Assistant Manager, Controllership

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are… When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

The Assistant Manager, Record to Report (RTR) for Controllership will support end-to-end RTR accounting and controllership activities for assigned Warner Bros. Discovery entities and business areas. This role will be based in Hyderabad and will report directly to the Manager RTR. The role is responsible for accurate and timely month-end, quarter-end and annual close activities, journal entries, account reconciliations, variance analysis, financial reporting support, SOX documentation, audit support, and compliance with US GAAP and company accounting policies.

The role will support transition, stabilization and scaling of RTR activities into the Hyderabad Accounting COE, while contributing to process standardization, simplification, automation and continuous improvement.

The role requires a strong controllership mindset, sound technical accounting knowledge, analytical capability and ownership. The Assistant Manager is expected to independently execute assigned activities, perform detailed analysis and quality checks on assigned work, identify and resolve issues, support process knowledge sharing, and escalate material accounting, reporting or control matters to the Manager RTR in a timely manner.

Your normal hours of work are 3:00 p.m. IST to 11:00 p.m. IST, Monday to Friday. However, due to business needs, you may be required to work outside these hours and on holidays for the proper performance of your role, subject to applicable laws and company policy.

Your Role Accountabilities…

Controllership, Close and Reporting

• Support and coordinate RTR accounting and controllership activities for the assigned scope, ensuring completeness, accuracy and timely delivery.

• Prepare and post month-end journal entries including accruals, prepaids, amortizations, reclasses and other standard or ad-hoc entries.

• Prepare balance sheet account reconciliations, investigate reconciling items and aging, and drive timely resolution of open items.

• Perform monthly and quarterly balance sheet and income statement variance analysis and provide clear explanations to controllership stakeholders.

• Support intercompany reconciliations, investigate out-of-balance items and coordinate timely resolution with WBD counterparts.

• Ensure all assigned close activities are completed in accordance with the close calendar, accounting policies and reporting requirements.

• Assess accounting implications of routine transactions, apply sound judgment within established policies, and escalate complex matters to the Manager RTR.

• Prepare and support financial reporting schedules, management reporting requirements and other close deliverables as assigned.

Governance, Controls and Audit Readiness

• Ensure accounting and reconciliation supporting documentation meets SOX standards and internal control requirements.

• Execute assigned key controls, retain appropriate evidence and promptly escalate control exceptions or financial reporting risks.

• Support internal and external audits, statutory requirements, walkthroughs, testing and information requests, and help drive timely closure of open items.

Transition and Operating Model Buildout

• Support transition, knowledge transfer, stabilization and documentation of RTR activities moving into the Hyderabad Accounting COE.

• Help establish and maintain process documentation, SOPs, ownership matrices, close checklists, KPIs and escalation protocols.

• Participate in training, shadowing, reverse-shadowing, testing and readiness activities to support successful transitions and business continuity.

Transformation, Process Excellence and Systems

• Identify and implement opportunities for process standardization, simplification, automation and continuous improvement across RTR activities.

• Support SAP/ERP changes, BlackLine improvements, integrations, reorganizations, UAT and other finance transformation initiatives.

• Use advanced Excel, Power BI and other available tools to improve analysis, controls, reporting quality and team productivity.

Team Collaboration, Knowledge Sharing and Support

• Provide process guidance, knowledge sharing and training support to team members and new joiners without direct people-management responsibility.

• Support the Manager RTR in close coordination, issue tracking, backup coverage, prioritization and timely escalation of delivery risks.

• Maintain up-to-date process knowledge and contribute to a collaborative, accountable and quality-focused team culture.

• Perform other duties, special projects and ad-hoc activities requested by the Manager RTR or relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience… Required

• MBA, B.Com, CA Inter, CMA Inter, M.Com or equivalent relevant finance/accounting qualification required; CA, CPA or CMA qualification is an advantage.

• 8-10 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a US GAAP environment.

• Strong experience in RTR, month-end close, journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, variance analysis, financial reporting support, audit support and internal controls.

• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in SAP FI/CO; exposure to SAP ECC, SAP S/4HANA and BlackLine is preferred.

• Experience working in transitions, transformation, process stabilization or migration activities.

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including advanced functions; working knowledge of Power BI is preferred.

• Experience working in a multinational or multicultural matrix organization.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and issue-resolution skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines.

• Very good written and verbal communication, interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills.

• High attention to detail, ownership mindset and commitment to quality, compliance and timely delivery.

• Able to work effectively across various time zones.

Desired

• Big 4 public accounting background and/or prior exposure to a captive Finance Shared Service Centre / Global Capability Center.

• Experience in media, entertainment, production, distribution or related industries.

• Experience with finance transformation, automation, process standardization or system implementation initiatives.

• Self-driven attitude with willingness to learn, grow and take on additional responsibilities.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.

Other Requirements

• Required to be in the Hyderabad office three days a week (specific days to be determined upon hire).

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.