Strength Behind the Spotlight.
Creative businesses deserve financial strength.
Business Advisory
A tailored approach, working alongside you and your business to develop, monitor and enact strategies to achieve your goals and grow your business to its potential.
Compliance & Structuring
Expert guidance to navigate complicated scenarios and maximise your business structure for enhanced profitability and protect your assets.
Virtual CFO
Your dedicated CFO partner, providing cash flow forecasting, KPI tracking, strategic financial decision-making, budgeting and performance tracking and more.
why choose count out loud?
Count Out Loud was started because creative businesses were being underestimated by their advisors. Film and television productions, content creators, digital media companies, and creative freelancers deserve the same commercial rigour and strategic financial guidance as any other industry.
As a Xero Platinum Champion Partner for over a decade, Count Out Loud provides tax advisory, business structuring, and financial strategy built around how creative industries actually work – project-based revenue, seasonal cash flow, government offsets, and IP-driven income.
READY TO TALK?
Whether you are launching a new production, growing a creative business, or need specialist tax advice, Count Out Loud is here.
Let’s start with a complimentary discussion.
Sydney’s Specialist Accountants for Creative Industries
Count Out Loud is a boutique accounting and tax advisory firm based at 1 James Place, North Sydney NSW 2060, founded by Carmel Creswell, a Chartered Accountant and CPA with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment and creative sectors. Count Out Loud provides tax advisory, business structuring, and Producer Offset guidance for production companies, content creators, and creative businesses across Australia. As a Xero Platinum Champion Partner since 2016, the firm delivers cloud accounting solutions tailored to the unique financial demands of the Australian film, television, media, and creative industries. For enquiries, call (02) 9043 1525.
Tax Advisory & Accounting for Creative Industries
Count Out Loud provides specialist tax advisory, compliance, and business structuring services for production companies, content creators, creative freelancers, and entertainment businesses across Australia.
Production Tax Advisory
Specialist tax advisory for film, TV, and documentary productions – QAPE compliance, Producer Offset claims, cost report review, and financial structuring from pre-production through final audit.
Producer Offset Claims
The Producer Offset is a refundable tax offset worth 40% (for feature films with theatrical release) or 30% (for other eligible formats) of qualifying Australian production expenditure. Count Out Loud advises on QAPE tracking and offset claims, supporting productions from day one through to final certificate. See the step-by-step guide to claiming the Screen Producer Offset.
Business Advisory
Strategic financial guidance for production companies and creative businesses – from structuring new ventures to managing seasonal cash flow fluctuations common in project-based industries.
Tax Compliance & Structuring
Full tax compliance including income tax returns, BAS lodgements, FBT, and payroll tax. Count Out Loud also advises on entity structuring to protect your assets and suit your situation.
Virtual CFO
For businesses that need senior financial oversight without a full-time hire, the Virtual CFO service provides cash flow forecasting, KPI tracking, budgeting, and strategic financial guidance.
Creative Freelancer Accounting
Actors, directors, writers, editors, and other screen industry freelancers have unique tax situations. Count Out Loud helps manage irregular income, claim industry-specific deductions, and handle ABN and GST registration.
Content Creator & Influencer Accounting
YouTubers, TikTokers, podcasters, streamers, and digital creators have complex multi-platform income, PSI considerations, and ATO data-matching obligations. Tax compliance, business structuring, and deductions for creators across Australia.
Why Choose Count Out Loud
The right advisor for a creative business understands more than numbers. They understand how creative industries generate revenue, manage risk, and build long-term value.
- Creative industry specialists since 2012 – Count Out Loud was built specifically for film, TV, media, content creators, and creative businesses. This is not a sideline – it is the entire focus of the practice.
- Xero Platinum Champion Partner – Fewer than 1% of Xero partners in Australia reach Platinum Champion status, reflecting deep expertise in cloud accounting and financial systems.
- CA and CPA qualified team – Chartered Accountant and Certified Practising Accountant qualifications ensure the highest standard of tax and advisory work.
- Producer Offset and government incentive expertise – Specialist knowledge of QAPE tracking, offset claims, and the financial structures that support Australian screen productions.
- Tax advisory, not just compliance – Beyond lodging returns, Count Out Loud provides strategic advice on structuring, asset protection, and financial planning for creative businesses at every stage.
Count Out Loud at a Glance
Serving creative industries
Years of industry experience
Xero Platinum Champion Partner
Award-winning firm
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of creative businesses does Count Out Loud work with?
Count Out Loud works with film and television production companies, content creators and influencers, documentary producers, creative freelancers (actors, directors, writers, editors), music industry professionals, and digital media businesses. The common thread is creative businesses that need an advisor who understands project-based revenue, IP-driven income, and the specific tax obligations of creative work.
How much does the Producer Offset pay?
The Producer Offset is a refundable tax offset administered by Screen Australia. For feature films with a theatrical release, it provides 40% of qualifying Australian production expenditure (QAPE). For other eligible formats, including television series, documentaries, and online content, the offset is 30% of QAPE. The offset is claimed through your company’s income tax return after receiving a final certificate from Screen Australia.
Do I need a company to claim the Producer Offset?
Yes. The applicant must be an Australian resident company. Sole traders, partnerships, and trusts are not eligible. Count Out Loud can advise on the appropriate entity structure and handle the SPV setup process.
What tax deductions can content creators claim?
Content creators can claim deductions for equipment (cameras, lighting, audio), software subscriptions, home office expenses, travel for content creation, internet and phone costs, and professional development. The key is maintaining proper records and understanding ATO rules around personal services income (PSI) and hobby versus business distinctions. Count Out Loud advises creators on structuring their business to maximise legitimate deductions.
What is QAPE?
QAPE stands for Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure – the portion of a production’s budget spent on goods and services provided in Australia. Accurate QAPE tracking is essential for maximising Producer Offset claims. Count Out Loud advises production companies on QAPE classification and builds tracking directly into Xero accounting setups.
Ready to Talk Numbers?
Whether you are a production company, content creator, or creative business looking for an accountant who understands your industry, Count Out Loud is here to help.
Call us on (02) 9043 1525 or get in touch online to book a complimentary consultation.