FINANCIAL EXPERTS
Numbers Simplified, Success Amplified.
Your ideal financial partner.
Business Advisory
We provide 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
Our accountants help you navigate complicated scenarios and maximise your business structure for enhanced profitability and protect your assets.
Virtual CFO
We become your business’ CFO, providing cash flow forecasting, KPI tracking, strategic financial decision-making, budgeting and performance tracking and more.
why choose count out loud?
Committed to offering bespoke accounting services, Count Out Loud specialises in delivering personalised financial solutions. Recognising the unique demands of industries like Film & TV, Retail & E-Commerce, Professional Services, Business and more – Count Out Loud was purpose-built to address their distinct needs and obligations.
With a proud decade-long tenure as a Xero Platinum Champion Partner, Count Out Loud aids your business in structuring and expanding your operations efficiently. Whether guiding you through upcoming projects, facilitating asset acquisition, evaluating potential investments, or optimising cash flow, we are the go-to financial advisors for industry professionals.
ARE YOU READY TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
Whether you are just starting up, or already established, we can help!
Let’s start with a complimentary discussion.
Sydney’s Specialist Accountants for Film, TV & Creative Industries
Count Out Loud is a boutique accounting firm based at 1 James Place, North Sydney NSW 2060, founded by Carmel, a Chartered Accountant and CPA with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment and creative sectors. With a dedicated team of 9 professionals, Count Out Loud has managed production budgets exceeding $50 million and helped clients claim over $4 million in Producer Offset payments through Screen Australia. As a Xero Platinum Champion Partner since 2016, the firm delivers production-specific cloud accounting solutions tailored to the unique financial demands of the Australian film, television, media, and creative industries. For enquiries, call (02) 9043 1525.
Accounting Services for Entertainment & Creative Sectors
Count Out Loud provides a full suite of accounting and advisory services designed for production companies, creative freelancers, and entertainment businesses across Australia.
Production Accounting
Our production accountants work on set and remotely to manage day-to-day financial operations during pre-production, principal photography, and post-production. We handle cost reports, purchase orders, petty cash, payroll integration, and budget tracking.
Producer Offset Claims
The Producer Offset is a refundable tax offset worth 30% (for feature films) or 20% (for other eligible formats) of qualifying Australian production expenditure. We prepare and lodge applications with Screen Australia, ensuring accurate QAPE tracking from day one.
Business Advisory
We work alongside production companies and creative businesses to develop financial strategies that support growth, from structuring new ventures to planning for seasonal cash flow fluctuations common in project-based industries.
Tax Compliance & Structuring
Our team handles all tax compliance obligations including income tax returns, BAS lodgements, FBT, and payroll tax. We also advise on entity structuring to best suit your situation and protect your assets.
Virtual CFO
For businesses that need senior financial oversight without a full-time hire, our Virtual CFO service provides cash flow forecasting, KPI tracking, budgeting, and strategic financial guidance as an extension of your team.
Creative Freelancer Accounting
Actors, directors, writers, editors, and other screen industry freelancers have unique tax situations. We help manage irregular income, claim industry-specific deductions, and handle ABN and GST registration.
Why Choose Count Out Loud
Choosing the right accountant for your production or creative business is not just about numbers. It is about working with a team that understands your industry from the inside.
- Accountants who have been on more sets than most PAs – Our team has hands-on experience working within film and television productions, not just reviewing the books after the fact.
- Xero Platinum Champion Partner – Fewer than 1% of Xero partners in Australia reach Platinum Champion status, reflecting our deep expertise in cloud accounting.
- CA and CPA qualified team – Our professionals hold Chartered Accountant and Certified Practising Accountant qualifications, ensuring the highest standard of financial advice.
- Production-specific Xero setups with QAPE tracking – We configure Xero for production accounting workflows, including chart of accounts aligned to production budgets and real-time QAPE tracking.
- Industry specialists, not generalists – Our focus on film, TV, media, and creative industries means we understand the specific regulations, funding structures, and financial challenges you face.
Count Out Loud by the Numbers
Production budgets managed
Producer Offset payments claimed
Years of industry experience
Specialist team members
Xero Platinum Champion Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a production accountant do?
A production accountant manages the financial operations of a film or television production from pre-production through to final delivery. This includes preparing cost reports, processing purchase orders, managing petty cash, reconciling accounts, and tracking expenditure against the approved budget. Production accountants also ensure that all financial records meet the requirements for Producer Offset applications and other government incentive claims.
How much does the Producer Offset pay?
The Producer Offset is a refundable tax offset administered by Screen Australia. For feature films, it provides 30% of qualifying Australian production expenditure (QAPE). For other eligible formats, including television series, documentaries, and online content, the offset is 20% of QAPE. The offset is claimed through your company’s income tax return after receiving a certificate from Screen Australia.
Do I need a company to claim the Producer Offset?
Yes. To be eligible for the Producer Offset, the applicant must be an Australian resident company. Sole traders, partnerships, and trusts are not eligible. If you do not yet have a production company set up, Count Out Loud can advise on the appropriate entity structure and handle the registration process for you.
What is QAPE?
QAPE stands for Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure. It refers to the portion of a production’s budget spent on goods and services provided in Australia, or on the use of goods located in Australia. Accurate QAPE tracking is essential for maximising your Producer Offset claim. Count Out Loud builds QAPE tracking directly into your production’s Xero accounting setup so you can monitor qualifying expenditure in real time.
Ready to Talk Numbers?
Whether you are planning a new production, lodging a Producer Offset claim, or looking for an accountant who actually understands the screen industry, we are here to help.
Call us on (02) 9043 1525 or get in touch online to book a complimentary consultation.