VP Accounting & Assistance Controller
Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) is a premier live entertainment and media company. The Company includes Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium powered by cutting-edge technologies to redefine the future of entertainment. The first Sphere venue in Las Vegas opened in September 2023. In addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming product, MSG+, delivering a wide range of live sports content and other programming. More information is available at sphereentertainmentco.com.
Who are we hiring?
This position is in support of the Controller and is primarily responsible for the operational control of the public company books and records for corporate accounting, shared services (which includes accounts payable, accounts receivable and fixed assets for the consolidate company), and oversees financial reporting, technical accounting, and consolidation. This position is also responsible for day-to-day corporate related operations, the monthly closing process, account analysis, quarterly external, internal, and tax reporting packages. This position would be responsible for research and review of technical accounting matters, including all annual impairment tests of goodwill and long-lived assets, accounting for pensions, stock compensation, other employee benefit programs, business combinations going concern analyses, debt/equity financing and any miscellaneous transactions that Sphere may undertake. Provide accounting support to the executive departments (CEO, Executive Chairman and Executive Support) and special projects. Maintain all necessary accounting policies and systems including general ledger and financial reporting. Ensure records are maintained in accordance with US GAAP and SEC rules and regulations. Supervise account analysis and reconciliations using Oracle Account Reconciliation Tool, devise internal reports useful to the accounting departments and other departments. Maintain SOX compliance, issue internal statements and reports on a timely basis, meeting all external reporting requirements.
What will you do?
- Manage public company monthly closing for the corporate accounting, including the preparation of all journal entries, including company-wide mass allocations, recurring entries, in accordance with the monthly closing calendar.
- Oversee the quarterly and annual preparation of SEC filings, annual statutory filings, and quarterly reporting for debt compliance purposes.
- Manage monthly closing process, reviewing journal entries as well as reviewing Oracle financial reports for variances and providing guidance and assistance to Corporate Accounting staff. Ensuring timely and accurate closing of Oracle General Ledger and subledgers (AP, AR, and Fixed Assets).
- Effectively manage, motivate, and train assigned staff and provide regular (daily where appropriate) status of work-in-progress responsibilities to the SVP Chief Accounting Officer.
- Manage share services for consolidated company to ensure timeliness of vendor payments, billings and cash receipts, and the fixed asset capital expenditures process.
- CEO, Executive Chairman, Executive Support, financial support, including review of proper approval and coding for all invoices, reporting, and special projects.
- Evaluate and identify areas of potential exposure and internal control weakness, and evaluate and improve processes and work flows to improve completion times.
- Assist in updates and system conversions for general ledger and subledgers, suggest enhancements, and confirm functionality of delivered products meet requested expectations.
- Research and review of technical accounting matters, including management of impairment analyses for goodwill and long lived assets, pension plan accounting, stock compensation, and other corporate type accounting matters.
- Provide insight on current processes and supporting the Finance groups in delivery of Budget and Forecasts.
What do you need to succeed?
- BS or BA in Accounting/Finance, or equivalent, CPA a must
- Minimum 12-years related experience, strong knowledge of US GAAP and SEC rules and regulations
- High energy with the ability to lead an accounting team through transformational change
- Comfortable with leading discussions on accounting matters with senior leaders including the Chief Accounting Officer
- Prior supervisory experience a must
- Excellent PC, Excel and Word skills
- Strong analytical account analysis skills
- Strong writing skills and can improve accounting policy and procedures
- Strong understanding of monthly closing, forecasting, and budgeting processes
- Oracle (all modules)
- Experience with Financial Systems and corporate applications.
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