Job Description

The Royalty Audit Manager (Contract Compliance) is responsible for leading and managing royalty, licensing, participation, and contract compliance audits on behalf of clients. This role oversees all phases of the audit lifecycle, including planning, risk assessment, fieldwork, analysis, reporting, and settlement support. The Manager works closely with clients, licensees, legal counsel, finance teams, and internal audit professionals to identify contract compliance issues, recover underreported royalties, and improve compliance processes.

The position requires strong project management capabilities, contract interpretation skills, financial analysis expertise, and experience leading audit teams across multiple industries and geographic regions including working with large Global Film & TV Producers and Studios and recognized Brands and Intellectual Property Owners. Royalty audit programs commonly emphasize risk-based audit selection, stakeholder communication, tracking, reporting, and continuous program improvement.

Your day-to-day may include:

• Lead multiple domestic and international royalty and contract compliance audits from planning through reporting, including risk-based audit selection, scoping, budgeting, staffing, scheduling, and milestone management.
• Be responsible for the oversight and delivery of third-party reviews and management of a diverse portfolio of reviews.
• Interpret licensing, distribution, content, talent, participation, merchandising, and royalty agreements; assess contractual risks; and identify potential recovery opportunities.
• Direct fieldwork and review financial, operational, and contractual testing of sales, royalties, deductions, reserves, advances, guarantees, controls, calculations, and supporting records, while managing complex, forensically focused projects and providing clear verbal and written status updates to clients and third parties.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams, clients, and third parties while serving as the primary client contact, coordinating with licensees and legal, finance, licensing, internal audit, and operational teams, and leading kick-off meetings and discussions of findings and supporting documentation.
• Familiarity with the intellectual property and licensing industry including typical royalty structures, licensing agreements, and intellectual property rights.
• Use data analytics and business intelligence tools to analyze large datasets, identify anomalies and non-compliance, and develop dashboards, performance metrics, and transparent reporting.
• Preparing reports and the ability to articulate findings related to complex matters in a format suitable for c-suite stakeholders.
• Prepare and present audit reports and executive summaries, quantify findings and recoveries, support negotiations and settlements, and ensure compliance with professional standards, firm methodologies, and quality review requirements.
• Supervise, coach, and develop audit staff; review workpapers and performance; support recruiting and onboarding; and advance knowledge sharing, methodology enhancements, and continuous improvement.

You have the following technical skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, MIS, or a related field is required
• Minimum 5+ years of related work experience in a similar consulting practice or function servicing cross-industry clients at a national level
• Certification required, CPA, CISA, CISSP, CIA or CISM preferred
• Experience of using Microsoft packages (particularly Microsoft Excel) and preferably experience utilizing advanced data analysis tools (for example Alteryx, Python, SQL etc), data visualization tools (for example Power BI and Tableau) and Generative AI
• Experience managing a global team with diverse backgrounds
• Experience performing and managing multiple audits concurrently
• Ability to execute multiple engagements and completing priorities in a rapidly growing team environment
• Experience with analytics and/or automation software and an understanding of the impact of technology
• Exceptional client service, communication, analytical, organizational and project management skills
• Can travel as needed

The base salary range for this position is between $138,000 and $172,500. Placement within the pay range is at Grant Thornton's discretion, and it is based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, progression within the role, geographic location, and internal equity. At Grant Thornton, compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

About the Team

The team you're about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here's how:
• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.
• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.
• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different - and we think that's a good thing. That's why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we're taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers

Here's what you can expect next:

If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers.

Benefits:

We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that's a good thing. That's why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits

• Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm's medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm's employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave, and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.

• Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm's medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm's employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm's 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.

Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.

Additional Details: