Sara Yerman Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

Washington Dc-Baltimore Area

I provided finance, operational, and strategic services to a start-up content production studio in Washington, D.C.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

National Geographic Society recruited me to oversee the financials of both the television content production (National Geographic Television - NGT) and giant screen film production/distribution units (Cinema Ventures). Shortly thereafter, NGT was rebranded as National Geographic Studios and the management of content production across the company – television, film and digital - was consolidated under this umbrella. As the finance lead for these areas I was responsible for business planning… Show more National Geographic Society recruited me to oversee the financials of both the television content production (National Geographic Television - NGT) and giant screen film production/distribution units (Cinema Ventures). Shortly thereafter, NGT was rebranded as National Geographic Studios and the management of content production across the company – television, film and digital - was consolidated under this umbrella. As the finance lead for these areas I was responsible for business planning, P&L and cash forecasting, reporting, and analysis. At the end of 2015, with the sale of the Society’s media assets to 21st Century Fox, National Geographic Partners (a joint venture between the Society and Fox) was created. We transitioned the Society assets to Fox’s corporate financial systems. I revamped accounting processes to reflect the new internal business relationship between Studios and its main client, National Geographic Channel. I moved Studios to a more robust production accounting system and payroll provider. I built and managed the Finance team that handled the Studios’ corporate financials and the production accounting. Highlights:> Simplified the P&L reporting structure to provide greater clarity and transparency into the business’s performance.> Established KPIs to allow business objectives to be evaluated.> Created tracking worksheets that provided real-time information on projects in development and delivery status of television shows in production, allowing us to generate meaningful financial forecasts.> Key participant in the transition to Fox’s corporate financial system. This enormous undertaking involved creation of a new chart of accounts, reports, and data approval workflows; data mapping and reconciliation; and staff training.> Developed comprehensive workflows and procedures to coincide with the transition to the new production accounting system. > Managed the issuance of film royalty participation statements for Cinema Ventures. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Discovery Studios, a fledgling internal content production unit, was branded, expanded, and tasked with producing original, cost effective content for the US Networks. In this role I worked closely with the senior management team and HR to develop the organizational structure and business plan. I collaborated with IT on financial improvement projects in order to establish business efficiencies. I overhauled the antiquated cost reporting process by partnering with an entertainment firm… Show more Discovery Studios, a fledgling internal content production unit, was branded, expanded, and tasked with producing original, cost effective content for the US Networks. In this role I worked closely with the senior management team and HR to develop the organizational structure and business plan. I collaborated with IT on financial improvement projects in order to establish business efficiencies. I overhauled the antiquated cost reporting process by partnering with an entertainment firm specializing in production payroll and accounting tools. Discovery Studios grew to create over $30M worth of original long and short form content annually. Highlights:> Finance lead for a cross-departmental team that implemented a new employee type and the technical solution needed to manage the HR, payroll, and project cost data associated with this population.> Led the transition to a new production accounting system and established the workflow to enable operational efficiency and controls as well as accurate and timely reporting. > Revamped and grew the Finance team to support the new system and responsibilities.> Oversaw the financials for the Footage & Music Services unit that earned revenue via archival footage sales and royalties from performance rights organizations. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As Director I reported directly to the US Networks Vice President, Finance with a dotted line to Discovery Channel’s General Manager. I worked closely with the network executives to plan and manage the programming strategy and operations. I built and managed the annual content budget which had grown to $150M in investment, $140M in amortization expense, and an OCF of over $300M. I approved production budgets and provided guidance to Business Affairs and Production Management during… Show more As Director I reported directly to the US Networks Vice President, Finance with a dotted line to Discovery Channel’s General Manager. I worked closely with the network executives to plan and manage the programming strategy and operations. I built and managed the annual content budget which had grown to $150M in investment, $140M in amortization expense, and an OCF of over $300M. I approved production budgets and provided guidance to Business Affairs and Production Management during production and talent negotiations. I monitored all international co-financing deals to ensure they met the network’s objectives and proper accounting treatment was applied. I provided monthly P&L analyses and supervised a Financial Analyst. Highlights:> Implemented the financial operations for two newly created units: US Networks Production and the prestigious Ted Koppel’s TV Journalism.> Executed the new reporting and accounting requirements associated with going public.> Collaborated with Production Operations to create a Cognos model for planning cost and volume for reversions, cut-to-clocks, and other re-edits.> Laid the framework for a program amortization database that enabled the networks to manage and report on their content budgets systematically rather than via Excel spreadsheets. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Discovery Channel’s Vice President of Programming sought me out to help manage the network’s content budget consisting of over $100M in investment, $80M in amortization expense, and over 700 hours of programming annually. I analyzed financial reports and contracts and reconciled the data with the network commitment spreadsheet. I prepared the monthly program asset amortization schedules, conducted the quarterly review meetings with Finance and Production Management, and helped prepare the… Show more Discovery Channel’s Vice President of Programming sought me out to help manage the network’s content budget consisting of over $100M in investment, $80M in amortization expense, and over 700 hours of programming annually. I analyzed financial reports and contracts and reconciled the data with the network commitment spreadsheet. I prepared the monthly program asset amortization schedules, conducted the quarterly review meetings with Finance and Production Management, and helped prepare the annual business plan.Highlights:> Reconciled and maintained a detailed cash tracking spreadsheet to ensure the data tied to the financial system, thus allowing for more accurate cash forecasting.> Built and managed the $10M network operational budget as well as the expedition budget, enabling senior management to make informed decisions.> Member of the task force that created a global system for housing and managing program asset information including contracts, schedules, financial data, and deliverables.> Planned a 3 day offsite retreat at a Maryland resort where all network personnel gained exposure to senior management via team building exercises and brainstorming workshops. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

