Production Accounting for Film and Television

Discover how a movie gets approved, the process that follows it, and all that is involved in making the magic happen. Learn about:

• The importance and function of Production Accounting
• Major and Minor Studios shooting in Canadian jurisdictions
• Prep/Production/Post-Production
• Hierarchy of the film and TV industry
• Roles and responsibilities of the production accounting team
• Basic production paperwork

Learn the proper ins and outs of bookkeeping for a better project flow and accomplishment. Learn about:

• Industry standards
• Policies and procedures
• Industry etiquette
• Trial balance
• Financing, cashflow and banking

Understand how a budget is created, how to track costs, and create a chart of accounts. Then, learn about tax credits in general and specifically for shooting in Ontario. Learn about:

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

Understand the process of setting up vendors and obtaining approvals for departmental purchases. Learn about:

• Establishing vendors and vendor entry
• Purchase orders
• Software skills (DPO & Smart PO)
• Approval processes

As a continuation of paying debts further, dive into checks and processing them, as well as handling invoices. Learn about:

• Invoices
• Check requisitions
• Coding blocks and drawing down Pos
• Check processing/ACHs
• Software skills (PAS input)

Not all transactions are via checks and e-transfers. Understand how petty cash works, how it is recorded and monitored, and how it is processed systematically. Learn about:

• Petty cash advances
• Crew vendor setup
• Types and limits of expenses
• Reporting requirements
• Auditing and coding PC reports
• Processing/software skills (PAS input)

Review payroll systems and related paperwork. Learn about the different unions, who they represent and how they are paid. Learn about:

• Payroll paperwork (Deal Memos, Residency Declarations)
• Introduction to unions (IATSE, NABET, DGC, ACTRA)
• Payroll systems and workflow
• Software skills (EPOL)
• Intro to timecard calculations – Background performers

Understand the process of preparing payrolls, focusing mainly on timelines and deadlines. Gain a deeper knowledge of your routines as a payroll accountant and how timecards are processed. Learn about:

• Daily and weekly routines
• Deal memo entry (EPOL)
• Timecard processing

Explore timecard calculations, focusing on how the various union contracts differ and how they affect those calculations. Learn about:

• Union contracts and variances
• Government fringes and WSIB obligations
• Payroll processing/Software skills (PAS)
• Cast and “Above the Line” personnel
• Proof of residency protocols

Monitor costs and ensure that they are within the budget. Compare the costs of shoots and how they align or differ from the set budget for more control of the project. Analyze and prepare proper reporting processes of costs. Learn about:

• Description and function of hot cost reports
• Weekly/episodic cost reporting
• Spontaneous reporting
• Departmental reporting
• Tax Reporting

Dive into post-production accounting. File reports for different entities and audit and update transactions and documentation. Learn about:

• Wrap reporting requirements
• Residuals/ACTRA cast reports
• File auditing
• Final Trail Balance and notes
• Turnover of books and records

Understand everything you need for a job with a Production Accounting team. Learn what to expect and how to best handle whatever comes your way in this fast-paced, high-intensity and very exciting environment. Learn about:

• Soft skills / Personal effectiveness
• Day-to-day reality of the industry
• Conflict resolution
• Customer service and communications
• Time management
• Final review and questions