Director, Accounting – News, Sports and Entertainment

Company Description

VERSANT (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Versant’s sports division USA Sports, along with complementary digital assets including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and GolfPass.

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Director, Accounting – TV Networks HQ Central to lead critical accounting operations supporting the TV Networks businesses at Versant. Reporting to the Controller, TV Networks, this role will help to oversee the accounting and reporting of the Central Services Agreement (CSA) between Versant and NBCUniversal and serve as the key accounting partner to the Content Distribution business.

The Director will lead centralization efforts across the TV Networks Controllership organization, driving process improvements, ERP transformation and help to build the accounting foundation of a newly independent public company. The ideal candidate thrives in environments of change, enjoys building structure within evolving organizations, and brings a combination of strong technical accounting expertise, operational leadership, and process improvement experience.

About Versant TV Networks

TV Networks is home to Versant’s portfolio of leading news, sports, and entertainment brands, including CNBC, MSNBC, E!, Oxygen, SYFY, and Golf Channel. The Central Accounting team supports these iconic brands by providing financial stewardship and delivering accounting operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Leadership

• Manage the accounting and governance of the Central Services Agreement (CSA) between Versant and NBCUniversal, including shared services supporting advertising sales, TV content distribution, and other transition service arrangements.
• Lead accounting for the Content Distribution business, including journal entries, reconciliations, variance analysis, subscriber audits and financial reporting.
• Manage month-end close activities, balance sheet integrity, reconciliations, and reporting for the Central Accounting team.
• Oversee accounting for cross-brand transactions and strategic initiatives.

Business Partnership & Transformation

• Partner with Technical Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Business Unit Controllership, Treasury, Legal, Accounting Operations, FP&A, Tax, Technology, Internal Audit, and external auditors to support business initiatives and resolve complex accounting matters.
• Lead accounting process improvements, standardization, documentation, and ERP implementation initiatives to build scalable processes and strengthen internal controls.
• Identify accounting issues, implement sustainable solutions, and improve processes through automation, standardization, and strong governance.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP, SOX requirements, and company accounting policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, or a related field; CPA required
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibility within a complex organization.
• Big Four or other similar public accounting experience and/or public company experience preferred.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including financial reporting, month-end close, reconciliations, balance sheet governance, and SOX.
• Experience in media, entertainment, advertising sales, content distribution, licensing, or other complex revenue environments preferred.
• Ability to interpret contracts and translate key terms into appropriate accounting treatment and reporting requirements.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to partner effectively with Accounting, Finance, Content Distribution, Corporate and external auditors.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with a strong commitment to accuracy, completeness, and process discipline.
• Proactive problem-solver who can identify issues, investigate root causes, and drive practical resolutions.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced close environment with competing priorities and evolving business needs.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to lead through influence, build relationships, and support team development.
• Strong systems aptitude, including experience with ERP systems, reporting tools, and reconciliation or close-management platforms preferred.

Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to process documentation, with the ability to establish scalable, well-controlled accounting processes and maintain high standards of accuracy and accountability

Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Subject to change based on business need. This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.

Salary Range: $135,000 – $160,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible)

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to help build the accounting foundation of a newly independent media company. As a key member of the TV Networks Controllership organization, you’ll oversee key material areas of Versant’s businesses while driving accounting transformation, ERP implementation, and process modernization.

This role is based at Versant’s CNBC headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, and offers the opportunity to work alongside senior Finance and business leaders in a highly collaborative environment.

The office is easily accessible from New York City, Westchester County, New Jersey, with a complimentary daily shuttle from Manhattan.