Director, Accounting & Finance Technology
Fanatics is expanding into the booming trading cards and collectibles business with a new model and vision for the hobby that will fundamentally change the experience for current and future collectors, leagues, and players across many sports.
With trading cards and collectibles being a significant pillar of Fanatics' long-term plans to become the leading global digital sports platform, Fanatics Collectibles, a subsidiary of Fanatics, was launched in 2021 after securing long-term, exclusive rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards for several sports properties, including MLB, MLBPA, NBA, NBPA and NFLPA. Fanatics is the majority owner of Fanatics Collectibles, with leagues, players associations and investors owning the rest.
In January 2022, Fanatics Collectibles announced the acquisition of Topps, the preeminent licensed trading card brand that has serviced collectors, fans, and retailers for more than 70 years. The deal, which included both the Topps physical and digital divisions, established the iconic trading cards company as the cornerstone of Fanatics' trading cards and collectibles business and jumpstarted its MLB and MLBPA rights to design, manufacture and distribute trading cards, which begin in 2022 versus the original joint start date of 2026. Fanatics Collectibles is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director, Accounting & Finance Technology to join the Accounting and Finance organization. The role will support both the FP&A and Controllership teams, reporting directly to Fanatics Collectibles VP, Finance.
Provide financial leadership by managing general accounting and financial reporting and analytical activities to ensure accurate and timely compliance with all internal & external reporting requirements, projects and deliverables for the Fanatics Collectibles operating company.
This unique role offers the opportunity to leverage Data & Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to directly support the Director of Accounting and FP&A function with financial analyses and special projects. Acting as a utility player, the manager will contribute across a range of functions as needed.
This role will require a visionary leader who displays a passion for strengthening the team and fostering collaboration, learning and growth. To be successful in this job, you must be a forward looking, proactive leader with business experience in increasingly complex businesses, across geographies and business channels. This is a high-impact role at the intersection of finance/accounting, data, and technology. You will architect scalable, automated solutions to empower decision-makers and transform the finance function for the future. The candidate must be an experienced, collaborative accounting professional with the background and interpersonal skills sufficient to function successfully in a growth-enabling and challenging position. He or she must have the ability to embrace and assume ownership of various processes and reports, implementing structure and enhancing maturity. Attention to detail, superior organizational and project management skills, and exceptional communication skills are important.
This position will provide accounting, processing and analytical support for Fanatics Collectibles; specific responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Leverage AI and other Data and Analytics and Visualization tools to automate processes, creating efficiencies
- Identify and implement process efficiencies within the accounting and finance teams by streamlining reporting workflows, automating routine tasks, and enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of financial data
- Assist in compiling and supporting internal reporting function, including preparation of monthly and quarterly analytical and executive summary write-ups (BS, P&L and cashflow analyses)
- Manage monthly accounting processes and reporting
- Take leadership role in developing cross-functional accounting and finance projects including systems implementations, policy development and operationalization of technical accounting and reporting matters
- Assist with technical accounting research and provide technical guidance in preparing transactional accounting and documenting memos, as needed
- Acquire a deep understanding of the business processes related to assigned general ledger accounts
- Develop a deep understanding of transaction flows and underlying mechanics within the general ledger system to ensure accuracy, identify anomalies, and support effective financial analysis and reporting.
- Maintain effective relationships with organizational leaders across holding company and shared-service controllership, tax, treasury, legal, FP&A functions, and a broad group of cross-functional business teams acting as the conduit to teams on emerging business issues impacting financial reporting priorities
- Perform duties in compliance with GAAP, company and department policies and procedures, internal controls, and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements
- Prepare ad hoc financial reporting requests, other analyses and special projects requested by management, particularly around product performance and profitability
- Help foster a culture of continuous improvement mind-set, drive change within the department
- Collaborate with various departments including Product Development, Commercial, Project Management, etc. to enhance product-level and SKU-level profitability analysis
- Help prepare and develop department to scale-up and be SOX compliant based upon process improvements and identifying and implementing key controls
- Assist with managing and developing an efficient, clean and successful audit
Bachelor (or higher) degree in Accounting or Finance required
- 10+ years of accounting experience, public and private experience preferred
- Strong understanding of US GAAP and internal controls, with experience and proficiency in researching technical accounting issues
- Experience with visualization and dashboarding tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx, Looker
- Experience with data warehouses such as Snowflake, Databricks
- Experience with automation tools such as UiPath, Power Automate, or Workiva
- AI exposure: experience building or using ML models, GPT-based tools, or cloud ML platforms (Azure ML, AWS SageMaker, etc.)
- Experience with ERP systems, specifically Oracle Fusion
- Experience designing or managing data pipelines and system integrations between ERPs, CRMs, and BI tools. Familiarity with ETL processes, APIs, and cloud-based data architectures is preferred.
- Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to manage organizational change, influence without authority, and gain buy-in for new tools or processes
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office suite, including (but not limited to) VBA macros and other advanced Excel functions
- Experience handling annual audits and working with internal and external audit functions
- Experience in ERP implementation projects and other efforts to increase automation in accounting closing procedures
- Desire to develop and continuously improve processes with a focus on automation
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and stringent deadlines within a fast-paced environment is a must
- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks
- Must have strong analytical skills and strong attention to detail
- Must have excellent communication skills verbal and written
- Ability to effectively work with multiple departments
- Experience with ERPs (Oracle) is preferred
- SEC experience with a public company a plus
- Inventory and intercompany accounting experience preferred
A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certification is preferred for this role.