Introduction
In the fast-moving world of film and television, you need specialist support to manage budgets, tax reliefs, and production accounting. That’s where professional Accounting Services for the Film and TV Industry come into play. Because productions involve complex funding, cross-border spend, union payrolls, VAT issues and tax credit filings, you cannot rely on standard accounting. In this article, we explore the critical software tools available in 2025 and demonstrate how the exemplary service helps you stay compliant, efficient, and financially secure.
Why bespoke accounting services matter in film and TV
The sector’s financial workflows differ significantly from those of other industries. Productions function under tight timelines, variable cash flows, multiple parties (studios, financiers, broadcasters), and ever-changing tax incentives. According to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW), “Accounting for the film and broadcast media industry is a specialist area that requires expertise and an understanding of the sector.” ICAEW
When you engage dedicated Accounting Services for the Film and TV Industry, you gain:
- Experts familiar with tax reliefs, such as Film Tax Relief and creative industry reliefs, including the associated eligibility criteria. GOV.UK+1
- accurate production cost-reporting systems and audit-ready documentation
- software integration with production finance, payroll and vendor management
Therefore, choosing an exemplary accounting service means smoother production, lower audit risk, and improved financial visibility.
Key software tools every production accountant should know
Good accounting services for the film and TV industry deploy purpose-built software. Here are standout tools.
Production-tailored accounting platforms
Examples include SmartAccounting, which offers real-time dashboards, document uploads, ACH payments, and audit-ready report templates. Importantly, it is compatible with UK tax regimes (including Making Tax Digital). Entertainment Partners
Another option is PSL+ from Cast & Cre, a global production finance solution that supports multiple currencies, provides real-time cost tracking, handles vendor payments, and meets UK VAT requirements. Cast & Crew
End-to-end production accounting and payroll
Software such as Eclipse by TPH Global offers general-ledger modules, PO tracking, and freelancer portals specifically designed for film and TV workflows. TPH Global
For mobile and digital workflows, Digital ProductionOffice by Sargent-Disc simplifies remote working, onboarding, timesheets, and reporting for UK productions. Sargent-Disc
Why these tools matter
- They deliver real-time cost control, which matters when budgets change daily on set.
- They support tax incentive compliance, helping ensure productions meet cultural tests, core cost rules and documentation needs. GOV.UK+1
- They provide audit-ready documentation for financiers, studios and tax authorities.
- They help automate payroll, vendor payment, and expense management across international shoots.
When your accounting service offers these tools, you elevate production control and reduce risk.
How software supports tax relief and compliance
The right software is deeply connected to tax reliefs and compliance, and accounting services for the film and TV industry must integrate this.
Film & TV tax reliefs in the UK
For example, UK productions can claim Film Tax Relief: if a film qualifies as British, then an additional deduction or a payable credit is possible. GOV.UK
The software and accounting service must:
- Track UK core costs vs non-UK costs.
- Prepare the certificate from the British Film Institute (BFI) and maintain supporting cost breakdowns.
- Ensure the claim is submitted within the timeframe (after 1 April 2024, up to 2 years after period end). GOV.UK
Monitoring production costs and funding
Productions often juggle multiple funding sources, international shoots, co-productions and tax credits. Software that records ledger entries, cost categories, spending against budget, and cash flow enables accounting services to provide actionable guidance.
For instance, the ICAEW notes that film industry accounting guidance covers production forecasting, cost reporting, payroll and foreign filming. ICAEW
When your accountant uses these specialised tools, you ensure your production meets relief criteria and avoids costly errors later.
Choosing an accounting service for your film or TV production
Selecting the exemplary accounting service is as important as choosing the right software. Here’s what to ask.
Criteria to evaluate
- Specialist experience – Have they worked on productions, handled tax relief claims, and dealt with BFI and HMRC issues? For example, firms that advertise “film, TV and video games” services show the right niche. Saffery
- Software capability – Do they provide or integrate production accounting software, payroll systems, cost-reporting platforms and remote workflows?
