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

Applications Open for Cohort 1 Are CLOSED

Cohorts 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.

Curriculum includes

• 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 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.

The 10-week session costs $ 3,500 and includes access to software, educational materials, and the learning platform. Payment is due upon acceptance into the program. 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 the flexibility to work remotely and travel with productions, as well as the opportunity to grow in the industry. In addition, production Payroll Accounts start at a competitive salary that grows as you do.

Program Curriculum

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 Payroll Accounting Program Director
Dr. Tyrone D. Dixon
ppacertification@centerforafricanafutures.org

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