Film and TV drama
Cashier
Also known as: Accounts trainee
What does a cashier do?
Cashiers help assistant accountants and production accountants keep accurate records of how the money on a film or TV drama is spent.
They primarily deal with expense claims, comparing what people have claimed with the receipts they have submitted, and making sure VAT is claimed where appropriate. They also track money that’s been given to crew (floats), and make sure this money is available to the relevant crew members (and returned at the end of a shoot).
They also perform petty cash reconciliations, where the cash on site is counted and cross referenced with outgoing spends. They photocopy, input data, and back up data. They might help ensure a production isn’t over-spending by providing comparisons between the budget and the actual spending. They also make tea.
Watch and read
What’s a cashier good at?
- Maths: enjoy figures, spreadsheets and data
- Watching film and TV drama: have a passion for the genre and a love of the industry
- Learning by watching and asking: observe what’s happening and ask questions at the appropriate moments
- Taking instruction: listen to the production accountant and do what’s asked
- Discretion: able to keep confidential information to yourself
- Communication: be social and work well with the accounts department, be able to chat to people in each department and learn what is going on in the production
- Working long hours: work the same hours as the crew who will be working longer than 9 to 5 to make the most of the shooting day
Tools of the trade
- Some companies will provide you with a computer but not all. Have your own just in case.
- Calculator
Who does a cashier work with?
Cashiers work with production accountants and finance controllers.
How do I become a cashier?
At school or college:
If you want to go to university, A-levels or Highers in accounting, business or business studies and maths are useful. Or you might want to take a Level 3 vocational qualification in business, bookkeeping or accounting. Look at what your local college offers in those subjects such as:
- T level in Management and Administration
- T level in Accounting
- OCR Technical Diploma / Extended Diploma in Business 
- AAT Diploma in Accounting
Get an apprenticeship:
Apprenticeships are jobs with training. They’re a great opportunity to earn while you learn. It can be challenging to find jobs as an apprentice with production companies so it might be worth looking for a job as an apprentice in an industry that uses similar skills.
Before taking any apprenticeship, check what you’ll be learning with your prospective employer and college, so you can be sure it will be giving you the skills you want. Go to Find an apprenticeship to learn how to find apprenticeships in your region or approach companies directly.
Get a degree:
If you want a degree, a degree in accountancy would be very useful, especially if you want to work your way up to production accountant and finance controller. It also means you can keep other career options open. We recognise courses with our ScreenSkills Select award where they offer training in the relevant software, dedicated time to building a portfolio and have strong links with the film and TV industries.
Become a trainee:
Get onto ScreenSkills’ Trainee Finder scheme. Get the skills, make contacts and start working in an accounts department. Other organisations such as Creative Access also take trainees.
Watch films:
Keep up your love of film and TV drama. Find out as much about the industry as you can.
Learn to drive:
It always helps when working in the film and TV industry.
Meet people in the industry:
Go to ScreenSkills’ events, follow your local film office and any local community arts and media organisations and attend their events. Go to how to network well for some tips. 
Network online:
Create a LinkedIn profile. Create a ScreenSkills profile. Check out what’s happening with Production Base.
Explore ScreenSkills Resources:
ScreenSkills careers information:
The your career hub has a wealth of resources designed to help you start or progress your career.
ScreenSkills e-learning:
ScreenSkills has a suite of free e-learning modules for those who are over 18 which can improve your knowledge. The ScreenSkills Passport modules also prepare you as they are essential for some production roles. Some modules are available for those under 18. For anyone wanting advice about first steps, the Getting into the screen industries  modules are very useful.  
ScreenSkills skills checklists:  
If you would like more detail about the tasks, responsibilities and skills required for many key roles in film and TV drama, children’s TV and unscripted TV you can look at our skills checklists. 
You might also be interested in…
Working in accounts in any other creative industry such as theatre, games or advertising. This is an area where there are skill shortages so you should be in demand.
