CPAs and Firms Specializing in Media and Entertainment Education and Training

How to get the education you need to work for media CPAs

Accounting firms for entertainment companies expect their CPAs to have two types of education or experience: an accounting degree and experience with the entertainment industry. If you have one but not the other, you can easily become more qualified to work with media industry CPAs with an undergraduate degree program.

If you are a CPA working as an entrepreneur, you may be able to provide accounting services for entertainment companies by simply updating your accounting knowledge using entertainment industry accounting software. While CPA firms for media companies typically have high educational and experience standards, if you are running your own firm you may be able to gain your entertainment industry education less formally.

Begin your CPAs and firms specializing in media and entertainment education and training with the following resources:

1. Earn an undergraduate degree in accounting to become a CPA.
   
2. Expand your experience in entertainment accounting with a degree in entertainment business.
3. Update your entertainment accounting knowledge with financial software programs.
   

 

Prepare for work with media industry CPAs with an accounting degree

Most media industry CPAs require job applicants to have a four-year degree in accounting, although some will allow two-year degree credentials. Look for a degree program that includes certification preparation and has a high pass rate among graduates.
Try: The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Arizona both offer a four-year accounting sequence for undergraduates, including those preparing to become media CPAs. Globe University has a management accounting associate's degree for a shorter degree time frame.

Get entertainment business experience for working in entertainment accounting

Another option for working with accounting firms for entertainment companies is to obtain a degree in the music or film production business. Entertainment business degrees typically offer a range of courses covering different aspects of the music or film business, including production, marketing, advertising, finance and accounting.
Try: Full Sail University is one of only a few schools nationwide that offers a bachelor of music business degree. You can also prepare for work with media CPAs with a similar associate's degree from the Institute of Production and Recording.

Use software to train yourself to provide accounting services for entertainment companies

If you are an experienced accountant , you may be able to become a CPA for media companies without going through several years of additional formal education. A number of software programs are available to help media CPAs and other business professionals manage the various financial aspects of the entertainment industry.
Try: Media Services Showbiz Music Contracts software is designed to help navigate music business accounting. Softrax revenue manager software programs are also useful for sports, arts and entertainment accounting.

 

• When preparing for work with CPAs and firms specializing in media and entertainment, education and training may also include an internship with a media company. Many firms expect their applicants to have at least 6 months of internship experience of some type, preferably in entertainment. Even if an internship is unpaid, the education and training is highly valuable.

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