117 - Money and the Writer with Trina Rozen, CPA

Just in time for tax season! This week is Money Talk for writers of all kinds, as host Gray Jones interviews Trina Rozen, CPA, founder of Writers' Room CPA.

TRINA ROZEN, CPA BIOGRAPHY:

Trina Rozen, CPA, has more than 15 years of executive accounting experience in the entertainment industry.  She was first the manager of the accounting team at Cast and Crew Payroll. She then ran an accounting department at CBS Studios.

Along the way, she noticed the costly mistakes that writers were making, mostly because they weren’t comfortable with money. This year she founded Writers’ Room CPA to help alleviate the issues that arise from letting monthly payments slip, or not saving for taxes. She has created a framework for writers that begins at home—a series of savings actions coupled with income-generating decisions that can help you become financially solvent. There is nothing better than going to sleep at night worried only about your character’s motivations, and not how you will meet a big tax bill!

 

INDEX TO THE EPISODE:

0:56 - Podcast primary sponsor, scriptanatomy.com.
2:29 - Interview start, introduction.
3:11 - Trina’s origins as an entertainment accountant.
4:29 - Mistakes writers make in their finances.
5:53 - When should you incorporate? Why would you not want to incorporate yet.
9:08 - What is an S Corporation and what makes it different?
9:49 - What about liability issues?
10:46 - If someone wants to incorporate, does it have to be done before April 15?
11:20 - What is involved in incorporating?
12:31 - Sponsor break - Visit avgearguy.com and drivingfootage.com
13:41 - What does Writers’ Room CPA bring to the table?
15:21 - Considerations with working from home, especially during Covid.
17:54 - What tools does Trina offer when she brings on new clients?
19:00 - What are the easiest, most time-saving deductions writers can take right now?
21:02 - What easy steps can bring financial peace of mind?
24:00 - Financial planning and investing. 
27:10 - Success stories. 
29:21 - Last thoughts — how can writers find out more?

Follow Writers' Room CPA on Twitter: @writersroomcpa

Visit Writers' Room CPA on the web: writersroomcpa.com

Visit primary sponsor Script Anatomy on the web: scriptanatomy.com

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Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,200 TV writers. Find previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com.