Production Accounting for Film and Television

Entry requirements

A proven interest in film and television production and an ability to work as part of a team are essential. We would expect you to have academic or vocational qualifications in accounting or be able to demonstrate competency through work experience. Previous experience of working in an Accounts environment will be taken into account when considering applications.

While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, we will consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification.

Months of entry

June

Course content

Apply your vital accounting skills to the varied and exciting world of film and television.

Delivered in partnership with Disney, to meet increasing Industry demand, this unique Professional Diploma course aims to give students the expertise to succeed in this demanding but exciting role, as well as the opportunity to make key contacts to move to a career in the film and television sector.

What You Will Study

As a Production Accountant, you’ll calculate finances, work out the cost of a production, communicate with financiers (companies or individuals who provide the funding) and control the cash flow, or spending. This requires a level head, self-confidence and strong communication skills.

In pre-production, your role will be to help the Producers and Production Managers to prepare budgets and Estimated Final Cost Reports. During production, you’ll oversee all payments, manage payroll, petty cash and foreign currency and keep accurate financial records. You will help monitor budgets, analyse spending and provide daily or weekly cost reports. And also produce cost forecasts to evaluate the impact of any production changes.

To equip you with the skills required in your role as a Production Accountant, this course covers:

• Production set up and implementation of systems
• Budgeting
• Sources of finance and treatment of funds
• Completion guarantors
• Cash flow, forecasting and cost reporting
• Working with inherited budgets
• Working with multi-currency
• Running the project
• Contract and employment law
• Copyright and licences
• Taxation and insurance
• Pre production, production and post-production
• Production audits
• Management skills

The course also aims to offer participants work placements on UK productions, helping them gain an invaluable end-to-end overview of the vital role of a production accountant on independent size projects and some of the highest profile productions being made in the UK.

Information for international students

This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course.

Fees and funding

To ensure that the course is accessible to as many people as possible, the original course fee is being 75% underwritten by Disney.

Additionally, further scholarship support is available for students who may require financial assistance via the John Sargent Scholarship and Disney.

All production costs are included in the course fees, including the use of School facilities and equipment.