Controller/Manager — Westside (LA), California | Pacific Executive Search

Controller/Manager

(Job ID: 1949)

Westside (LA), California

On-Site

Direct Hire

Entertainment

$115,000 – $150,000 base

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Overview

Join a dynamic and award-winning television commercial production company as a Corporate Controller. This pivotal management role offers the opportunity to partner closely with senior leadership, ensuring the integrity and scalability of financial systems in a fast-paced environment. You will play a crucial role in shaping the financial strategy of the organization while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. This position not only promises career growth in production finance but also provides a chance to refine accounting workflows and contribute to the overall success of high-quality content creation.

Responsibilities

Oversee all accounting operations, ensuring accuracy in general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and bank reconciliations.
Manage project-based accounting for multiple commercial productions, ensuring timely client billing and revenue recognition.
Supervise cost tracking and variance analysis for each production, delivering insights that drive financial performance.
Lead month-end and year-end close processes, producing accurate financial statements and participation reports for stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with union payroll regulations and oversee payroll processes for both union and non-union crews.
Act as the primary liaison with external auditors, tax advisors, and production partners to ensure seamless financial operations.
Continuously enhance accounting systems and reporting tools to support operational efficiency and scalability.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA preferred.
7–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, specifically in a commercial television production environment.
Proficiency in ERP systems and project accounting, with experience in job costing and production financial management.
In-depth knowledge of payroll platforms and union reporting (DGA, IATSE, Teamsters), including compliance audits.
Exceptional communication skills to collaborate effectively with Executive Producers and Production Managers.
Advanced Excel skills and a strong attention to detail.
Nice-to-Have:
Experience with accounting software such as CAPS+, Hot Budget, or similar platforms.
Demonstrated ability to improve accounting workflows and implement automation tools.
Familiarity with legal documents related to production agreements and vendor contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Accounting Manager hires fail?
Because companies hire for close execution when the real need is issue ownership and team leadership. Many candidates can manage a checklist. Far fewer can stabilize the function under pressure, improve weak processes, coach staff, and hold the line during audit, turnover, or reporting stress.
What are strong Accounting Manager candidates evaluating during the interview process?
They are usually trying to understand whether they are walking into a stable environment, a cleanup situation, or an under-resourced function. Strong candidates do not just evaluate title and compensation. They assess whether success is realistically achievable and whether leadership understands what the accounting team actually needs.
Why are SaaS accounting and finance roles different from general corporate roles?
Because recurring revenue models create different pressure points around revenue recognition, deferred revenue, forecasting, metrics, and scale. Even strong general accounting or finance candidates can struggle if they have not operated in an environment where recurring revenue and growth-stage process discipline matter.
Is the CPA really required for roles like this?
Sometimes yes, and often functionally yes even when the posting says "preferred." At leadership levels especially, the CPA frequently acts as a credibility signal for hiring managers, auditors, lenders, investors, or boards. There are exceptions, but in many accounting searches it remains one of the clearest markers of technical foundation.
How do strong candidates typically evaluate opportunities like this?
Strong candidates rarely evaluate a role based on title alone. They look at what the position actually owns, how the function is viewed internally, whether the environment is stable or in transition, and what success will realistically look like in the first 6 to 12 months. Many first discover a role through a posting, but the strongest career decisions usually come from understanding the context behind the opportunity, not just the job description. In accounting and finance hiring, that level of context is often what separates a lateral move from a meaningful one. Learn more about how strategic accounting and finance searches differ from transactional recruiting.
Why is cost accounting experience often treated as a separate requirement?
Because cost accounting is not just a line item on a resume. In the right environments, it shapes how the business understands margins, inventory, production efficiency, and operating performance. Employers usually separate it out because general accounting strength alone does not guarantee sound judgment in a costing environment.

Controller/Manager

Overview

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

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