- Applications are now closed. You can express your interest in participating on this course if we run in the future. See below a link to an Expression of Interest form.
| Start Date | Duration | Cost | Max Participant Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 19th November 2025 | 4 x weeks online | €250 | 12 |
Overview
This course is delivered in partnership with FÍS Éireann/Screen Ireland and the National Talent Academy, Crew Academy West.
Note: Although this course was created for the UK Screen industry there will be accompanying documentation to highlight the differences between the two countries and provide relevant information for anyone working in the Irish screen industry. This documentation was prepared by an experienced Irish based Production Accountant.
Note: This course is run over four weeks with weekly assignments plus tutor and peer engagement. The course is self-led with no set times for classes. However, students are expected to complete each module within the relevant week and submit assignments on schedule.
Learn the essential skills to get your first role in this in-demand area of the film & TV industry.
Looking for a communications-led role to break into the industry? Production accounting will take you right to the heart of a production, where an understanding of story is as important as competency working with numbers.
This professional development course will give you a broad overview of the roles, functions and purpose of the accounting team on a UK film or TV production.
Learn practical skills by taking part in real-world scenarios and find out exactly what goes on in a production office, from understanding the structure of a film crew and production timelines to estimating the final cost of a show.
Work with a small group and an expert tutor. You’ll emerge with an understanding of the role, its career progression, an awareness of whether you’d like to work in a production accounts office, and the know-how to get your first role.
It may be possible to arrange work placements for participants interested in obtaining work experience in a production accounts office.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will:
● Understand the costs and expenses that go into a production
● Learn key vocabulary and jargon-busting for production accounting
● Identify the different roles in productions and how they work with each other
● Forecast a budget for a production
● Clearly identify and pursue your potential in production accounting
● Develop the professional skills production accountants require
Schedule
Session 1: What is production accounting?
We introduce the purpose of production accounting and how the team might operate within a production, looking at big studio films, streaming TV series, as well as small docs and current affairs shows. Also, how an understanding of story benefits everyone on the production.
Session 2: Starting up a production
We look at setting up the finance office, including crew and procedures. Types of financing, budgets, cashflows, schedules. We’ll ask you to look at the credits in TV and film to test your knowledge of who does what, and you’ll prepare a cash-flow from a sample budget and schedule.
Session 3: What do assistant production accountants do?
We’ll look in more detail at roles and options for your first job, such as in areas of significant production spend, such as Costume Accountant, Location Accountant and Construction Accountant. You’ll find out about purchase orders, invoices, expenses, Pcards and payroll, with real-life exercises, including completing an audit and expenses form.
Session 4: Forecasting and reporting
We’ll practise forecasting the estimated final cost of a film or TV programme using information gathered from the production. Includes examples of cost reports and how they are used by producers and funders. You’ll review a trial balance and think about next steps, including how to get your first role in a production accounts office.
Participant profile/Who can apply/Eligibility
Open to anyone working, or wishing to work in, the screen industry in the Production Accounts Department. It may suit qualified accountants, accounting technicians or bookkeepers considering moving to the screen industry as an introduction to the industry/department. No accounting work experience required but a level of understanding of accounting theory is important.
All enquiries should be directed to frankeaveney@furthr.ie
Tutor information
Lucy Drake is an experienced freelance financial controller in the film & TV industry. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant who started working as a Drama Production Accountant at the BBC, where she progressed to Senior Production Accountant. Since then, in her freelance career she has worked on numerous HETV dramas, films and documentaries in the UK and worldwide.
Lucy’s IMDb profile: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2210732/
Venue Information
Online with one in-person or on-line day with a Production Accountant after the course is complete.
Costs/fee
Course fee €250 per person. (Normally this workshop would cost €700 per person without Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet, FÍS Éireann/Screen Ireland and NTA, Crew Academy West support.
Deadline for course applications
Monday 10th November at 12noon
Dates and times of the course
Session 1 opens Wednesday 19 November
Session 2 opens Wednesday 23 November
Session 3 opens Wednesday 3 December
Session 4 opens Wednesday 10 December
Course closes Tuesday 16 December
Alumni area opens: Wednesday 17 December
Due to our funding, this course is only available to those resident in the Republic Of Ireland.
For any queries, please contact frankeaveney@furthr.ie
Please apply using the link below.
If the timing of this course does not suit you and would like to be informed about upcoming courses in the production accounting area please register your interest HERE.
CCIS will generally only accept requests for cancellation refunds up to 5 working days before the training course commences. CCIS may allow for refunds outside of this on a case-by-case basis. Any request for a refund must be made via email to frankeaveney@furthr.ie & insert the course name in the subject line.
- Applications are now closed. You can express your interest in participating on this course if we run in the future. See below a link to an Expression of Interest form.