Production Accounting For Film & Television Department Contact: Entertainment Studies Program 310-825-9064 EntertainmentStudies@uclaextension.edu Instructors Contact Information Office Hours Aved Savoulian Greg Hemstreet TBA TBA By Appointment General Information Description Responsible for maintaining financial controls and financial reporting of all production funds, the production accountant must provide timely and accurate reporting of the financial information that will enable the producers to maximize production values. This comprehensive course covers duties, including set up and oversight of all accounting functions, such as budgeting, cost reporting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, petty cash, purchase orders, BTL payroll, ATL payroll, per diem, and banking and knowledge of signatory guilds and unions. Other topics include related software; insurance; labor laws; and production tax credits, rebates, and refunds. Prerequisite: Familiarity with basic production; some accounting knowledge helpful. Internet access required to retrieve course materials. Guest speakers will be scheduled for most sessions. Expectations Attendance and participation in discussions is highly encouraged. Please turn off/silence cell phones X 404.2 Syllabus Page 1
Course Goals & Objectives Gain a broad understanding of: what Production Accounting is understand key terms and production concepts; understanding relationship between production accounting and Studios, Producers, outside financing; provide suggestions on how to market oneself in the Production Accounting field Materials Required Materials No required material Required Texts No required texts Course Schedule (subject to change to accommodate guest speakers) Unit Topics Activities Quiz 1 Class #1 Monday, January 5, 2015 2 Class #2 Monday, January 12, 2015 No class on January 19th 3 Class #3 Monday, January 26, 2015 Controllership Skills Required Job Duties / Descriptions Org Chart / Different Types of Accountants Software Common Reports Common Industry Terms Guilds & Unions General Ledger Bank Reconciliations Accounting System Structure Chart of Accounts / Break Levels Budgeting Software Budgeting Cash Flow Setting Up a Bank Account Types of Accounts - ZBA or Funded Signature Cards, Check Stock, Encashment Uploads, Positive Pay, Stop Payments Studio charges - Billover / Rebill Quiz #1 X 404.2 Syllabus Page 2
Unit Topics Activities Quiz 4 Class #4 Monday, February 2, 2015 5 Class #5 Monday, February 9, 2015 No class on February 16th 6 Class #6 Saturday, February 21, 2015 7 Class #7 Saturday, February 21, 2015 8 Class #8 Monday, February 23, 2015 9 Class #9 Monday, March 2, 2015 10 Class #10 Monday, March 9, 2015 11 Class #11 Monday, March 16, 2015 12 Class #12 Monday, March 23, 2015 Purchase of Foreign Funds Currency Gain / Loss Payroll & Fringes Unions & Guilds / Rules & Regulations The Payroll Company Set, Free and Insurance fields Separate episode number Accounts Payable Deposits Petty Cash, Floats, Effect on EFC's Purchase Orders, Relieving P.O.'s & Dept Approvals Opening Mail, Stamping & Routing. Filing Invoices, P.O.'s and check copies Pink Binders for P.O.'s and Checks Void Checks Check Runs - Micro Printers Hot Costs Trial Balance, Errors & Acct Balances Cost Report - Summary & Detail Vendor Inquiry, Ledger Inquiry Payroll & Fringe Check Register Evolution of Production Accounting VFX, Production Incentives. Insurance Claims. ATL Guilds How to Break-In to Prod. Acctg. Instructor Evaluations Wrap & Final Exam Quiz #2 Quiz #3 Quiz #4 Final Exam Assignments & Grading Assignment Breakdown: Assignment Type Description Points Percentage of Final Quiz #1 Class Quiz #1 15 15% X 404.2 Syllabus Page 3
Quiz #2 Class Quiz #2 15 15% Quiz #3 Class Quiz #3 15 15% Quiz #4 Class Quiz #4 15 15% Final Exam Class Final 25 25% Attendence & Participation 15 15% TOTALS: 100 Points 100% Grading Scheme Grade Percentage Letter Grade Pass/Fail 90-100% A Pass 80-89% B Pass 70-79% C Pass 60-69% D Fail >59% F Fail Course Policies Academic Honesty Policy Academic dishonesty covers behavior in cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication of information. These behaviors are not tolerated. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the UCLA Extension Student Conduct Code and the official statements regarding cheating and plagiarism at: https://www.uclaextension.edu/pages/str/studentconduct.aspx Services for Students with Disabilities In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, UCLA Extension provides appropriate accommodations and support services to qualified applicants and students with disabilities. These include, but are not limited to, auxiliary aids/services, such as note takers, audiotaping of courses, sign language interpreters, and assistive-listening devices for hearing-impaired individuals, extended time for and proctoring of exams, and registration assistance. Accommodations and types of support services vary and are specifically designed to meet the disability-related needs of each stude3nt based on current, verifiable medical documentation. Arrangements for auxiliary aids/services are available only through UCLA Extension Disabled Student Services at (310) 825-4581 (voice/tty) or by email at access@uclaextension.edu. Please request such arrangements with at X 404.2 Syllabus Page 4
least five working days advance notice. All assistance is handled in confidence. Accommodations must be preapproved. Requests for retroactive accommodation will not be accepted. Due Dates & Late Work Please inform instructors in advance if you are going to miss a class or quiz. We will do our best to accommodate missed quizzes however it is not guaranteed that we will. X 404.2 Syllabus Page 5