Finance Director, Curio Pictures

Finance Director, Curio Pictures

Curio Pictures is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company based in Sydney, creating distinct storytelling that entertains and moves global audiences. We’re looking to hire an experienced Finance Director to join a creatively driven, leading producer of premium content for local and global audiences.

As the primary finance business partner and advisor to Curio’s MD, this is a hands on role responsible  for the provision of all financial support including financial planning, strategy and budgeting, reporting, production accounting,  financial control, compliance and accounting.  

The role will also oversee an accountant and will work closely with the VP Finance, International TV Production for Sony Pictures Entertainment, the Home office finance  team, Corporate Treasury, IT and others as required.  

Key Responsibilities Include:  

Production Finance Planning, Budgeting,

• Collaborate with Executive Producers, Production and Legal team to model and update the finance plans. 

• Review and update production budgets on Movie Magic.  

• Identify potential financial risks associated with productions and develop strategies to mitigate them. 

• Implement cost control measures to ensure productions are executed with budget constraints. 

• Manage approval process for cost reports prepared by the production teams 

• Review production cost reports, attend cost report meetings, monitor actual expenses against budgeted costs, provide insights into the financial performance of individual productions.  

• Provide film inventory analysis and ultimate accounting analysis 

• Analyse cost trends, identify potential overages areas and provide recommendations for cost-saving opportunities 

Business Cost Controlling, Reporting 

• Coordinate and manage MRP (mid range plan), and annual budgeting cycles, presenting budgets to the International Production Senior Management team with the MD 

• Ensure financial integrity of all planning and management reporting 

• Perform monthly management reviews for P&L, cash flow, working capital and balance sheet, preparing overhead reporting, local management accounts and variance analysis 

• Monthly Flash Reporting 

Production Government Tax Incentives and Rebates 

• Stay informed about regional, federal and international tax incentives, rebates and subsidies available for TV productions.  

• Optimize financial structures to take advantage of these incentives when applicable.  

• Advising and reviewing Government funding submissions and funding incentives.

Production Cashflow Management 

• Manage cash flow and cash facility for ongoing production to minimize borrowing interest cost and to ensure funds are allocated appropriately to cover the expenses throughout the production process. 

• Coordinate with the production accounting team to track the cashflow, milestone drawdowns.  

Production Contract Negotiations 

• Support Legal and Business Affairs team across key contracting to ensure financial terms on customer and vendor negotiations are favourable and in line with the budget constraints.  

Production Financial Compliance 

• Ensure compliance within financial regulations, industry awards and Sony policies.  

• Work with internal and external auditors to provide necessary financial documentation and address any audit findings.  

General Business and operational support 

• Provide financial decision support to the MD & business teams on all financial matters 

• Preparing and take responsibility for finance and business plans on projects for presentation to internal and external stakeholders, and analysis of the project’s subsequent performance compared to funding plan

• Conduct what if analysis and scenario modelling 

Financial accounting, audit and transactional support 

• Manage and perform month-end close process, signing-off on trial balance and monthly Management Pack, tax packs and resolve Home Office enquiries 

• Ensure reconciliations between production accounting systems (Eclipse/MydaEs), Costs Reports and SAP are accurate and prepared on a timely basis 

• Raise invoices in line with signed production agreements and following up on outstanding debt 

• Sign off on all Production Payroll and invoice payment runs 

• Manage local payment approval and ensure PO and non-PO invoice approvals are in line with SPE approvals (COFA) and journal postings according to Company financial policies 

• Managing third party/ broadcaster statements for TV and distribution 

• Manage the production of statutory accounts 

• Manage statutory year end audit and other tax, social security and payroll audits as required 

Control and Risk Management 

• Create and maintain appropriate business and financial controls for forecast, planning and reporting processes with financial impact and maintains internal control safeguards 

• Establish and ensure adherence to corporation policies, procedures for financial accounting and reporting and external requirements US and local GAAP 

• Roll out new corporate policies and procedures as required 

Communication and Team Leading 

• Build and maintain relationships across Finance, the Business, production teams and third parties 

• Coach and develop direct report 

Project and Continuous Improvements 

• Identify and implement process improvements and enabling tools and systems to provide enhanced financial and operational information 

• Support and involvement in ad hoc projects 

About you: 

• Professionally qualified  

• Typically requires 5 - 10  years experience in Finance and in Media (film and/or television) 

• Working knowledge and love of film and television production finance and reporting systems  

• Ability to effectively communicate across the Business and Finance organization with strong English oral and written skills and demonstrate a willingness to generate and share information. 

• Strong business acumen and excellent financial analysis experience and skills 

• Excellent presentational skills – particularly presenting financial information clearly and as simply as possible to ensure key drivers clearly understood and actionable 

• Ability to work closely with management to making informed business decisions 

• Excellent excel skills 

• Hands on working understanding of SAP would be advantageous 

• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable accounting principles to include U.S. GAAP, statutory reporting standards, IFRS and how to apply each. 

• Ability to create and oversee the preparation of accurate and thorough financial reports and underlying records. 

• Knowledge of relevant Australian industry awards would be advantageous 

• Proven experience working in a dynamic and fast moving and changing environment, and manage multiple priorities. 

• Ability to effectively transmit, receive and accurately interpret ideas, information and needs through the application of appropriate communication behaviours, tools and techniques. 

• Ability to establish and build healthy relationships with clients, vendors and peers in an effort to create an environment committed to providing excellent and continually improving service. 

• Build, manage and work as part of a small but  effective team. 

• Read, interpret and draw accurate conclusions from financial and numerical material. 

• Proven track record of forming strong, productive relationships with key senior stakeholders. 

• Experience of working in an international organization and in the entertainment sector. 

• Motivated by passion to exceed expectations and to continuously improve yourself, your team, and your department. 

• Please note that this role is based in Sydney, Australia. To be considered you must have the appropriate immigration permission to work and reside in Australia 

If the above sounds like you and you are looking for your next exciting move – we would love to hear from you!! 

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce and to equal opportunities for all. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds.  

 *Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. 

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