ABS Payroll and Accounting
ABS Payroll and Accounting provides employer-of-record payroll, production accounting, residuals processing, and insurance services to independent entertainment productions across the US, Canada, and Latin America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersBurbank, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ABS Payroll and Accounting does
ABS Payroll and Accounting is a Burbank, California-based provider of payroll and production accounting services focused exclusively on the entertainment industry. Founded in 1985 by Kevin King and acquired in 2017 by BondIt Media Capital and Buffalo 8 Productions (Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor), ABS operates as part of a corporate family under Vensure Employer Services and positions itself as "The Independent Filmmaker's Choice®." The company serves independent filmmakers, low-budget productions, SAG-AFTRA signatory productions, live entertainment (theater, concerts, theme parks, cruise ships), and production companies requiring ongoing staff payroll. Core capabilities include employer-of-record cast and crew payroll, federal and state tax withholding across all 50 US states, multi-union compliance (SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE, Teamsters), workers' compensation, pension and health contributions, residuals processing, production accounting, and entertainment-specific insurance brokerage.
The company's product portfolio centers on three interconnected offerings: (1) Cast & Crew Payroll Services — the foundational employer-of-record service processing 11,000+ W-2s and 560 1099s annually; (2) PMTS (Payroll Management Tracking System), launched in 2021 as a proprietary all-in-one digital onboarding, scheduling, time-tracking, and payroll submission application supporting up to 50k+ users with 10GB document storage and 2-factor authentication; and (3) ATLAS, a web-based production accounting platform with real-time cost reporting, hot costs, multi-budget support, and payroll integration. Supplemental services include Residuals Processing, Insured Solutions (insurance brokerage), and Signatory Services for union compliance. The technology stack is hosted on cloud infrastructure integrated with the parent Vensure Employer Services HCM platform.
ABS operates seven offices (Burbank HQ, New York, Atlanta/Duluth, Baton Rouge, Albuquerque, Vancouver) and processes payroll in all 50 US states, Canadian provinces, and Latin American countries. The business model is primarily professional-services based, with project-based pricing across the $250k-$15M production budget range, supplemented by managed insurance and recurring software subscription elements (ATLAS). Customer acquisition is conducted via direct enterprise sales (phone, quote forms) and industry reputation/referrals; the company does not disclose pricing publicly. Operational scale includes 700+ annual production setups and 6,500+ annual union pension and health reports.
ABS Payroll and Accounting firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ABS Payroll and Accounting
- Legal name
- ABS Payroll Services
- Website
- https://abspayroll.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ABS Payroll and Accounting provides employer-of-record payroll, production accounting, residuals processing, and insurance services to independent entertainment productions across the US, Canada, and Latin America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ABS Payroll and Accounting industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Entertainment Payroll Services
- NAICS
- Payroll Services (541214), Professional Employer Organizations (561330), Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (54121)
- SIC
- Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Crew & Labor Services (Production Staff, Unions, Payroll) (MPADAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Payroll Software & Payroll-as-a-Service (SaaS) (BPACAIAB), Employer Payroll Processing (SMB & Enterprise) (FSAMAKAA), Workforce Benefits Administration (Enrollment & Deductions) (BPACAIAF), Expense Reimbursement & Employee Payments Administration (BPAAAHAK)
Keywords
Where ABS Payroll and Accounting is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burbank
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
ABS Payroll and Accounting business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Entertainment Payroll Processing Services: Employer-of-record payroll services for entertainment productions. Handles cast and crew payroll, tax withholdings, workers' compensation insurance, union compliance, and year-end W-2/1099 processing. Revenue generated through payroll processing fees based on project size and complexity.
- Production Accounting Services: Production accounting software and services including cost reporting, budget tracking, bank reconciliation, and tax incentive reporting. Integrated with payroll services.
- Insurance Services: Insurance services through Insured Solutions division including foreign insurance, equipment insurance, EPLI, general liability, workers' compensation, third-party property damage, hired & non-owned auto, professional liability, cyber liability, cast coverage, and excess/umbrella coverage.
- Residuals Processing: Residuals payroll processing for all reuse markets including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, and IATSE residuals calculations based on sales/distribution revenue and union CBAs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Project-based pricing for entertainment payroll services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
ABS Payroll and Accounting product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ABS Payroll and Accounting provides employer-of-record payroll services and production accounting software specifically for entertainment industry productions. The company handles cast and crew payroll processing, multi-state tax withholding, workers' compensation, union compliance (SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE), residuals, and year-end reporting, complemented by its proprietary PMTS platform and ATLAS production accounting software.
