The Independent Filmmaker/Producer/Investor must have good Accounting Advice. Without the advice to keep the paperwork in order the Independent Filmmaker/Producer/Investor’s Project may not get Exhibition. Without exhibition there will be no revenue.
Accountants have a fiduciary duty to their clients. This means the Accountant should be putting the client’s interests first, ahead of what is convenient or profitable for the Accountant.
Before retaining an Accountant, you should carefully review the Retainer Agreement. The rate a Accountant charges is often negotiable and many Accountants charge a lesser rate to low-budget independent filmmakers. Communication can be by email.
This Agreement is drafted in plain English that is easy to read and comprehend. This is a four page, eighteen clause legal Agreement. The Agreement may be filled in on your computer or printed out and filled in later.
This Agreement is part of the Producer’s Deal, and the Investor’s Deal.
$99.00
Client Name: __________________________________________________
(Print Names)
Accountant Name: ______________________________________________
Accounting Firm: _______________________________________________
Project Name: _________________________________________________
Project Genre: _________________________________________________
(film, music video, stage production, game show, etc)
Herein this Agreement the independent Filmmaker is called the “Producer”.
This Accountant-Client Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between the above named and undersigned, “Client”, and above named and undersigned “Accountant”.
1. This Agreement will not take effect, and the Accountant will have no obligation to provide Accounting services, until the Client returns a signed copy of this Agreement and pays the deposit called for under Clause 5 below.
2. The Client hires the Accountant to provide accounting services in connection with the above named Project. The Accountant shall provide those accounting services reasonably required to represent the Client, including filing any and all government required returns, and the Accountant shall take reasonable steps to keep the Client informed of progress in any and all work and to respond to Client’s inquiries.
4. The Client shall be truthful with the Accountant, cooperate with the Accountant, keep the Accountant informed of developments, abide by this Agreement, pay the Accountant’s bills on time and keep the Accountant advised of the Client’s address, phone/cell number, email and whereabouts.
5. The Client will place on deposit ________________________(amount) by ______________________, 20 ____. This deposit sum will be held in the Firm’s Trust Account, to be used to pay costs and expenses and fees for accounting services. The Client hereby authorizes the Accountant to withdraw sums from the Trust Account to pay the costs and/or fees the Client incurs. Any unused deposit at the conclusion of Accountant’s services will be refunded . . . (continued)
