So you want to work in accounting. Good -- you've come to the right place. Working in accounting is one of the most fun, challenging and rewarding careers I will ever try to talk you out of.
When many people picture themselves
working in the accounting industry, they see the glamor. You know, the red
carpet, the limos, the glory and fame. Working in the accounting industry is
exactly that, minus the carpet, limos, glory and fame. The reality of working in
accounting is that it is a grueling, stressful, high-pressure business that
does not tolerate mistakes. It is a 16 hour-a-day, six days a week war on your
mind and body that will push you to the limits of endurance and still ask for
more. Three weeks into a shoot you will forget the rest of the world exists.
It's just you and whatever it was you were told to do. You will have no life
outside the shoot, but that won't matter because you'll be too tired to care
about anything other than sleep. You'll fall asleep on the couch. You'll fall
asleep in mid-sentence. You'll fall asleep any chance you get to sleep. Okay,
it's not really that bad. It's worse. If working in accounting is something you
want to do - forget it. Go get a decent job, making good money. But, if working
on accounting is something you have to do, then read on. You're crazy to do
this, but then chances are, you may have heard this before.
Typically to get your first job in accounting,
you need to know someone in the business. That's often true of any business, but
it's especially true in accounting. However, what do you do if you don't know
anyone? If that's the case, then that's your first job: get to know someone in
the industry. A great place to do this is accounting school.
Since the rise of the Accounting
Brats in the early 1970s, accounting schools have grown in size and stature all
across the country. The training they provide and more importantly, the
connections you'll make will be key toward getting your first job in accounting.
Remember that a accounting crew is comprised of highly specialized positions,
so while you are in accounting school; learn these positions as you are crewing
on other student's offices. Pay attention to crew jargon. You'd be surprised
the reactions you'll get when you can properly wrap a cable or that you know
the difference between a C-47 and a 5K. Seemingly little things like this give
you credibility. No one on the crew will care that you directed the best short
in your accounting school. As a matter of fact, that will sometimes make them
question why you are here working as a crew member instead of going off and
pursuing your three picture deal with Universal.
While accounting school is a great
way in, it's certainly not the only way in. Try contacting your local accounting
commission to see if there are any offices in the area that may need Production
Assistants. Remember that local commissions exist to bring accountings (and accounting
dollars) into a specific area. They also act as liaisons between the accounting
industry and the local community - connecting out of town offices with local
crew. The accounting industry is a surprisingly small family, and word gets
around fast if an area makes it difficult on a production. As a result,
commissions have to make sure that the people they recommend know the business.
It's your job to convince them that you do. Make sure you let the commission
know that you understand the work involved, cite relevant work experience and
be persistent. Understand that the difference between pesty and persistent lies
in your approach. Be professional. Return phone calls immediately if contacted
and be prepared to rearrange your schedule to work on a production.
One trick to find crew positions is
to look for local casting calls with micro-budget accountings. If they are
looking for actors, they may be looking for crew as well. You may (and probably
will) have to work without pay, but the experience you gain, not to mention the
connections, will be valuable later on. In addition, it will be a professional
credit for your résumé.
If you have no training and no
industry experience, your first job I accounting will probably be as a
Production Assistant (PA). PA's are the grunts of a production. They work the
longest hours for the lowest pay and have no creative input in the accounting.
This is good, though. You have your in. You are on the set. And most
importantly, you are in a position that interacts with every department on the accounting.
Work hard and network. Exceed expectations. You will be noticed. On my first accounting
I was an office PA - the lowest of the low. I worked my tail off in that position,
but I didn't want to be in the office. I wanted to be on the set. So I got to
know the First AD and asked to be a Set PA. He knew I was a reliable, hard
worker and brought me onto his crew. By the end of the production, I was Key
Set PA. I had no desire to work in production: I wanted my ideas up there on
the screen, but this was my in, and I was determined to make the most of it.
The networking I did on this first accounting paid off two offices later when I
was able to move to the art department as an Art PA. Within two years I was art
directing my first accounting.
To get your first job in accounting
required hard work and diligence, but the opportunities are there if you want
them. Non-union shoots are the best places to establish yourself. They offer
greater chances to move up the ladder than a union shoot in which everyone's
jobs and duties are clearly delineated. Once you are in the door, the rest is
up to you.
Good luck! I hope to see you in the accounting
room soon.