Product overview
ABS Payroll and Accounting operates a multi-product platform serving the entertainment industry, combining employer-of-record payroll services with proprietary software tools. The core portfolio centers on three interconnected products: (1) Cast & Crew Payroll Services — the foundational employer-of-record payroll offering handling tax withholding, workers compensation, union compliance, and year-end reporting across all U.S. states; (2) PMTS (Payroll Management Tracking System) — a proprietary digital platform launched in 2021 providing all-in-one digital onboarding, scheduling, timecard tracking, and payroll submission via web and mobile app; and (3) Production Accounting Software (ATLAS) — a web-based production accounting tool offering real-time cost reporting, hot costs, multi-budget management, and payroll integration. Supplemental modules include Residuals Processing for union reuse market payments, Insured Solutions for production insurance, and Signatory Services for union agreements. The company is affiliated with BondIt Media Capital (financing) and Buffalo 8 Productions (development/production/post-production), all operating under the Vensure Employer Services corporate umbrella.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PMTS (Payroll Management Tracking System): All-in-one digital on-boarding, scheduling and payroll tracking submission application for entertainment productions
- ATLAS Production Accounting Software
- Insured Solutions
Products and services
- Cast & Crew Payroll Services Employer-of-record payroll services for cast and crew, including ATL and BTL paycheck processing, workers compensation insurance, federal and state tax withholding, pension and health contributions, and W-2 and 1099 form issuance across all 50 U.S. states. Serves independent filmmakers, production companies, and studios.
- PMTS (Payroll Management Tracking System) Proprietary digital platform for all-in-one entertainment payroll, enabling digital employee onboarding via email invitation, W4/I-9 auto-generation, time tracking via mobile app, job scheduling, real-time budget vs actual cost comparison, e-signature document management with 10GB storage, 2-factor authentication, and payroll submission.
- Production Accounting Software (ATLAS) Web-based production accounting software providing real-time cost reporting, hot costs, multiple budgets per project, streamlined payroll integration, fast data import/export, detailed reporting functions, and live tech support for indie filmmakers.
- Residuals Processing Residuals payroll processing for all reuse markets (ATL/BTL payments, P&H contributions, and payroll taxes) including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, and IATSE residuals calculations based on sales/distribution revenue and applicable union CBAs.
- Insured Solutions (Insurance Services) Insurance services division providing tailored coverage for film production companies including foreign insurance, equipment insurance, EPLI, general liability, workers compensation, third party property damage, hired & non-owned auto, professional liability (E&O), cyber liability, cast coverage, and excess/umbrella coverage.
- Signatory Services Union signatory services for all major union agreements including SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, and IATSE, enabling productions to meet union signatory requirements under applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Quantifiable outcome
- 700+ original productions set up annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ABS Payroll and Accounting
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ABS Payroll and Accounting technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
ABS Payroll and Accounting partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MulberricoreInsurance partnership providing real-time insurance quotes for productions. ABS customers can obtain and bind insurance coverage through the Mulberri platform integrated into ABS services.
- Buffalo 8 ProductionscoreFull-service independent media studio providing development, production, and post-production services. Co-founded with BondIt under the same corporate umbrella, offering integrated solutions from financing through production to distribution.
- Insured Solutions (IS Agency LLC)coreInsurance services division under ABS providing comprehensive coverage including DICE/Annual Productions, Foreign Productions, Special Events, and Equipment insurance. Part of the shared corporate umbrella under Vensure Employer Solutions.
- Vensure Employer SolutionscoreParent company providing HCM platform infrastructure. ABS leverages Vensure's technology systems including VES Client portal, VES Employee portal, and Vensure Accounting platform for service delivery.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ABS Payroll and Accounting competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- GreenSlate: GreenSlate is a cloud-based payroll and production accounting platform purpose-built for film, TV, and commercial productions. Directly comparable to ABS's PMTS/ATLAS positioning, with a younger software-first approach targeting similar indie and mid-budget productions.