My promotion to the Unit Manager position within the Production Management department allowed me to combine my finance, accounting, production, and contractual experience. I ultimately supervised a slate of 40 original projects - negotiating and managing budgets, schedules, cash flows, and deliverables based on network needs. I analyzed production accounting materials including cost reports, bank reconciliations, and variance reports. I identified and troubleshot issues with the project team… Show more My promotion to the Unit Manager position within the Production Management department allowed me to combine my finance, accounting, production, and contractual experience. I ultimately supervised a slate of 40 original projects - negotiating and managing budgets, schedules, cash flows, and deliverables based on network needs. I analyzed production accounting materials including cost reports, bank reconciliations, and variance reports. I identified and troubleshot issues with the project team to avoid production, financial and legal repercussions while ensuring contract compliance. I conducted off-site visits to educate external producers on DCI policies, and managed the preferred vendor relationship with the insurance broker.Highlights:> Promoted from Sr. Financial Coordinator to Unit Manager and immediately entrusted with management of my supervisor’s projects who was going on maternity leave.> Created the Life of a Project outline used to train the project teams on the various steps from Development to Delivery in order to produce a show for our networks.> Contributed to the negotiation of several archive footage and stills deals with preferred vendors such as BBC and ABC News.> Elevated to Production Manager and given a slate of my own projects along with a Unit Manager to train and supervise. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Within the Production Management department, I managed the production finances for over 80 projects consisting of over 570 programming hours annually. I created payment schedules, arranged foreign currency hedges with the bank, analyzed cost reports to confirm production solvency, and provided audit assistance. I liaised with Finance and the Network Budget Managers to ensure project costs were in synch. Highlights:> Rapidly promoted to team lead (Sr. Coordinator) and trained… Show more Within the Production Management department, I managed the production finances for over 80 projects consisting of over 570 programming hours annually. I created payment schedules, arranged foreign currency hedges with the bank, analyzed cost reports to confirm production solvency, and provided audit assistance. I liaised with Finance and the Network Budget Managers to ensure project costs were in synch. Highlights:> Rapidly promoted to team lead (Sr. Coordinator) and trained and oversaw the newly hired Coordinators.> Led database enhancements to improve reporting and functionality.> Created a Cost Report template to be included as an exhibit in Program agreements and used by all external production companies.> Established the project archive process to ensure all necessary deliverables and financials were reviewed and reconciled before closing out a show. Show less

Washington D.C. Metro Area

The Business Affairs/Legal department had recently licensed a new rights tracking system and was customizing it to fit the company’s needs. I was hired to research the programming rights information that would eventually be captured in this system. Highlights:> Collaborated with various departments to consolidate data.> Helped develop practices for identifying and approving exceptions to contractual rights requirements.

Los Angeles, Ca

I originated the role of Staff Accountant for this subsidiary of Paramount Pictures, which produced movies of the week for the USA Network. Worked closely with the Manager of Accounting on the corporate and intercompany financial responsibilities. Highlights:> Staff Accountant role quickly expanded to include project management and Production Accounting duties.> Promoted to Administrator, Business Affairs and worked directly with the VP of Business Affairs. I gained… Show more I originated the role of Staff Accountant for this subsidiary of Paramount Pictures, which produced movies of the week for the USA Network. Worked closely with the Manager of Accounting on the corporate and intercompany financial responsibilities. Highlights:> Staff Accountant role quickly expanded to include project management and Production Accounting duties.> Promoted to Administrator, Business Affairs and worked directly with the VP of Business Affairs. I gained exposure to contract negotiation, drafted deal sheets, organized the contract management process, and managed payments to writers, directors, producers, composers. Show less