • Communicate with vendors and internal departments regarding invoice and payment inquiries.
  • Maintain accurate vendor records and supporting documentation.
• Participation Accounting
  • Assist in the preparation and distribution of participation statements.
  • Maintain participation reporting schedules and supporting calculations.
  • Work closely with the finance team to ensure reported revenues and expenses are reflected accurately in participation calculations.
  • Maintain organized contract files and supporting documentation.
• General Accounting
  • Assist with monthly bank reconciliations and account reconciliations.
  • Prepare journal entries and supporting schedules.
  • Support month‑end and year‑end closing activities.
  • Assist with audit requests and financial reporting projects.
  • Perform data analysis and other accounting‑related tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1–3 years of relevant accounting experience in media, distribution, entertainment, and/or streaming preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to review contracts and follow detailed instructions.
• Strong communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with Sage Intacct accounting software and comfortable with system integrations.
• Experience in the entertainment, film, or media industry is a plus.

What We're Looking For

A self‑starter who is eager to learn and grow within a finance and accounting organization. Someone who enjoys working with financial data, contracts, and process improvement initiatives. A team player who can manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy. Strong analytical and organizational skills with a positive, professional attitude. This position offers broad exposure to accounts payable, participation accounting, financial reporting, and general accounting within the film distribution industry, making it an excellent opportunity for professional growth and advancement.

Reports to : Controller

Salary Range : $75,000 - $80,000

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, and certifications or other professional licenses held.

All candidates are encouraged to apply.

Black Bear is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work visa sponsorship.