Fundamentals Of Production Accounting

Get Certified in the Fundamentals Of Production Accounting for Film and TV

Taught by Shalonda Ware, Senior Production Finance Manager at Paramount Studios

Production Accountants are responsible for managing finances and maintaining financial records during film or TV production, working closely with the producer and the production office. Their job includes preparing schedules and budgets for film productions and managing the day-to-day accounting and financial reporting against the film or show’s budgets.

Specific tasks during production include calculating finances, cost reporting, liaising with producers and financiers, and managing cash flow. They must ensure that all legal requirements are met. In pre-production, Production Accountants assist the producers and production managers to prepare budgets. They will set up and manage accounting systems, and supervise assistant accountants and accounts trainees. Production Accountants may also deal with bank finance and completion guarantors. They will finalize all financial records relating to the production, and may also have to arrange an independent audit. Sometimes Production Accountants will work in collaboration with senior accountants, known as financial controllers, who are often permanently employed by production companies, or in collaboration with studio finance executives.

Production Accountants must have a good working knowledge of filmmaking processes as well as bookkeeping and accountancy skills. In this certification course, you’ll learn the Fundamentals Of Production Accounting. This knowledge will allow you to contribute immediately on any production team and be a critical step toward becoming a senior production accountant who can manage the cash flow on any shoot.

The course will cover:

• What is production accounting
• Basic accounting principles
• The roles and responsibilities in a production accounting office
• Confidentiality and privacy
• Phases of production
• Budgeting
• Preparing a production accounting office
• What to expect when production starts
• Payroll
• Purchase orders
• Vendor agreements
• Check requests
• Cost tracking and reports
• Incentives
• Transitioning into post-production
• Wrap out of a production

What is Individual Certification?

Individual Certification is a single course centered around one subject. Upon the completion of this course you will be Stage 32 Certified in this area of production. (To be Master Certified in a particular area of expertise, please see the Master Certification section of the platform.)

After viewing the course you will be given a test of your knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. You have the ability to pause your course and go back to review sections as you are learning. You will be given three attempts to take the test. If you do not pass the test after the third time you will need to re-enroll in the course.

Once you pass the test you will be issued a Stage 32 Certificate recognizing your efforts in passing the course. You will also be listed in our master database accessible by film commissions, productions and any executives that are looking for talent. You will also receive a Stage 32 Certification badge that will be added to your Stage 32 profile, so people who are hiring on Stage 32 will know that you have completed a Stage 32 Certification course.

In addition to Stage 32, we highly recommend you post your Stage 32 Certificate on your LinkedIn and other social media profiles.

About the Instructor

Over 90 minutes of instruction, you will learn directly from Shalonda Ware. Shalonda is a Senior Production Finance Manager at Paramount Studios with over 10 years of experience as a production accountant. She oversees production accounting for made-for-TV movies for Viacom networks that include Paramount+, MTV, Comedy Central and VH1 and on television series that include TULSA KINGS starring Sylvester Stalone and THE MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN.

(Payment plans available at checkout)