Film Production Accountants need to understand not only the principles of accurate bookkeeping and accountancy, but also those of the wider filmmaking process. They must have strong numerical and organisational skills, as well as being good team-players, capable of communicating effectively with Financiers, Producers, Production Managers and other production office staff.

Short films may employ a single Production Accountant to carry out the accountancy functions, while on feature films there is usually a team of three or more Accountants. The accountancy section manages budgets, payrolls, taxes, insurance claims, and at the end of the production, closes the film down financially.

The team must have a thorough knowledge of union, guild, tax, Health & Safety and other relevant Government regulations and legislation, and they are responsible for ensuring that bills are paid, and for maintaining financial records during production. In the UK, members of the Production Accounting team are also involved in the wider film making process, and are in regular communication with other members of the Production crew. As this is not the case in other countries, Production Accountants with UK film industry experience enjoy strong career prospects around the world.