Classes

Our inaugural course, “Getting Into Production Accounting,” is available NOW!

This fun and information-packed course teaches the skills and knowledge to start a career in production accounting.

ThisTo find out all about it and to enroll, click the button below.

I WANT IN!

** Please note – The course curriculum for our other courses is still under development. Stay tuned for future course dates. **

  • Designed for working finance professionals, the Key Accountant training will be divided into modules – each one focusing on a particular aspect. The program would build on the students existing knowledge with entertainment specific training – reports unique to the entertainment industry.

    Participants will be given a project scenario (script, schedules, location, timeframe) to effectively budget, then hot cost, then cost report. Their project will evolve with them over the weeks of training, and they will turn in exercises for review/feedback along the way including preliminary budgets, revised budgets based on simulated Producer and Studio notes, locking a final budget, and importing the budget into accounting software. As they progress to cost reporting, they will use their locked budget to prepare daily hot costs (both in feature film and episodic TV formats – depending on the project they are assigned) and prepare cost reports. As part of learning to manage their office, team and workflow, they will be given sample edits of input sessions to review for accuracy and approve for posting (or give corrections that must be made prior to posting).

    Special emphasis will be placed on understanding payroll contracts in order to budget properly and provide informed approval. Students will review and approve payroll new hire paperwork, timecards and edits by account prior to posting. They will perform in this sample environment all the functions they will be performing as the Key Accountant on a show.

    Although designed as a series of modules that when combined create a certification program, existing Production Accountants may apply to take individual modules to enhance their existing skills.

  • Payroll will also be a series of modules from the basics of breaking timecards, to reading and interpreting labor contracts, to communication skills. Special attention will be given the new “paperless” tools for digital on-boarding, timecards and record-keeping methods. We will also provide focused learning opportunities with courses specific to various labor contracts – SAG, DGA, WGA, Post-Production/Editors, Basic Agreement, ASA, SVOD, etc. For example, if a Payroll Accountant has never worked in Louisiana, they can take the ASA short course to become knowledgeable on that contract.

    A beginner can take the basic modules, then seek employment as an assistant payroll accountant to gain experience before taking advanced modules. Working payroll accountants can enhance their skill set by taking advanced modules and specific contract classes. A prospective hire can be guided through the specific classes needed to prepare for your upcoming project.

  • These courses will be designed to teach the specific skills needed to advance within the career of production accounting. Again, the focus will be hands-on in a test environment to enable them to do the tasks just as they will once on-the-job. Emphasis will be on digital tools and “paperless” accounting.

    We also hope these courses will entice experienced professionals from outside the entertainment industry to take their existing skills and apply them to the unique aspects of production; to enable them to move laterally into production accounting rather than moving backward to entry-level tasks and a lower income in order to get a foot in the door.

  • Scheduled to launch in summer 2023

    The entry-level training will introduce applicants to the unique aspects of production accounting such that upon completion they would be prepared for a position as a clerk, a payroll clerk, or digital filing assistant.

    The course will be conducted on-line to include lectures, practical demonstrations and hands-on homework assignments. Students will learn industry terminology, common production paperwork, how to conduct yourself on the job, how does an accounting office function, the clerk’s role on the team, and review of all the basic clerk duties.

    This course will prepare students to become general Clerks, AP Clerks, Payroll Clerks and Digital Coordinators (assisting crew members to learn and get comfortable with digital tools like on-boarding, timecards and digital purchase orders).

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.