Production & Management Accountant

ITN is one of the UK’s leading independent content production companies, trusted for over 70 years to tell the world’s most important stories. From BAFTA- and Emmy-winning journalism and impactful factual content to creative entertainment and branded storytelling, ITN brings truth and innovation to every platform. Making over 70 hours of live programmes a week and reaching 1 billion digital views a month, we are a content powerhouse that has an ambition to keep growing, with audiences across the UK and around the world.

Our people are at the heart of our success. With a reputation built on integrity and creativity, ITN continues to evolve with an ambitious growth strategy — investing in new technology, premium content, and future talent. We’re proud to foster an inclusive, collaborative culture where everyone can thrive and help shape the next chapter of ITN’s story.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer where everyone’s contribution matters. We’re committed to building a culture that reflects the audiences we serve — one where people feel included, supported, and inspired to do their best work.

How We Work

At ITN, how we work is as important as what we do. Our values describe what you can expect when you work here — and what ITN expects of you.

• Ambition – We set bold goals, take ownership, and keep learning. We look for new opportunities and better ways to make an impact.
• Courage – We speak up with honesty and respect, challenge ideas constructively, and value open, direct communication.
• Team – We collaborate, celebrate others’ successes, and make sure every voice is heard. We put the team’s success first.

We also recognise the importance of balance and wellbeing, so we welcome flexible working, part-time roles and job shares across all areas of ITN.

The Role

The main function of this role is to provide production finance and management accounting support for ITNP and ITN Post Production, focusing on the reporting and analysis of production spend. The role also involves providing financial reporting support and analysis to the Finance Manager of ITNP and Post Production. A key output will be maintaining up to date and accurate information in cost managers and regular variance reports for the business to manage their production budgets and make timely decisions on spend. Working closely and managing relationships with the business is key to this role, aiding cost capture and accurate reporting as well as a real understanding of all production-related costs. This is a responsive role with fast-changing priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Production Finance and Production Support

• Set up productions on the finance system and assist Production Managers in compiling and analysing production costs using cost managers; providing support to the Head of Production, Production Manager and coordinators, to ensure accurate cost management.
• Keep ITNP cost managers updated with actual spend, estimated final costs, and costs to complete.
• Reconcile cost managers to the finance system fortnightly with the finance assistant/AMA, making adjustments and corrections where required.
• Hold regular meetings with production managers to ensure accurate and timely financial control of all production costs.
• Manage open POs on productions, updating costs estimates regularly and being across reasons for delays to facilitate effective cost and margin management.
• Review cost reports on a regular basis with the Head of Production (HoP), including current spend and projected costs.
• Manage the close down of productions, performing periodic full financial closure of completed productions with PM/HoP, manage/execute close down on the system.
• Upload production contracts to the finance system on a timely basis and ensure proof of deliveries for productions are recognised each month.
• Reconcile actual production spend to budgets/forecasts. Compile and agree (with PMs/HoP) monthly figures for submission to the ITNP Finance Manager, managing this in line with the ITN finance timetable.
• Work with the Finance Manager to monitor and improve individual Production cash flow by establishing effective processes.
• As routine, obtain information to understand the timing of production cash flows and produce these as required and as will be introduced to the business.
• Actively assist the Credit Control Manager and HoP on all aspects of billing, including liaising with clients to obtain Pos to efficiently manage Production cash flows.
• Update the Finance Manager/FC where production delivery changes occur.
• Alert the Finance Manager/FC of any potential risks or concerns on productions.
• Prepare trial balance and cost reports for broadcasters.
• Act as the key point of contact with PMs in their running of cost managers on the finance system, ensuring adherence to finance processes.
• Attend regular production meetings within ITNP to ensure understanding of activity and proactively aid cost capture and management.

• Management of secondary income accounting: updating the finance system with milestones and all secondaries billing, assist in the preparation of royalty statements and saving down secondary statements, chasing distributors for Pos and invoices.
• Preparation of all recharges journals for productions and other journals as required by PMs.
• Work with the ITNP Finance Team, HoP and Head of Post Production to review, improve, monitor and account for post production spend across the productions. Reporting variances to production budget.
• Prepare P&L and Balance Sheet accounting entries including accruals and prepayments.
• Perform monthly balance sheet reconciliations at production or divisional level as directed.
• Code cross-production invoices including Reed & McKay and Green Tomato Cars.
• Understand production budget/forecast variances and contribute to the commentary in the management accounts, flagging any risks or concerns.
• Implement the use of purchase orders across ITNP and Post production.
• Assist Production and Finance Teams with invoice/PO coding, cash advances/transfers, and ensure HoP and PM credit cards/advances are reconciled regularly and submitted on a timely basis, moving from a minimum of quarterly to bi-monthly.

• Prepare required production information and reports for year-end and yearly (and mid-year) audits and client/broadcaster audits in line with given deadlines.
• Ensure documentation on productions is kept in line with broadcaster and customer contractual requirements and expectations.

• Be the initial point of contact for all financial matters for productions, liaising with the Finance Manager/FC where required.
• Meet with new production team members to ensure they are fully aware of company financial procedures and adhere to them throughout the production period.
• Build and maintain a strong relationship with HoP and PMs.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc production and financial reports for senior leadership as directed.
• Assist with the preparation of production and divisional ITNCP budgets and forecasts.
• Be proactively involved in the continuous design and adaptation of the ERP Finance systems particularly the production accounting system, including managing the roll out and training of production staff as part of implementing the production finance system and new production finance processes. Run standalone sessions where required.
• Aid in the successful rollout of the system - ensure it is fit for purpose for the ITNP business.
• Support Albert Sustainability data collection as required.
• Record and keep up to date detailed process notes for month end processes and other routine tasks.
• Be a team player, offering support to the production and wider Finance team.

These are the main requirements of the role and is not an exhaustive list of duties. It is intended to reflect the nature, range, and context of the work, which will change over time.

Key Requirements

• A professional accounting qualification recognized in the UK ACA, ACCA, CIMA or fully qualified by proven management accounting experience.
• Finalists will also be considered for this role, however the title will be amended appropriately to reflect this.
• A genuine interest in and good understanding of television production and post production logistics and production technology.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment.
• An ability to work calmly under pressure and turn their skills and talents to assignments and tasks as directed by the Finance Manager and Financial Controller.
• Flexible worker with a positive approach to problem-solving.
• Strong Excel and IT skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good organizational skills with the ability to multi-task while retaining attention to detail.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to deal with a broad range of people including both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize workload, operate under own initiative, and work to deadlines.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do at ITN. It’s vital that our workforce reflects the diversity of both our audience and the wider society in the UK, so we actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities. Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process will be offered, if required, due to a disability or health condition. We also recognise the importance of a good work life balance, so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working, including part-time and job shares for all our roles. Please just let us know in your application, or at any stage throughout the process, if this is something you want to explore.