When I first set foot on the Oshawa Campus of Durham College, I felt elated by the myriad opportunities awaiting me within the Faculty of Business and Information Technology (BIT). However, as a student aspiring to build a career in the film and television industry, specifically in production accounting, I found a significant gap in the curriculum offered.

Currently, Durham College provides a robust lineup of programs within BIT, focusing on financial accounting, business analytics, and more. While these form a solid educational foundation, they do not cater to the dynamic world of production accounting — a field essential in managing budgets, ensuring compliance, and maintaining financial control within media production. Not having this specialization leaves students ill-prepared for industry-specific challenges.

Production accounting plays a crucial role in film and television, facilitating the smooth flow of productions by managing costs effectively. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in media and entertainment occupations is projected to grow by 7% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations, highlighting the increasing demand for skilled professionals in this field. Similarly, in Canada, the film and television industry contributed nearly $9.3 billion to the national GDP in 2019, as per Statistics Canada — emphasizing the need for specialized education in this rapidly growing sector.

Introducing a production accounting program would not only fulfil an academic void, but also align with Durham College’s mission to provide career-focused, practical learning experiences. Such a program would incorporate training in industry-standard software, budget management techniques, and financial compliance regulations specific to media production. Moreover, partnering with local studios and media companies for internships could create invaluable real-world experiences for students, bridging classroom knowledge with industry application.

This initiative will not only attract more students interested in this niche field but also enhance Durham College's reputation as a forward-thinking institution catering to diverse, high-demand career paths. I urge the college administration and the Faculty of Business and Information Technology to seriously consider and implement a production accounting program.

Signing this petition is a step to pave the way for future students of Durham College to step confidently into the burgeoning world of media and entertainment. Please support us in bringing this pivotal change to our academic offerings. Sign the petition to make this vision a reality for Durham College students.

I've got something I'd like to say regarding the "School of Business"
(well not technically something magical and full of wonder, but still)...
 
 
It is the most fabulous, incredible, and amazing experience, atmosphere, and opportunity to/of one's hope, joy, and inspiration.
 
Driven by the imagination, led by the dedication, and inspired by the innovation...
 
This would be considered ideal to captivate and stimulate the young minds for a pleasurable experience in learning and growing a little more each day, relating to other people (as well as themselves) in healthy ways, and wanting them to know more about how the business works.
 
They're often supported and encouraged to never give up and keep pursing their thorough and comprehensive goals/plans until they succeed, which puts them on the fast track to success.
 
In addition, it serves as a gentle guiding hand and a calm comforting presence; so therefore, it's all about understanding, honoring, and preserving different ways of knowing, teaching, and learning.
 
 
Programs Included:
office admin, data entry, human resources, project management, product development, investing real estate, sales and marketing, etc.
 
Office Skills: proficient typing, filing documents, organizing files, editing documents, reviewing documents, updating calendars, answering the phone, taking messages, researching information, keeping organized desk, basic math, scheduling

 
Learning Outcomes:
inputting ideas, analyzing and prioritizing news, creating business plans, negotiating contracts, pitching and selling, marketing and promoting, following cues, and crunching numbers
 
Other Requirements:
strong communication skills, the ability to work well independently and on a team, management skills, problem-solving abilities, knowing how to prioritize work and meet deadlines, has social skills and some ideas for where to begin scouting for props, can be useful and efficient when under pressure, a flexible attitude, self-confidence, solid knowledge of the company and its players, a decent sense of humor can help, and having a thick skin is also useful.
 
 
Also, the other thing I want(ed) to tell you is simply that...  wouldn't it be cool if the School of Business had a new (upcoming) program named/called/titled "Production Accounting"?
 
This micro-credential course will give students practical experience with compiling key accounting documents and reports that are specific for the industry. As mid-career professionals in the industry, students will adapt their skills to work in the production accounting department, or for mid-career bookkeeping or accounting professionals in other industries to adapt their skills for the industry. Rooted in core accounting principles as required by the Canadian Revenue Agency, students will utilize the skills for coordinating payroll, preparing cost reports and petty cash reports, and compiling materials for tax credit filings and audit. In this course, students will have intensive practical experience through a combination of analysis of readings followed by hands on preparing of accounting materials as expected in the production accounting department.
 
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to basic accounting practices with a distinct focus on what is required and what is standard practice in the industry. Students will be able to understand and interpret a basic balance sheet, profit and loss, and trial balance and become introduced to the standard charts of account used by government agencies, production companies, and other industry bodies. At the completion of this module, a student should have the skills necessary to set up and keep an accurate, up to date set of books for a single purpose production company. Using industry standard accounting software, students will learn how to do the day-today entries necessary to track a production as well as generating basic reports.
 
 
If you have like any plans, ideas, and strategies in regards to this new program for that matter...
Please confirm and let me you what do you think of me and how the others will take the news ;)