Production Accounting for Film and Television

Get a clear overview of how films and TV shows are made—from greenlight to final delivery—and where Production Accounting fits into the process. Topics include:

• The role and importance of Production Accounting
• Overview of major and minor studios working in Canada
• Key phases: Prep, Production, and Post-Production
• Industry hierarchy: who’s who on set and off
• Roles and responsibilities within the accounting team
• Introduction to essential production paperwork

Establish a strong foundation in industry-standard bookkeeping practices to support smooth project flow and financial accountability. Learn the essential tools, etiquette, and principles for managing production accounts with precision. Topics include:

• Industry standards, policies, and best practices
• Trial balance fundamentals
• Financing basics, cash flow management, and banking procedures
• Professional conduct and etiquette in production environments

Learn how production budgets are built—from creating a chart of accounts to tracking costs with precision. Then explore how Ontario’s film and television tax credits can support your bottom line. Topics include:

• Basic budgeting overview 
• Chart of accounts 
• Cost tracking/item identification 
• Associating codes to costs 
• Overview of tax credits 

Learn how to monitor spending in real time and compare actuals to budget. Build confidence in preparing clear, accurate cost reports that support informed production decisions. Topics include:

• Purpose and structure of hot cost reports
• Weekly and episodic cost tracking
• Reporting unexpected or over-budget expenses
• Department-level financial reporting
• Tax reporting and compliance essentials

Learn to manage production expenses with accuracy and accountability—from vendor setup to digital payments, petty cash, and P-Cards. Topics include:

Vendor Setup & Purchase Approvals

• Initiating vendor setup and data entry
• Creating purchase orders (POs)
• Using digital systems (DPO, Smart PO)
• Navigating internal approval workflows

Invoices, Checks & Payment Processing

• Handling invoices and check requisitions
• Applying coding blocks and drawing down POs
• Processing checks and ACH payments
• Inputting data in PAS

Petty Cash & P-Cards

• Issuing petty cash advances and setting up crew/vendor access
• Managing expense categories and limits
• Submitting PC reports and ensuring compliance
• Audit requirements, processing workflows, and system entry

Get comfortable navigating today’s digital production accounting landscape. Learn how to work efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment using modern tools and workflows. Topics include:

• Key digital platforms for Accounting and Payroll
• Overview of the digital A/P process
• Navigating digital payroll systems
• Best practices for obtaining approvals and answers online
• Filing systems, digital scanning, and audit readiness

Get grounded in the fundamentals of payroll for film and television production. This module covers key documentation, union structures, and payroll systems used to process cast and crew payments accurately. Topics include:

• Essential payroll paperwork: Deal Memos, Residency Declarations
• Overview of unions and guilds: IATSE, NABET, DGC, ACTRA
• Payroll systems and standard workflows
• Software training: EPOL
• Intro to timecard calculations for background performers

Advance your payroll knowledge with a focus on real-world workflows, timelines, and the core responsibilities of a payroll accountant. Learn how to manage deal memos and timecards using industry-standard tools. Topics include:

• Daily and weekly payroll routines
• Deal memo entry in EPOL
• Timecard processing and review

Explore how union agreements and government regulations impact payroll calculations, and gain confidence navigating complex requirements. Additional topics:

• Union contract variances and payroll implications
• Government-mandated fringe costs
• WSIB obligations and compliance

Gain first-hand insight into the professional pathways available through the Directors Guild of Canada (DGC). This in-person session at the DGC office, offers a valuable opportunity to connect with Guild representatives and deepen your understanding of career development in production accounting. Topics include:

• Overview of the DGC and its role in the industry
• Introduction to the DGC Accounting Caucus
• Membership requirements, application process, and benefits
• Q&A with DGC Membership Department staff

Wrap up the course with an immersive, on-site visit to Cinespace Studios in Etobicoke. This session offers the opportunity to engage directly with industry professionals and gain real-world context for the accounting workflows you’ve studied. Topics include:

• DGC Accounting Caucus panel featuring working accountants at various stages of their careers
  
• Insights into career paths, daily responsibilities, and on-the-job experiences
  
• Open Q&A with panelists about breaking into and growing within the industry
  
• Guided studio tour, including:
  
  • A look inside a working production office
    
  • Sound stages with and without active sets
    
  • A visit to basecamp or a backlot (if accessible), providing a full view of production scale and logistics

This final session offers an invaluable bridge between classroom learning and the realities of studio production.