Flying Bark Productions is a dynamic and innovative animation studio dedicated to pushing the boundaries of character animation and storytelling. We are working on exciting projects such as Avatar: The Last Airbender feature film, Netflix’s Ghostbusters animated series and Stranger Things animated series, as well as our production Tales From Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan.
The Animation Production Accountant will be responsible for overseeing the day to day finance operations of Flying Bark’s animation productions. This includes budgeting, forecasting, tracking expenses, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and internal financial policies. The role involves close collaboration with Producers and the finance team to keep projects on track and within budget. Reporting directly to the Senior Production Accountant, the position supports detailed cost tracking, cash flow management, and strategic financial planning.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Maintain overall production budgets for animation projects.
• Collaborate with Producers to create department forecasts, staying aligned with updated crew planning.
• Assist with new budget simulations as required.

Cost Tracking & Reporting

• Monitor production expenses, tracking actual costs against budgeted figures.
• Meet regularly with Payroll and Producers to make adjustments as needed.
• Generate monthly cost reports for each project, along with an overall financial summary for the Senior Production Accountant, Financial Controller and Director of Production.

Bidding

• Partner with Producers to create budgets and bids for new projects.
• Liaise with relevant department managers to estimate company overheads.
• Generate and finalize external client bids upon internal approval.

Flex Overhead Budgets

• Collaborate with the Financial Controller to maintain the company Flex Overhead Budgets.
• Monitor expenditure and update financial forecasts as needed.

Payroll Support

• Assist Payroll with crew queries regarding pay rates, overtime, entitlements, benefits, or union/guildrequirements, processing and checking of payruns.

Invoice & Vendor Management

• Review and process vendor invoices, ensuring all contracts, purchase orders, and deliverables align with theproduction budget.
• Work with the finance team to ensure timely processing of payments.

Tax Credit Reconciliation

• Regularly reconcile tax credit estimates, ensuring compliance with government regulations and stakeholderagreements.
• Monitor crew plans for resource location changes, managing excluded expenditures within budget.

Reconciliation & Audits

• Support the finance team with internal and external audits to ensure compliance with financial regulations.

Cash Flow Management

• Monitor cash flow schedules to ensure timely payments from clients and stakeholders.
• Ensure any schedule changes impacting cash flow are approved by the Senior Production Accountant and Financial Controller.

Cost-Saving Measures

• Identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising production quality.
• Provide recommendations to Producers and the Senior Production Accountant.

Collaboration with Production Teams

• Act as a liaison between finance and production departments.
• Facilitate smooth communication and resolve any financial issues that arise.