Production Controller / Production Finance Manager

Job Title: Production Controller / Production Finance Manager
Location: Los Angeles/Hybrid
Salary: $195k-$225k
Employment Type: Full-Time

About Shadow Machine:
Shadow Machine is a leading production company specializing in dynamic and innovative entertainment projects. With a commitment to creative excellence, we ensure financial precision and compliance across all our productions. We are seeking a highly skilled Production Controller / Production Finance Manager to oversee financial operations, union compliance, and production accounting. This role is integral to the financial health and efficiency of our productions, requiring a deep understanding of the entertainment industry, including union regulations, production financing, and operational oversight.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Oversight & Compliance:

• Oversee all financial aspects of production, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with industry regulations.
• Review and approve expenditures, including payroll, ACH and wire transfers, corporate credit card transactions, and production-related costs.
• Conduct monthly account reconciliations, maintain trial balances, and oversee cost reporting.
• Prepare and review financial analyses, variance summaries, and incentive submissions to optimize funding and cost efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to GAAP and industry-specific accounting standards.

Production Accounting & Budgeting:

• Develop and manage production budgets, ensuring accurate allocation of resources and alignment with company standards.
• Prepare cash flow projections, track client funding, and oversee financial reporting for development projects.
• Establish financial controls for new productions, including payroll, insurance, and union compliance.
• Maintain and enforce consistency in chart of accounts, fringe calculations, and overhead allocations across all projects.

Union & Payroll Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with union agreements, including IATSE, SAG-AFTRA, WGA, and other applicable guilds.
• Oversee project setup with unions, ensuring correct classification, documentation, and payroll processing.
• Track and manage retroactive payments, layoff notices, dismissal pay, and holiday pay obligations.
• Provide expertise on union agreements, responding to audits and contributing to labor negotiations as needed.
• Collaborate with production teams to ensure accurate tracking of union-covered employees and proper administration of benefits.

Production Insurance & Risk Management:

• Manage production insurance policies, including workers compensation, general liability, and errors & omissions.
• Conduct annual insurance audits and ensure timely renewal of policies.
• Facilitate Certificates of Insurance (COIs) as required for productions and vendors.

Stakeholder & Client Liaison:

• Act as a primary financial contact for clients, ensuring clear communication and transparency in financial reporting.
• Publish and present cost reports, ensuring alignment with production milestones and client expectations.
• Manage cash flow to ensure proper funding from clients, tracking receivables and upcoming financial commitments.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in production finance or accounting within the entertainment industry.
• Strong understanding of union compliance, industry-specific payroll, and financial regulations.
• Proficiency in accounting systems such as PSL, C&C, and industry-specific financial tools.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in team management, training, and oversight.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal teams, clients, and external stakeholders.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A dynamic and collaborative work environment in the entertainment industry.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.
• The chance to work on high-profile productions with a passionate and talented team.

If you have a deep understanding of production finance, union regulations, and the entertainment landscape, we invite you to apply and help drive financial excellence at Shadow Machine!