Event Controller – Sports & Entertainment

NorthPoint Search Group; Decatur (GA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic sports and entertainment organization is looking for an Event Controller to manage financial operations for live events. The role involves overseeing event budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring financial accuracy from pre-production to post-event reconciliation. Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of experience in finance within the entertainment sector and a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance. This position offers a hybrid work environment and competitive salary between $115,000 and $130,000, plus performance-based incentives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of accounting or finance experience within sports, live events, entertainment, or production environments.
• Proven experience developing and reconciling event budgets from pre-production through final settlement.
• Strong understanding of revenue recognition, accrual accounting, and cost tracking in ticketed event environments.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage comprehensive event budgets for live sports and entertainment productions.
• Track and monitor event-related expenses in real time to ensure alignment with approved financial plans.
• Perform detailed post-event reconciliations including ticket revenue and vendor payments.

Skills

Detail-oriented

Budget management

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Accounting/ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Event Controller – Sports & Entertainment

Who: Sports & Entertainment organization

What: Event Controller

When: ASAP

Where: GA

Why: Growth

Office Environment: Hybrid

Salary: $115,000 – $130,000 commensurate with experience plus potential performance-based incentives.

Position Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented Event Controller to oversee financial operations for live sports and entertainment events. This individual will manage the full financial lifecycle of events—from initial budget creation through post-event reconciliation—while partnering closely with event operations, production, sponsorship, and leadership teams. The ideal candidate understands the financial complexities of ticketed live events, including vendor management, production costs, revenue tracking, and real-time expense monitoring.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and manage comprehensive event budgets for live sports and entertainment productions.
• Track and monitor event-related expenses in real time to ensure alignment with approved financial plans.
• Perform detailed post-event reconciliations including ticket revenue, sponsorship income, production costs, and vendor payments.
• Partner with operations and executive leadership to forecast financial performance across the event calendar.
• Analyze budget variances and provide actionable insights to improve profitability.
• Establish and maintain financial controls for event spending and on-site processes.
• Prepare financial reports, summaries, and executive presentations.
• Support compliance requirements and external or internal audits as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of accounting or finance experience within sports, live events, entertainment, or production environments.
• Proven experience developing and reconciling event budgets from pre-production through final settlement.
• Strong understanding of revenue recognition, accrual accounting, and cost tracking in ticketed event environments.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with accounting/ERP systems.
• Ability to manage multiple events simultaneously in a deadline-driven setting.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally.

If you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity or would like to discuss your qualifications, please apply now.