Production Accounting Manager

HARTBEAT; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HARTBEAT seeks a Production Accounting Manager in Los Angeles to oversee the financial aspects of production processes. The ideal candidate will have a degree focused on the entertainment industry and at least 5 years of experience in production accounting and budgeting. This role includes collaboration with corporate finance and management of project accounting processes to ensure compliance with accounting principles and timely reporting. Join a dynamic team committed to fostering creativity in a high-energy environment.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance

401(k) retirement savings plan

Paid vacation and holiday pay

Generous family leave policies

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in production accounting.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP accounting principles.
• Experience with budgeting and cost management in entertainment.

Responsibilities

• Manage all financial aspects of production processes.
• Prepare weekly financial reports and cash forecasts.
• Coordinate with corporate accounting for timely partner billing.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree, preferably focused on entertainment industry

Tools

Netsuite

Movie Magic Budgeting

Greenslate

Wrapbook

Job description

WELCOME TO HARTBEAT. WE ARE COMEDY. WE ARE CULTURE.

HARTBEAT is the global, multi-platform media company founded by Kevin Hart with a mission to keep the world laughing together. Operating at the intersection of comedy and culture, we are dedicated to creating, producing distributing, and marketing compelling content and experiences that make your heart beat a little faster.

Led by an award-winning team, Hartbeat is a trusted creative partner for the world’s top entertainment companies, platforms, and brands. We drive cultural impact and generate sales, subscriptions, buzz, and conversation with some of the most coveted audiences.

We are committed to nurturing the next generation of diverse comedians while collaborating with established comedy legends. Our ecosystem supports talent, content and brands across various formats, platforms, and opportunities in TV, film, digital, audio, and experiential.

Our flagship consumer brand, LOL! Network, engages audiences through its owned-and-operated social media channels, audio content, and partnerships with OTT platforms.

THE ROLE:

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Production Accounting Manager to join our team. The Production Accounting Manager will be responsible for managing all financial aspects of our production processes, including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and reconciliation with our corporate financial reporting. The ideal candidate should have a solid understanding of GAAP accounting principles (including ASC 920 and 926 content accounting guidance), production budgets and related processes, and possess excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills. Needs to be well versed in production cost reporting and software (MMB, Greenslate, Wrapbook or the equivalent). The role will report to the VP, Controller and will be a key collaborator between the corporate accounting team and the production teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Set up project accounts and authorized users; transition to production accountants and producers. Collect all opening and closing accounting documents and manage post-production accounting.

• Review and maintain cost reports with data processed by project production accountants and executives; provide updates to corporate finance.

• Prepare and maintain updated weekly financial reports and cash forecasts, comparing actual vs. forecasted spend, across all projects.

• Manage funding milestones and production cash flow; coordinate with corporate accounting & finance to ensure timely partner billing and collections.

• Ensure accurate recording and reporting of projects including capitalization and COGS recognition per US GAAP, in partnership with the Finance team.

• Perform monthly reconciliations between Netsuite (corporate accounting ERP) and production reporting tools (e.g., Greenslate, Wrapbook), minimizing project-end variances.

• Oversee intercompany billbacks by project; ensure proper PO processing for production accounts and accurate financial reporting of billbacks

• Monitor production budgets with teams and executives to ensure alignment with funding and cost-saving goals; Review related budgets, schedules, and funding to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.

• Act as liaison between third-party accountants, production teams, and corporate finance.

• Analyze financial data to identify trends and recommend improvements.

• Collaborate with Legal and HR to ensure compliance with all policies and regulations.

• Support tax filing preparation related to production activities including tax incentive audit support in conjunction with the Company’s tax and incentive advisors

• Provide oversight of project production accountants who process vendor invoices and help resolve billing issues.

• Assist in coordination of payroll processing for production staff with accountants and producers.

• Ensure compliance with legal obligations, including union contracts and guild agreements; provide accurate guild rate data for budgeting and payroll and ensure timely processing of guild payments; manage guild deposits and returns by project.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably with a focus on the entertainment industry

• 5+ Experience with production accounting and budget and cost management within the entertainment industry

• Experience with production budgeting and forecasting and knowledge of industry standard production practices.

• Strong knowledge of US GAAP accounting principles and practices, including ASC 920 and 926 preferred.

• Proficiency in MS Excel required, with Netsuite preferred.

• Proficiency in Movie Magic Budgeting and digesting cost reports.

• Must have a deep understanding of MMB, Greenslate, Wrapbook and Cost Report/General Ledger generating software to track production budgets.

• Experience with Union & Guild fringes, payments deposits, and residuals.

• Self-starter who can work in a fast-paced work environment with minimal supervision to drive initiatives and results

• Ability to flex to business needs, and adapt to evolving, last-minute changes impacting workplace management; can accommodate global time zones

• Carries good sense of judgement, personal integrity, and intellectual curiosity

• Collaborate in person and travel as needed for events or moves/adds/changes of existing or new workspaces.

• Highly efficient, has a strong attention to detail, is skilled at juggling multiple tasks and managing their time, and takes ownership of their mistakes.

• Proactive in finding opportunities to improve processes and policies as they relate to the future of work.

• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.

• Experience with Zoom, Microsoft Office, and G-suite preferred.

WORK HARD, LAUGH HARDER

Look, it’s called work for a reason. We show up for our teammates, our partners, and our audience. We’re a high-energy culture, where EVERYONE IS A HEADLINER, expected to give their best performance. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun, meaningful, and inspiring. Because if you’re not having fun at work, you’re missing a good time!

So, if you hate fun, never like to laugh, and hardly ever smile, we have the job for you – somewhere else. But if you believe in a culture of creativity, entrepreneurialism, inclusion, hustle, and heart – while prioritizing fun and funny – you belong here.

Must be 18 years or older and willing to submit to a reference check and must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States.

BENEFITS

We got you! Hartbeat provides eligible employees competitive benefits, including: Medical, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, paid vacation and holiday pay and generous family leave policies. We also offer 401(k) retirement savings plan, flexible spending account and an unlimited supply of laughs on company time (aftershock giggles may spill into personal time) and more!

COMPENSATION

Actual compensation within the pay range will be decided based on factors including, but not limited to, skills, competencies, prior relevant experience, and work location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses and incentives.

Hartbeat also offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, that include healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan including an employer match, family planning, paid time off, paid parental leave, several paid holidays, and more.

NOTICES

We take this seriously. Hartbeat provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. As an equal opportunity employer, Hartbeat will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.