The Center for Africana Futures Community Education Program, in partnership with Entertainment Partners, Cast and Crew, GreenSlate, and the leading film, television, and entertainment professionals, will provide a 10-week Production Accounting Certificate curriculum.   

Applications Open for Cohort 1 Are Open NOW

Cohorts will attend weekly sessions led by faculty and industry experts. The 10-week program will culminate with the certification exam and access to employment opportunities with some of the top industry firms, studios, and production companies.

Each session will include

• Access and training with proprietary software

• Mock exams and application exercises

• Guest lectures from prominent Production Accountants and Industry Experts

How to Apply and Program Cost

Applicants to the cohort

Applicants must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. In addition, the application requires a short statement of interest, academic background, and a resume. There is no application fee required.

Cohort applications will be accepted from May 15, 2024 - July 1, 2024.

The 10-week session costs $3500 and includes access to software, education materials, and the learning platform. Payment is due upon acceptance to the program. All payments must be completed by July 24, 2024.

The cohort begins on July 13, 2024, and ends on September 14, 2024. Each session will be held on a Saturday for three hours. Payment is non-refundable. 

Professional Benefits

There are several benefits to being a certified Production Payroll Accountant, including flexibility to work remotely, travel with productions, and the opportunity to grow in the industry. In addition, production Payroll Accounts start at a competitive salary that grows as you do.

Program Curriculum

Location: Online

Dates: July 13, 2024 - September 14, 2024

Course Meetings: Saturdays for 3 hours per session

Required Course Materials and Software:

o   Entertainment Partners’ Production Finance Studio products (access provided by the course)

o   Cast & Crew’s suite of production accounting products (access provided by the course)

o   Greenslate software - products (access provided by the course)

o   Movie Magic Budgeting/Scheduling (access provided by the course)

o   Microsoft Excel

Learning Outcomes: Students completing this certification program will be able to:

o   Proficiently read and analyzed non-union and union TV and film budgets

o   Provide payroll accounting services for non-union, SAG, WGA, and DGA payroll

o   Assist Lead Accountant with guild payroll

o   Proficient in all areas concerning the assistant account/lead accountant

o   Work closely with the Unit Production Manager 

o   Utilize the latest production accounting software (PSL – Studio+/Smart Accounting) and Greenslate)

o   Introduction Movie Magic Budgeting – Cost-reporting

Program Course Curriculum

Week 1.     Introduction to Production Accounting

Week 2.     Guild contracts

Week 3.     Reading the Budget

Week 4.     Accounting software -EP

Week 5.     Accounting Software – Cast & Crew

Week 6.     Accounting Software – Greenslate

Week 7.     Accounting Software – Greenslate

Week 8.     Union and Non-Union Payroll overview, Cost Reporting overview

Week 10.  FINAL EXAM

Contact Information

Production Accounting Program Director
Dr. Tyrone D. Dixon
tyrone.dixon@tsu.edu
713.313.1343

Director of the Center for Africana Futures
Dr. Toniesha L. Taylor
toniesha.taylor@tsu.edu
713.313.7544