Assistant Controller

The Los Angeles Lakers, Inc•El Segundo, CA

10d•$135,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Controller supports the finance and accounting leadership team in managing day-to-day accounting operations for the organization, which may include the team, practice facility, and foundation. The role ensures accurate, timely, and reliable financial reporting; supports league compliance; and helps maintain strong internal controls in a fast-paced, seasonally driven business. The Assistant Controller also leads initiatives to develop and monitor financial systems and processes across the organization. Performance is evaluated based on deadline timeliness, the accuracy and reliability of information provided, and departmental leadership and goal achievement. The role supervises a Staff Accountant and Financial Analyst – Ticket Operations and works across operating groups to provide financial information and service. The position is based in El Segundo, with occasional off-site events and less than 5% travel. Regular hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; mandatory overtime and availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays are required. The annual pay range is $135,000–$150,000.

Requirements

At least seven years of progressive experience in corporate finance, including at least two years in a supervisory role.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
Proficiency in cloud-based finance and accounting technologies and Microsoft Office applications.
Strong understanding of GAAP accounting principles, practices, systems, and interfaces.
Executive-ready communication skills, including translating complex financial information into clear, concise insights for senior leadership.
Ability to build strategic relationships and foster trust and alignment across executive and cross-functional teams.
Operational discipline and attention to accuracy and timeliness across accounting, payroll, and finance processes.
Leadership and team-development abilities, including the ability to inspire high performance and maintain a positive, energetic team culture.
Analytical problem-solving skills and data-driven judgment to identify risks, opportunities, and improvements.
Ability to work regular office hours with mandatory overtime and availability for evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Nice To Haves

CPA and/or CMA.
Other certification or advanced degree.
Experience in professional sports, entertainment, or venue management.
Proven leadership, strategic thinking, excellent communication, and people skills.

Responsibilities

Support month-end and year-end close, including journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations.
Support the accounting and financial reporting function and review monthly, quarterly, and annual consolidated enterprise financials in accordance with GAAP.
Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
Prepare consolidated financials across multiple entities, including teams, facilities, and the foundation.
Support revenue accounting and recognition for ticketing, media rights, sponsorship arrangements, merchandise, concessions, and game-day activity.
Support merchandise, concessions, and game-day revenue reconciliation with operations and venue teams.
Support payroll-related accounting, including coordination on player and staff compensation, reconciliations, and reporting, aligned with the general ledger and close processes.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external GAAP and BRI auditors, manage audit processes, and review annual audited financial statements and disclosures for accuracy.
Support accounting for the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation and compliance with IRS rules for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Prepare league financial submissions, including salary cap and luxury tax filings and audited financial statement packages.
Coordinate with league auditors and respond to league financial inquiries.
Ensure compliance with league accounting policies and sports-specific revenue recognition standards.
Support accurate and timely financial and tax reporting under GAAP, IRS regulations, and NBA collective bargaining agreement rules (BRI).
Complete quarterly and lender compliance calculations to ensure conformity with credit facility covenants.
Monitor compliance with local, state, and federal tax regulations, including sales and use tax matters.
Manage daily cash flow, including reconciliation of game-day and box office cash receipts.
Support cash flow, working capital, credit facility, capital reserves, and investment strategy to improve cash position and debt management and compliance.
Supervise and review the work of department accountants and seniors.
Partner with Legal to establish, monitor, and improve internal controls, financial policies, and risk mitigation procedures, including business interruption loss calculations.
Perform other technical and strategic duties as required by the evolving business landscape.
Maintain best practices for disseminating financial data by developing repeatable processes and publishing flash reports and templates for senior leadership and functional leaders.