Sr. Manager, Licensing Accounting

Broadcast Music, Inc.•Nashville, TN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

BMI is a mission-driven organization focused on music rights management and creator advocacy. It represents public performance rights in more than 25 million musical works by over 1.5 million artists, negotiates music license agreements, and distributes resulting fees as royalties to affiliated writers and publishers. The Sr. Manager, Licensing Accounting leads the Licensing Accounting function through a Licensing Accounting Manager and Senior Accountant. The role owns revenue recognition and technical accounting across the company, ensuring compliance with ASC 606 across all revenue streams. The position sets team direction, standards, and workflows while remaining directly involved in complex technical matters, revenue close and review, reporting, controls, and audits. It also keeps revenue accounting prepared for transaction diligence and develops scalable revenue and billing processes as the company grows. The role partners with Financial Accounting, FP&A, Licensing, Legal, Operations, Collections Services, IT, and other departments to apply best practices, maintain appropriate controls, and provide excellent customer service. It leads and develops the team, oversees revenue accounting processes and systems, and drives process improvements and relevant projects.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
At least 8–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including significant hands-on ASC 606 work.
At least three years of people management experience.
Comfort working in a fast-paced, less-structured environment.
Experience with ERP and revenue or billing systems.
Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, particularly ASC 606, and ability to apply technical guidance to non-standard or complex transactions.
Ability to write clear technical memos, reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional literature and technical procedures.
Effective communication skills, including presenting to executives and responding to questions from managers, vendors, and internal and external customers.
Ability to build, foster, and work in a team environment focused on quality and customer service.
Excellent time-management, analytical, decision-making, and organizational skills.
Ability to lead a multi-tiered team, delegate prioritized operational execution to a Manager, and remain accountable for team output and quality.
Ability to establish good working relationships and interact competently with people at all levels of management.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Oracle Financial modules and Salesforce.
Familiarity with AI-powered tools for data analysis and process improvement.
Experience in a PE-backed or multi-entity company.
Active or inactive CPA license.

Responsibilities

Own revenue recognition policies and ensure compliance with ASC 606 across all revenue streams; review and update related company policies and procedures.
Review customer contracts, including non-standard terms, bundled arrangements, variable consideration, and contract modifications, and determine their accounting treatment.
Prepare technical memos documenting significant revenue judgments for auditors, investors, and future diligence.
Oversee the monthly revenue close performed by the Manager and staff, reviewing and approving complex or judgmental entries and coordinating completion of the month-end process.
Prepare revenue schedules and footnote disclosures for annual GAAP audited financial statements.
Design and maintain an appropriate internal controls framework for the revenue cycle, with the ability to mature toward SOX controls if needed.
Lead the fiscal year-end audit and manage the revenue portion of the annual external audit, including PBC requests and auditor inquiries, while maintaining auditor relationships.
Keep revenue accounting diligence-ready for fundraising, debt financing, a potential sale, or IPO, including quality of earnings reviews.
Support M&A due diligence and integration of acquired revenue streams.
Build and lead the Licensing Accounting team, setting direction and standards, delegating day-to-day execution, and remaining engaged with complex technical matters and escalations.
Ensure onboarding, cross-training, and staff coaching; directly develop the Senior Accountant and assess the Manager's coaching effectiveness.
Develop the Licensing Accounting Manager's leadership skills and guide the Manager on complex technical or personnel matters.
Schedule and lead broader team meetings and regular one-on-ones with the Manager and Senior Accountant, and ensure effective staff-level meetings and communication.
Partner with Licensing, Legal, Operations, Collections Services, IT, and other departments to review deal terms before signing, identify revenue impacts, uphold best practices, maintain controls, and support customer service.
Educate non-finance teams about how contract terms affect revenue.
Ensure CRM, ERP, and other relevant financial systems function properly and lead or support system selection and implementation with Accounting Technology and IT as needed.
Analyze data to answer business questions and improve processes using available technology tools.
Develop and implement scalable revenue processes, including moving from spreadsheets toward automation, and coordinate process improvements with management, team members, and internal and external customers.
Act as project manager for Licensing Accounting projects when appropriate.
Supervise a Licensing Accounting Manager and accountant and indirectly oversee additional team members, including hiring, training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, addressing complaints, and resolving problems.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) with employer match on 100% of the first 4%.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Hybrid office schedule and remote Fridays.
Short-term and long-term disability benefits.
Paid vacation and sick/personal time.
Paid volunteer time off.
12 paid holidays.
Summer half-days.
Company-paid life insurance.
Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Tuition assistance program.
Commuter benefits in New York.
Employee Resource Groups.
Entertainment discounts and access to BMI concerts and events in company offices.
Employee appreciation events and holiday parties at all office locations.