RSM Tenon Group PLC is the UK's 7th largest accountants and business advisers. In the highly complex world of film finances, RSM Tenon's media division has carried out financial management for a number of US, UK and European film making production companies, film license distributors and film financiers, working on blockbusters, Hollywood films and art house titles alike. We have worked on such films as The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Hell Boy 2, Mamma Mia, The Dark Knight, Love Actually, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Casino Royale, The Da Vinci Code, The Bourne Ultimatum, Hot Fuzz and The Golden Compass. We also act for individuals, advising clients both in front and behind the camera. RSM Tenon is regarded as one of the most progressive and entrepreneurial professional services firms in the UK today.
We act as tax advisers to a number of television production companies where we offer corporate and tax structuring advice along with advice on employment tax issues and tax planning opportunities.
RSM Tenon offers financial and accountancy advice to the film and television industry:
- Structuring advice for filmmakers on co-productions and Schedule 1 British qualifying films
- Helping maximise the UK Film Tax Credit available to British qualifying films
- Assistance with monitoring, compliance and liaison with The UK Film Council and HMRC
- Auditors and accountant’s reports, letters of comfort to financiers
- Valuation of film rights
- Helping maximise UK tax benefits on film royalties
- Distribution and film royalty audits
- Advice on alternative sources of funding, including equity, soft money and bank gap for film finances
- Assistance with government sponsored incentives such as EIS and its application to film
- Tax advice regarding corporate structures, both UK and overseas
- Guidance on tax and social security-efficient filming in the UK and overseas
- Advice on withholding tax for film performers in the UK and overseas
- VAT advice including assistance with registration company set-up and administration
- Statutory annual accounts, auditing and corporation tax return filing
Our lead advisory team, headed by Robert Kidson, has considerable experience in both the television production and broadcast sectors. Following the passing of the Communications Act and the empowerment of television production companies, Robert worked on a number of the takeovers and mergers involving independent television companies, including Lion Television Limited and The Media Merchants Television Company Limited.