Director, Financial Accounting

The Walt Disney Company • Glendale, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Director, Financial Accounting for Disney Entertainment (“DE”) Content Sales/Licensing leads a high-performing team responsible for complex global accounting operations. This role supports the licensing of Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, 20th Television, FX, and National Geographic content to broadcasters and digital platforms worldwide, ensuring accurate, timely, and efficient financial reporting. As Director, Financial Accounting, you will oversee end-to-end accounting across the contract lifecycle of global Film & TV licensing transactions for linear and digital distribution channels. This includes licenses for network and basic cable syndication, first run programming, pay television, FAST channels, subscription video-on-demand and transactional sales/rental businesses. You will lead revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP (ASC 606), oversee complex balance sheet activity including large AR and deferred revenue balances, and partner with global business teams to assess accounting implications of licensing agreements. You will also partner with worldwide Finance teams on AOP, Forecast and Close and to support commercial teams, and collaborate with TWDC’s Technical Accounting Transaction Support team to document and conclude on complex, material or non-standard transactions. Additionally, you will own and optimize global accounting processes across front-of-house systems and SAP S/4HANA, lead quarter-end close, including review of P&L and Balance Sheet with variance analysis against forecast and prior year, and partner with Participation & Residuals and Talent Audit teams to ensure accurate coding and support for talent-related payments and response to disputes and audit claims. You will oversee amortization, participation, and residual expenses (“APR”) for both Individual & Group Assets and partner with Film & TV Studios to resolve issues/discrepancies when appropriate. You will also support third-party audits of licensees, identifying discrepancies and partnering with Legal and Sales on audit settlements, collaborate with Treasury and FX teams to manage foreign exchange exposure and hedging strategies, and partner with Tax to support compliance, planning initiatives, and audit requirements. Furthermore, you will support system implementations and enhancements in partnership with technology teams, ensure SOX compliance through effective controls, documentation, testing, and audit coordination, and partner with external auditors (e.g., PwC) on US GAAP and statutory audits. You will drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and scalability, partner with Credit & Collections to monitor receivables, resolve disputes, and optimize cash flow, and lead, develop, and coach a team of accounting professionals, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• 10+ years of accounting experience, with 5+ years in leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, revenue recognition, and internal controls.
• Proven ability to lead teams and drive results through others.
• Experience in Film/TV accounting, including Participation and Residuals.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in both public and private accounting.
• Experience in the entertainment industry.

Nice To Haves

• CPA/MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end accounting across the contract lifecycle of global Film & TV licensing transactions for linear and digital distribution channels.
• Lead revenue recognition in accordance with US GAAP (ASC 606).
• Oversee complex balance sheet activity including large AR and deferred revenue balances.
• Partner with global business teams to assess accounting implications of licensing agreements.
• Partner with worldwide Finance teams on AOP, Forecast and Close and to support commercial teams.
• Collaborate with TWDC’s Technical Accounting Transaction Support team to document and conclude on complex, material or non-standard transactions.
• Own and optimize global accounting processes across front-of-house systems and SAP S/4HANA.
• Lead quarter-end close, including review of P&L and Balance Sheet with variance analysis against forecast and prior year.
• Partner with Participation & Residuals and Talent Audit teams to ensure accurate coding and support for talent-related payments and response to disputes and audit claims.
• Oversee amortization, participation, and residual expenses (“APR”) for both Individual & Group Assets and partner with Film & TV Studios to resolve issues/discrepancies when appropriate.
• Support third-party audits of licensees, identifying discrepancies and partnering with Legal and Sales on audit settlements.
• Collaborate with Treasury and FX teams to manage foreign exchange exposure and hedging strategies.
• Partner with Tax to support compliance, planning initiatives, and audit requirements.
• Support system implementations and enhancements in partnership with technology teams.
• Ensure SOX compliance through effective controls, documentation, testing, and audit coordination.
• Partner with external auditors (e.g., PwC) on US GAAP and statutory audits.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Partner with Credit & Collections to monitor receivables, resolve disputes, and optimize cash flow.
• Lead, develop, and coach a team of accounting professionals, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture.

Benefits

• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director