Production Accountant
Moore Kingston SmithThe successful candidate will support a portfolio of theatre and production clients, handling day-to-day production accounts and working closely with both clients and colleagues to ensure timely, accurate reporting. You’ll report to the Assistant Manager and be part of a team that values clarity and reliability in every balance and statement.
The role suits someone who holds an accounting qualification (or is working toward one) and enjoys a deadline-driven pace. Previous theatre or production accounting experience is advantageous but not essential, as long as you’re comfortable with the responsibilities and willing to learn the specifics of the sector.
A day in the life behind the numbers
On a typical week you’ll post payroll journals accurately, follow client instructions and sector rules, and surgically examine any unusual movements. You’ll keep on top of bank, petty cash, purchase ledger and supplier payment reconciliations, ensuring the numbers align with the underlying transactions. You’ll also handle sales contra calculations and post the necessary accounting adjustments so the ledgers stay clean.
Weekly production accounts will be your staple, including reconciliations, prepayments, accruals and a detailed look at variances. You’ll monitor actual production costs against budgets and cash-flow forecasts, flagging unusual balances or emerging issues promptly so clients and colleagues can act quickly. You’ll prepare royalty, merchandise royalty and profit distribution statements, reconciling these to control accounts and communicating payment details to the relevant stakeholders.
VAT returns, sector-specific adjustments, and supporting CT61 and FEU form submissions will be part of the routine, along with completing government surveys and providing ad hoc financial analysis to meet client requirements. You’ll contribute to year-end accounting schedules at the first-draft stage and assist with Theatre Tax Relief workings. Building solid relationships with clients and internal teammates is key, and you’ll travel to client premises in London when required to keep everyone aligned.
Must-haves you should meet
- An accounting qualification or current progress toward one
- Practical experience in production accounting, management accounting, bookkeeping or a similar finance role that includes regular reporting and reconciliations
- Experience posting journals and investigating discrepancies, with the ability to explain unusual movements
- Hands-on practice with bank, control account and purchase ledger reconciliations, plus prepayments and accruals
- Experience producing management or production accounts and reviewing costs against budgets or forecasts
- Intermediate Excel skills, including formulas, lookups, pivot tables and maintaining reconciliation schedules
- Familiarity with accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage 50 or a comparable system
- Evidence of juggling multiple deadlines while staying accurate in a client-focused environment
- Strong written and verbal communication, keen attention to detail and a proactive approach to resolving queries
- Willingness to travel to client premises within London when required
Desirable extras to boost your odds
- Experience in theatre, entertainment, media or another production-led sector
- Background in preparing royalty or profit distribution statements
- Experience handling VAT returns, CT61 or FEU submissions
- Exposure to year-end accounts preparation or Theatre Tax Relief workings
Pay, perks and practical details
The role carries a salary between £42,000 and £45,000 per year, reflecting the level of responsibility and the client-facing nature of the work. It’s based in the West End, London, with hybrid working that balances office collaboration and flexible time. Moore Kingston Smith describes the position as permanent and full time, reporting to the Assistant Manager as part of a dedicated Theatre team. Travel to client premises in London is a possibility when required.
benefits include generous annual leave (25 days plus three extra days at Christmas), private health insurance via Digicare+ and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, plus support for professional subscriptions. The firm emphasises an inclusive culture and a commitment to flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
Tips to help you stand out for this role
Lead your resume with your accounting qualification or current progress toward it, then spotlight any theatre or production accounting work you’ve done, especially where you handled payroll journals or weekly production accounts.
Back up your experience with concrete examples: demonstrate how you posted journals, performed bank and purchase ledger reconciliations, and conducted variance analyses that informed a budgeting or forecasting decision. Mention the software you’ve used (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage 50, or similar) and your Excel proficiency with real numbers from past roles.
Be ready to walk through a time you identified and resolved a discrepancy in reconciliations or a payroll variances situation, and explain how you communicated findings to clients or teammates while keeping deadlines intact. Prepare to discuss VAT, CT61/FEU submissions or Theatre Tax Relief work if you’ve had any exposure, even in a supporting role.
When you’re in the interview, ask about how the team collaborates with clients to meet reporting deadlines and which technologies or processes are used to manage weekly payroll, royalty statements and production costs. A good question to leave with: what’s the biggest challenge the production accounting team is facing this quarter and how could this role help address it?