COURSE OVERVIEW
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.
Content Tabs
This course is delivered online, giving you the opportunity to learn outside of normal working hours. Sessions run every 2nd Saturday of the month (09:00-11:00am and 12:00-14:00pm), followed by an evening Zoom session on the last Monday of every month (6:45-8:45pm). Attendance in person is only required for the course induction, which will be at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, although we may offer further face-to-face opportunities where possible.
This course is ideally suited for those already working in a finance/accountancy role and who are keen to move into the film and television sector.
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.
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.
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.
If you have any questions, please email info@nfts.co.uk.
The following item(s) should accompany your online application:
- Please tell us about the likely challenges of working as the Production Accountant on a low budget British feature film (no more than approx. 1000 words)
Funding Available
To ensure that the course is accessible to as many people as possible, the course fee is being 75% underwritten by Disney. Additional scholarship support is available for students who may require financial assistance via the John Sargent Scholarship and Disney.
Tutors
Graduate Success
Skilled production accountants are in high demand. The course is designed to allow graduates to move into the film and television Industry in a range of accountancy roles.
Course graduates include...
Saltburn
Assistant Accountant Rachel Stollery
Graduate Success
Skilled production accountants are in high demand. The course is designed to allow graduates to move into the film and television Industry in a range of accountancy roles.
Course graduates include...
Baby Reindeer
Payroll Accountant Suman Pal
Graduate Success
Skilled production accountants are in high demand. The course is designed to allow graduates to move into the film and television Industry in a range of accountancy roles.
Course graduates include...
Everything Now
Production Accountant Karolina Jarosinska
Graduate Success
Skilled production accountants are in high demand. The course is designed to allow graduates to move into the film and television Industry in a range of accountancy roles.
Course graduates include...
House of the Dragon
Accounts Production Assistant Amy Graham
Graduate Success
Skilled production accountants are in high demand. The course is designed to allow graduates to move into the film and television Industry in a range of accountancy roles.
Course graduates include...
Aftersun
Production Accountant Michaela McCaffrey
Graduate Success
Skilled production accountants are in high demand. The course is designed to allow graduates to move into the film and television Industry in a range of accountancy roles.
Course graduates include...
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Payroll Accountant Fiona Adu
Graduate Success
Skilled production accountants are in high demand. The course is designed to allow graduates to move into the film and television Industry in a range of accountancy roles.
Course graduates include...
I Came By
1st Assistant Accountant Charles Meunier
