Navigating the World of Production Accounting on-set and in corporate set-up: Interview with Amy Chew
Read More
October 05, 2023
Gabby is a Production Accountant working with Warner Bros. Entertainment Group of Companies. She has a decade of production accounting experience, working both as a freelancer and with various corporates.
From pre-production to post-production, production accountants monitor every expenditure and financial transaction related to a film. The craft services snacks, the extra pens for the production office, 800 gallons of gold paint for an elaborate set, a specific, tiny piece of electrical hardware that only costs $0.58 - they all pass through the hands of Production Accountants.
Their magic lies in creating and adhering to budgets, transforming transactions into reports, handling payroll, and maintaining comprehensive financial records.
As the financial custodians of the film, Production Accountants are indispensable in the pursuit of cinematic excellence while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Production Accountants collaborate closely with the film's producers and department heads to create comprehensive budgets encompassing various aspects of the production, including pre-production, shooting, post-production, marketing, and distribution.
Through diligent cost control and monitoring, accountants help keep the production on budget, maximizing resources and minimizing waste. It determines the budget set by a business for the number of production units produced during the filmmaking.
A financial statement prepared by the Accountant specifying the amount of money needed to make the project and how to obtain the required amount. It also includes the incoming and outgoing flow of cash during production.
Production Accountants play a pivotal role in creating the financial plan for a film. Their process begins by collaborating closely with the film's creative and production teams to gain a thorough understanding of the project's scope and creative vision. They meticulously review the screenplay and storyboard to identify the production requirements, including locations, cast, crew, special effects, and equipment.
Drawing on their expertise in budgeting and financial analysis, Production Accountants prepare a detailed breakdown of expenses for each phase of the film's production, from pre-production through post-production and marketing. They factor in costs such as salaries, production design, costumes, set construction, transportation, insurance, and catering. They also account for potential contingencies and unforeseen expenses.
Furthermore, production accountants consider tax incentives, subsidies, and rebates that may be available in certain shooting locations, aiming to optimize cost savings. They collaborate with Line Producers and other department heads to ensure that the budget is realistic and adheres to the creative vision of the film.
Production Accountants are required to make a financial statement of accounting listing all the expenditures and income for the production.
During filming, Production Accountants diligently track expenses, reviewing and approving each expenditure to ensure it stays within the approved budget. They also actively seek cost-saving opportunities without compromising the film's quality, negotiating with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms.
Additionally, Production Accountants handle payroll, manage cash flow, and keep an eye out for tax incentives and rebates available in different shooting locations. By providing accurate financial reporting and contingency planning for unforeseen circumstances, production accountants maintain financial discipline, enabling the successful completion of the film within budgetary constraints.
To prepare a cost report, film Production Accountants begin by collecting and organizing all financial data related to the film production. They meticulously review and categorize expenses, such as cast and crew salaries, equipment rentals, set construction, post-production costs, marketing, and distribution expenses. The Accountants then compare the actual expenditures to the approved budget, analyzing any variances that may have occurred. They calculate the total spending to date and project the estimated costs for the remaining phases of production.
Production Accountants may incorporate any tax incentives or rebates obtained during filming to provide a comprehensive financial overview. The final cost report is typically presented as a summary accompanied by detailed explanations of the financial status of the project. This report is a valuable tool for filmmakers and producers, helping them make informed decisions, maintain financial discipline, and ensure the successful completion of the film within budgetary constraints.
It is necessary to process current and previous cost data structures to predict an estimate of the costs. This is one of the major aspects involved in financial planning required in the initial production stage. Forecasting involves predicting future financial outcomes based on historical data and current trends.
Production Accountants analyze the film's expenses and revenue streams up to the present point in the production process to perform forecasting. They carefully consider various factors, including the spending patterns of different departments, the pace of filming, and any changes in the project's scope. By extrapolating this information, they project the expected expenses for the remaining production phases.
Production Accountants must also factor in potential cost fluctuations, unforeseen circumstances, and adjustments to the production schedule. The forecasting process allows filmmakers and producers to gain valuable insights into the project's financial health and make informed decisions to ensure that the film is completed on budget and within financial targets.
In a way, Production Accountants are time travelers: they budget and forecast for the future, then return to the past to compare and the actual spending to the pre-production budget. They have to keep a lot of plates spinning and make sure all the ducks are in a row, but at the end of the day, the production accountants keep the engine of production running along smoothly!
The Revolution Team