- Compliance track record – Have they managed relief claims, audits, cross-border VAT and royalty issues in the UK and internationally?
- Transparent service & pricing – Clear scope covering production finance, ledgers, cost reports, tax reliefs, audits and distribution waterfalls.
- Production-friendly workflows – including short timelines, remote tools, multi-currency support, and vendor payment systems— all matter in film and TV.
Questions to ask your potential accountant
- “What production accounting platform do you use?”
- “How do you manage Film Tax Relief claims and BFI certification?”
- “How do you integrate cost-reporting tools with production and vendor management?”
- “Can you handle cross-border shoots, VAT and international payments?”
By asking these questions, you ensure that your accounting service supports both technology and tax compliance.
Practical tips to implement the exemplary service & tools for 2025
Here are action steps to ensure you’re ready for 2025 productions using professional accounting services for the film and TV industry:
- Start early in pre-production – Involve your accountant before principal photography. Early setup of ledgers, budgets, and software integration pays off.
- Align software workflows – Choose production accounting software that links budgets, payroll, vendor payments and cost reporting.
- Build audit-grade documentation – Ensure that all core costs, vendor invoices, timesheets, location spend, and foreign spend are accurately recorded and properly tagged.
- Track tax relief eligibility continuously – Monitor BFI test, UK spend thresholds and international co-productions throughout the project.
- Manage cross-border and VAT issues – Utilise software and accountants who are familiar with UK VAT rules, international filming costs, and currency controls.
- Ensure real-time visibility – Use dashboards and weekly cost reports to keep production managers, accountants, and line producers aligned.
- Review post-production and claiming process – Once production ends, accountants must compile the claim, prepare supplementary pages, and submit it within the deadlines. GOV.UK
By taking these steps and relying on specialist accounting services for the film and TV industry, you protect your production from budget overruns, tax risks and compliance issues.
The future of film & TV accounting tools
Looking ahead into 2025 and beyond, the tech stack available to production accountants is evolving rapidly. Cloud-based platforms with AI-driven spend analytics, mobile timecard apps for international crews, multi-currency ledgers, and full integration with tax-relief workflows are becoming the standard. For example, software vendors claim to have systems built by production accountants themselves, designed to “disrupt” traditional workflows. TPH Global
Accounting services for the film and TV industry that utilise these tools enable faster close-outs, deeper insights, improved compliance, and more competitive productions. As the global streaming market expands and cross-border shoots increase, you’ll benefit by adopting up-to-date workflows and support.
Internal links for further reading
- For creative industry firms in other niches, read our blog on How to Stay Compliant as a Content Creator.
- To understand tax reliefs in detail for start-ups, visit our article on Accountants for Tech Startups.
Conclusion
For productions in 2025, having specialist Accounting Services for the Film and TV Industry is no longer optional—it’s essential. With the right production accounting software, real-time cost control, tax-relief-claim workflows and expert advisors, you position your project for success. Whether you’re filming in the UK, overseas or distributing globally, you’ll benefit from a service that understands the sector’s unique demands and supports compliance, efficiency and financial visibility.
Ready to optimise your finances with expert guidance? Contact JungleTax today at hello@jungletax.co.uk or call 0333 880 7974 to speak with our specialist accountants.
FAQs
They handle production ledgers, cost tracking, payroll for cast/crew, vendor payments, tax relief claims (such as Film Tax Relief), VAT, audits and financial reports.
Software designed for film and TV lets you manage budgets, vendor payments, time-cards, cost reports and tax compliance in one place—making the accountant’s job far smoother.
Yes. If you meet the UK’s criteria (e.g., BFI certification, minimum UK spend), your production may qualify for Film Tax Relief or similar reliefs—your accounting service will guide you. GOV.UK
Ask if they have experience in the film and TV sector, what software they use, how they handle tax relief claims, and check their track record with audit-ready documentation and cross-border work.
As early as possible—preferably in pre-production—so your accounting systems, software, budgeting and compliance workflows are in place before shooting begins.