payroll, assistant, stylist, finance manager

Karman Graham

Payroll & Production Accountant, Finance Manager

************@*****.*** • 310-***-****

LinkedIn • Charleston, SC www.IMDb.me/karmangraham Seasoned payroll accountant and production accounting professional with 30+ years in the motion picture industry. Proven track record in streamlining payroll operations, ensuring compliance with studio and union agreements, budget management, Accounts Payable and Receivable and Credit Card management. Recognized for bridging creative and financial operations as the liaison between the studio, production, cast & crew and unions.

Skillset:

• Deep understanding of production finance and phases: prep, shoot, wrap, post

• Tracking and reporting production incentives and tax credits

• Processing and tracking accounts payable (AP) and accounts receivable (AR)

• Managing purchase orders (POs) and matching to invoices as well as PCards

• Handling guild/union compliance (SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA, Teamsters)

• Interpreting and applying union collective bargaining agreements

• Calculate overtime, double-time, and holiday pay

• Process crew timecards accurately (manual & digital)

• Apply rest period violations and turnaround pay rules per contract

• GL coding and cost account categorization / Enter and audit timecards

• Petty cash (PC) tracking, reconciliation, and coding for cast and crew

• Review and verify start paperwork and rate sheets and authorize I-9’s

• Code payroll accurately to production chart of accounts and budget

• Understand rules for loan-out corporations vs. individual

• Diplomacy and effective communication in dealing with vendors

• Know W-2s vs. 1099s / Comply with federal and state labor laws

• Calculate employer-paid fringe benefits (health, pension, etc.)

• Track and pay meal penalties correctly per individual matching to the production report

• Track and report union audits for the producing studio compliance reviews

• Handle confidential data, talent contact information, etc with discretion and security

• Budgeting and cost tracking / Bank Reconciliations and cash flow forecasting Software & Technology Skills:

• Smart Accounting (Entertainment Partners entertainment industry payroll software)

• PSL (Cast and Crew entertainment industry payroll software)

• Movie Magic Budgeting

• DPO (Digital Purchase Orders)

• Use Excel/Google Sheets for tracking and reconciliation

• Scenechronize, Showbiz Budgeting

• Advanced Excel skills / Google Workspace / Dropbox, etc Professional Experience:

Entertainment Partners,

Staff Show Success Manager

New York, NY 2022-2024

• Oversaw production finance operations for multiple concurrent film and television projects, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compliance across accounting teams.

• Supported show-level production accountants and assistants by standardizing workflows, troubleshooting complex payroll and cost tracking issues as well as budgeting support.

• Acted as liaison between studio finance executives and on-the-ground accounting teams.

• Developed and implemented best practices to enhance staff performance, streamline onboarding, and ensure timely reporting and wrap deliverables while leading team.

• Managed hiring, placement, and development of freelance accounting personnel.

• Audited workflows across shows to improve efficiency, reduce discrepancies, and ensure union/guild compliance (IATSE, DGA, SAG-AFTRA, Teamsters).

• Facilitated smooth transitions between prep, shoot, and wrap, providing strategic oversight during periods of high volume and shifting production schedules. Payroll Accountant and Production Accountant

Los Angeles, CA and on location

June 2001- April 2015 and June 2018 – April 2025

● Facilitated studio required for IATSE, DGA, SAG and WGA payroll required practices.

● Oversaw and was responsible for payroll processes, which led to enhanced production efficiency and IATSE compliance, responsible for all studio and union audits. Netflix Production Finance Manager

Hollywood, CA April 2015-June 2018

• Supervise show-level accounting teams and act as studio liaison

• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to Netflix studio execs

• Evaluate and approve production accounting staffing plans

• Guide shows through Netflix-specific workflows, policies, and systems

• Provide strategic input during budget meetings and greenlight reviews

• Oversee and ensure compliance with Netflix production finance policies 20th Century Fox Finance Manager

Los Angeles, CA June 1998-2001

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Pay all outstanding vendor payments and oversee payroll.

• Exercise diplomacy, discretion, and judgment in sensitive situations.

• Oversee Music Licensing with studio music licensing department.

• International finance experience and management. ABC Touchstone TV Production Finance Assistant

Los Angeles, CA March 1995-June 1998

• Oversee proper documentation for payroll, vendors, and tax credit filings.

• Manage production insurance, payroll audits, and financial closeouts.

• Ensure compliance with labor laws, union rules, and corporate policies.

• Maintain production audit readiness and sign off on accuracy of payroll. Propaganda Films Production Finance Coordinator

Hollywood, CA Feb 1992 – March 1995

• Knowledge of union contracts and labor costs (SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, DGA, Teamsters.

• Experience with international and domestic productions.

• Familiarity with co-productions, above-the-line tracking, and studio finance structures. Understanding of budgeting and tax incentive financing models.

• Assisted David Fincher, Spike Jonze and other up and coming Directors Career Notes:

Production Coordinator, Graham King, Initial Entertainment Production Coordinator, Propaganda Films Assistant to A-list Talent, (on projects such as Nell, Now and Then, and other films) Studio Production Finance, ABC TV, 20th Century Fox Films, Netflix, Fuzzy Door. Costume Designer for The Golden Globes and other productions, Set Decoration Buyer for “Eastbound and Down” for HBO Set Decorator on multiple indie films. Temp to perm jobs in college include Paralegal Assistant, Finance car leasing at Graham Motor Company, Job Placement Counselor at Carolina Temp Agency, owner of my own business in Malibu, CA KarmaEssentials, a custom design company catering to A list actors wardrobe for special events and award ceremonies

● Coordinated procurement of decors as well as talent wardrobe, securing best deals to enhance production value and getting actor, producer and studio approval.

● Ensured comprehensive organization of set materials for efficient project execution.

● Collaborated closely with the Director to transform each scene's vision or the actors’ wardrobes into a fully realized sets and scenes ensuring alignment with creative direction and production goals.

● Coordinate and communicate between production company, Director and production. Film & TV Projects of Note:

Grace and Frankie, Insecure, Prison Break, The Day After Tomorrow / Dear John / The Game, Fight Club / Eastbound and Down / The Ellen DeGeneres Show / Bupkis / IF / The Blacklist / Acting credits on projects such as And Just Like That / Curb Your Enthusiasm / Monsters: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story / Dead To Me / Father Stu / Nash Bridges / Chicago Hope / Sisters Education & Credentials:

BS, Psychology, Minor in Communication, Roanoke College & Elizabethtown College Professional Training in Dramatic Arts, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, LA, CA Screenwriting & Creative Writing Coursework, UCLA Extension, Screen Writing Course Performance Training, The Groundlings / Sundance Film Lab with Robert Redford Photography Certification, New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) Additional Academic Studies, State University of New York, Purchase Proficiencies:

Motion Picture Industry Affiliations in Payroll: SAG, DGA, WGA, IATSE & Teamsters Creative Tools: Photographer, Editor, Final Draft, Movie Magic, Adobe Lightstream Production Accounting Software: Smart Accounting, PSL, Media Services, Quickbooks Office & Productivity Tools: Excel, Word, Outlook, Google docs and calendar, Teams References available upon request!

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