Students
Would you enjoy working in Production Accounting?
Have you ever wished you could be part the entertainment industry?
Would you enjoy seeing your name in the credits at the end of a film or TV show?
Do you like working with numbers in an orderly fashion, but crave a bit of excitement and adventure?
Do you like meeting and working with new people from many walks of life?
Do you consider yourself a life-long learner and take on new challenges with enthusiasm?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may have found a great career path.
What is Production Accounting?
Specialized team that handles all financial matters for the production of a specific film or television project.
They provide the current financial status to empower the Producers to make well-informed decisions in real time.
A vital part of every production, they work hand-in-hand with Producers and the Studio (or company providing the funding).
Hired project-by-project, they work wherever the project is shooting – be that on a studio lot, or distant location, or even a foreign country.
Although it involves all the basics of good bookkeeping, it is an exclusive field and requires specialized training to adapt quickly and aid in your success.
The School of Production Accounting was founded by Ida Lee Henderson, a veteran of both film and television production, to provide job specific training for those who might not have otherwise known of or had access to this field within the entertainment industry; to bring talented people from diverse backgrounds into this fulfilling profession.
Mission Statement
To provide quality training programs in all aspects of Production Accounting that will certify highly qualified financial professionals for the entertainment industry and thereby enhance the quality not only of the financial reporting, but the quality of production as a whole.
To provide an opportunity for participants world-wide to train and enter the field of Production Accounting for the entertainment industry leading to successful and lucrative careers.
How Will SPA Conduct Training?
Catering to working professionals, courses will be held nights, weekends, or video classes on-demand.
Training will be “hand’s on,” using apps and performing new skills in a simulated environment.
Classes will be held live in a classroom, live via Zoom, or via an interactive on-line learning system.
Students will also be expected to schedule 2 to 6 hours per week outside of classtime to complete homework tasks.
Advanced training to become a Key Accountant or Payroll Accountant will be a series of courses or modules, all of which must be completed successfully to obtain certification.
Planned Courses
Our inaugural course, “Getting Into Production Accounting,” is available NOW!
This entry-level course will teach you all you need to know to get started on your career in production accounting right away.
For information about the course and how to enroll - Click “Yes, I’m interested” below.
** Please note – The course curriculum beyond Entry-Level is still under development. Stay tuned for future course dates. **
-
Training in all the basics to start as a General Clerk, AP Clerk, or Payroll Clerk. Learn the tasks and terminology used in Production Accounting and how to be an effective member of the crew.
-
Training in accounts payable, vendor relationships, purchasing cards, petty cash, mastering paperless systems and communication skills – all coursework specific to these functions as performed for production in the entertainment industry.
-
Training to include complying with studio or financier requirements and reporting, banking tasks, effective supervision and team building, office management, and building relationships with department heads.
-
Training in payroll from A to Z, focused classes on specific contracts (SAG, DGA, WGA, SVOD, ASA, etc.), working effectively with payroll providers, transitioning to and best practices for digital systems, and communication skills.
-
Budgeting from inception to locked budget, applied payroll knowledge, effective cost reporting, building your team/hiring, communication skills, and managing in a paperless environment.
Testimonials
-
![]()
- Eugene H
“You were a wonderful teacher and I was incredibly lucky to have a teacher like you, and I wouldn’t be at my current job if it were not for you! I am working on a show as an Accounting Clerk at Warner Bros. I have literally used everything I learned from you and I can honestly say I am doing well working hard and having a wonderful time. Thank you so much!”
-
![]()
- Jim M
“After having worked in the entertainment industry for 5 1/2 years, I still learned much about the industry from Ida Lee's class, not to mention the wealth of knowledge I gained about starting a career in accounting. Ida Lee has a straightforward and clear manner of instruction that allows you to easily follow and take notes for reference later on. This is an industry where everyone is looking for people who don't need training. I am thankful Ida Lee took on the task of training to make us more marketable. Additionally, she did the unthinkable. She provided clear direction on how to create a strong resume, even offering feedback on how to improve it. That's something I didn't even get from my grad program!”
UPDATE: I have secured a payroll clerk job on a Ryan Murphy show. The CFC class, without a doubt, helped me convince everyone to take me on. I literally pulled out my notebook of notes and was able to reference topics we covered. It was wonderful. I wanted to let you know and thank you again for all your work helping us out!
-
![]()
- Marissa P
“Ida Lee is a wonderful teacher. She taught us a great deal about production accounting and the entertainment industry. Soon after completing the class, I landed a job as a production finance assistant at a studio. I would definitely recommend her class.”
-
![]()
- Juan L
“The knowledge, experience, and advice you'll get from Ida Lee's teaching are INVALUABLE! Not only will you get insider knowledge and training to get you lightyears ahead, but you'll get a teacher that actually cares about who you are and what you want to do in your career. I highly suggest that you join her course!"
-
![]()
- Edith J
“As a result of your teaching and sharing your experience in the industry, I have gained a deeper understanding of production accounting, which has been instrumental in my professional development in the field. The course was informative, engaging, and taught by a dedicated and passionate instructor. I wholeheartedly endorse Ida Lee as a teacher and highly recommend the School of Production Accounting to anyone seeking to enhance their skills in the field of production accounting. Thank you for your guidance!”
-
![]()
- Lisett E.
“Ida Lee gave us a very comprehensive picture of production accounting on this course. I am thankful to her for generously sharing her experience and knowledge. Each module is explained very clearly and concisely, and the video explanations are gold! I have kept handy all the materials she gave us for whenever I need them!”
-
![]()
- Christine M
“Thank you so much, Ida Lee! The course has been amazing, the perfect balance between how to do things, and why they are done that way. So often in my career, there was little contextualization for tasks - which makes the tasks more difficult! I truly appreciate your candor and encouragement.“
-
![]()
- Nilson S
Ida Lee's patience and expertise gave me the confidence I needed to pursue a career in the world of film and television. I'm now working on the studio side of finance, but what I learned from Ida Lee has proven invaluable when meeting with Production Accountants and everyone involved at different stages of the production planning process.
