Director, Production Audit

Responsibilities

Job Purpose/Scope:
The External Production Audit department performs production cost and financial audits of television productions produced by third parties for air on NBCU platforms (breakage, cost base license fees, and other variable costs such as residual and union escalations) as well as USG involved productions including full cost license fees, passive co-productions, and PSA). For these audits, the Director, Production Audit will manage a team of up to 5 freelance auditors who perform external audits of packagers (38 audits of 19 packagers currently in progress) to review supporting documentation for the cost reports to determine reasonableness, completeness, accuracy, and validity of the reported production expenses.
Additionally, when USG is active co-producer or produces content for external platforms, the passive co-producers and platforms have rights to audit the USG production costs. Those audits must be managed and settled. As such, Director, Production Audit will oversee and lead the 1 staff Production Auditor who manages the audits completed by external parties (17 audits by 8 external parties currently in progress).

Essential Responsibilities:
Responsibilities consist mainly of the following:

• Recruit and on-board freelance auditors, including interviewing, processing start paperwork, managing access to systems, and training.
• Work with Production Finance, Production Operations, and Business Affairs to plan and then assign external production cost audits within the audit team, managing auditor workload to ensure an efficient audit process.
• Act as the main point of contact for external packagers to represent the company, by raising issues and addressing disconnects during the audit process.
• Interpret contracts to ensure audits are performed according to the letter and spirit of the agreement.
• Manage the audit process from assignment through settlement, including gathering information and documentation from internal stakeholders, reviewing and reconciling the audit settlements, advising the auditors, and working as a liaison with Accounting, Finance, Operations, and Business Affairs to resolve issues and disconnects.
• Negotiate audit settlements (when the Auditor cannot resolve the audit independently) and escalate to Business Affairs and Senior Leaders when necessary.
• Present externally approved audit settlements internally for stakeholder approval via workflow.
• Manage Staff Production Auditor in the audit response process, including reviewing documentation, negotiating/escalating audit settlements, and assisting in the collections process as a result of completed audits.
• Drive best practices which align both audit processes and maximize value to the company.
• Track status of all ongoing and pending audits and reporting out status and analysis to finance leadership.
• Prepare ongoing reporting of audit status and results for internal stakeholders and senior leadership, including assisting in preparing quarterly reporting to multiple business units.
• Assist the Head of Production Audit in managing Production Accounting policies and procedures manuals for show Accounting teams.

About Us

NBCUniversal owns and operates over 20 different businesses across 30 countries including a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a premium ad-supported streaming service.

Here you can be your authentic self. As a company uniquely positioned to educate, entertain and empower through our platforms, Comcast NBCUniversal stands for including everyone. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture where our employees feel supported, embraced and heard. We believe that our workforce should represent the communities we live in, so that together, we can continue to create and deliver content that reflects the current and ever-changing face of the world. Click here to learn more about Comcast NBCUniversal's commitment and how we are making an impact.

Qualifications/Requirements

Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
• At least five years of production or audit experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Must have extensive knowledge of production processes and standard industry practices

Eligibility Requirements:
• Interested candidates must submit a resume/CV online to be considered
• Must be willing to work in Universal City, CA
• Must submit an attestation disclosing your COVID-19 vaccination status and, if partially or fully vaccinated, submitting your vaccination record no later than 7 days following commencement of employment.
• Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at the commencement of employment or must undergo regular COVID-19 testing if Company determines your job position requires accessing an NBCUniversal worksite.
• Must be willing to adhere to all Company COVID-19 workplace safety policies and protocols.
• Must be covered by Solutions, NBCU's Alternative Dispute Resolution Program

Desired Characteristics

Desired Characteristics:
• CPA or CIA
• Knowledge of production payroll and guild residuals a plus
• Advanced Excel data analysis skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to easily communicate with senior studio Executives
• Strong Presentation skills
• Excellent verbal and writing skills
• Ability to manage multiple long-term ongoing projects simultaneously
• Self-starter with initiative

Notices

NBCUniversal's policy is to provide 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. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.

NBCUniversal is an equal opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.