- SmartPay (entertainment payroll): SmartPay offers entertainment-industry payroll and tax services for features, TV, and live events, with growing software-enabled workflows. Emerging peer with overlapping entertainment payroll capabilities and a smaller share than ABS in the indie segment.
Direct peers
- Media Services Worldwide: Media Services Worldwide provides entertainment payroll, production accounting, residuals, and software for commercials, features, and TV. Directly competes with ABS for commercial and short-form production payroll work, with similar reliance on union compliance expertise.
- Entertainment Partners (EP): Entertainment Partners is the largest entertainment payroll and production accounting provider, offering cast/crew payroll, residuals, production accounting software (Scenechronize), and EOR services for film/TV/commercials. Directly comparable to ABS's employer-of-record payroll, residuals, and production accounting stack, just at a much larger scale across studio and streaming productions.
- Global Entertainment Services: Global Entertainment Services provides payroll, residuals, and production accounting for entertainment productions, including international work. Comparable to ABS on multi-state/multi-country payroll, union processing, and EOR services for productions.
- Sundance Payroll: Sundance Payroll is a smaller entertainment-focused payroll provider serving independent film, TV, and live entertainment. Closely comparable niche peer to ABS, particularly in indie and live entertainment segments where ABS positions itself.
- Burton Goldstein & Co. Burton Goldstein is an entertainment payroll and tax incentive services firm in Los Angeles, serving productions across the US. Comparable to ABS's Burbank-anchored, indie-and-mid-budget-focused payroll model with union signatory and tax-incentive advisory offerings.
- Myman Greenspan Fox & Rosenberg: Myman Greenspan is a Hollywood-based entertainment payroll and production accounting firm serving features, TV, and commercials with union signatory expertise. Closely comparable to ABS in segment focus (entertainment payroll and tax incentive services) and customer base (production companies and studios).
- Cast & Crew (formerly Axium): Cast & Crew is a major entertainment payroll, residuals, and production accounting services provider serving studios, streamers, and indies with PSL and Backstage software. Directly competes with ABS for entertainment payroll engagements across budget tiers and offers comparable union compliance and EOR capabilities.
Broad incumbents
- Vensure Employer Solutions: Vensure Employer Solutions is ABS's parent HCM/PEO platform that provides the underlying HR, payroll, and benefits technology infrastructure used by ABS. Broadly comparable as a payroll/PEO incumbent, but operates across all industries rather than specializing in entertainment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ABS Payroll and Accounting social profiles
Digital presenceABS Payroll and Accounting compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
ABS Payroll and Accounting financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ABS Payroll and Accounting leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
ABS Payroll and Accounting subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
ABS Payroll and Accounting funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ABS Payroll and Accounting M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ABS Payroll and Accounting
What does ABS Payroll and Accounting do?
ABS Payroll and Accounting provides employer-of-record payroll services and production accounting software specifically for entertainment industry productions. The company handles cast and crew payroll processing, multi-state tax withholding, workers' compensation, union compliance (SAG-AFTRA, DGA, WGA, IATSE), residuals, and year-end reporting, complemented by its proprietary PMTS platform and ATLAS production accounting software.
Is ABS Payroll and Accounting a public or private company?
ABS Payroll and Accounting is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was ABS Payroll and Accounting founded?
ABS Payroll and Accounting was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ABS Payroll and Accounting based?
ABS Payroll and Accounting is headquartered in Burbank, United States, in the North America region.
How does ABS Payroll and Accounting make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Entertainment Payroll Processing Services are the primary driver. The others are production Accounting Services, insurance Services and residuals Processing.
Who are ABS Payroll and Accounting's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are GreenSlate and SmartPay (entertainment payroll). Direct peers are Media Services Worldwide, Entertainment Partners (EP), Global Entertainment Services, Sundance Payroll, Burton Goldstein & Co., Myman Greenspan Fox & Rosenberg and Cast & Crew (formerly Axium). Vensure Employer Solutions is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does ABS Payroll and Accounting have an API?
No public API is recorded for ABS Payroll and Accounting.
What industry is ABS Payroll and Accounting in?
ABS Payroll and Accounting's product category is Entertainment Payroll Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAFAA, Crew & Labor Services (Production Staff, Unions, Payroll), with a secondary code of BPACAIAB, Payroll Software & Payroll-as-a-Service (SaaS). Its NAICS code is 541214 and its SIC code is 7361.