With so much focus typically placed on front-end travel and logistics planning, the critical function of finance and budget reconciliation can often take a backseat. At Show Group, that’s no longer the case. The business has repositioned production finance as a front-office priority, recognising its direct impact on overall project success. 

Productions have consistently identified that strong budget control depends on meticulous and timely reconciliation of travel-related costs. This includes staying across expected charges while proactively managing potential overages – ensuring there are no surprises at trial balance or during final wrap.

Strengthening the Finance Function

In response, Show Group has made a significant investment in its finance capability, one of the largest expansions of its kind. The goal is clear: to ensure accounting teams are treated as priority stakeholders alongside travel coordinators, production teams, and unit production managers.

At the centre of this investment is the expansion of the dedicated Entertainment Reconciliation Officer (ERO) – specialist roles focused on managing the invoicing and reconciliation of all travel services. These roles are designed to support the production accounting teams, ensuring financial accuracy and maintaining the integrity of production budgets.

The ERO Role in Action

The ERO becomes involved from the earliest stages of pre-production, working closely with production accountants to establish clear financial expectations from the outset. As production progresses, this relationship becomes a critical touchpoint – allowing for quick resolution of queries and ensuring alignment at every stage.

From pre-production through to final reconciliation and wrap, the ERO provides consistent oversight, helping productions maintain control and clarity over their financial position. 

As General Manager Adam Tulich explains, the role was created to reflect a fundamental shift in thinking:

“It was abundantly clear to me that finance is a front-office function in production. The dependency on meticulous and timely reconciliation – particularly with offset and tax rebate considerations – means we must deliver a reliable and highly personal service to accounting and bookkeeping teams.”

Adam Tulich, General Manager

Expanding the Finance Team

Alongside the ERO roles, Show Group highlights two additional positions to further strengthen its finance capability.

The Finance Officer role centralises accounts receivable and payable functions, manages debtor statements and general finance enquiries. Working closely with the ERO team, this role ensures a seamless connection between front-end service delivery and back-end financial processes.

The Finance Business Partner adds a more strategic layer, supporting the General Manager and working across the full production lifecycle. This role focuses on understanding the broader financial requirements of each production, identifying where additional support may be needed, and helping shape the most effective resourcing approach. 

“Large productions often involve long-term, large-scale requirements. With this investment, we’re now in a much stronger position to have meaningful conversations with production teams about what they need to succeed from a uniquely finance lens.”

Nick Haines, Head of Sales & Client Management

Backed by CTM Infrastructure

A key advantage for Show Group is its connection to the global infrastructure of Corporate Travel Management (CTM). This provides access to advanced technology, enabling Show Group to support complex productions across both logistics and finance. 

Each production is set up with CTM ‘Portal’, an interactive “hub” for accounting teams and production coordinators, providing real-time data, expense management & invoices, traveller risk & duty-of-care, pre-approvals, 24/7 Scout AI Assist, right through to ‘Lightning’ online bookings which offer full comparison shopping including the best entertainment rates exclusive to production.

Lightning is built for modern productions that embrace sustainability across every mode of travel;

• View and compare granular flight emissions data calculated from aircraft age, engine model, seat configuration, sustainable aviation fuel adoption, and more.
• Select the lowest emission travel options in just one click.
• Up your ground transport with EV & Hybrid car rental options.

This backing ensures Show Group can not only meet current production needs but also adapt to evolving industry demands.

“With changing market dynamics, further cost controls and emerging technologies, we need to continuously evolve. Leveraging CTM’s infrastructure and global transformation capability allows us to deliver better outcomes for the production industry now and into the future.”

Adam Tulich, General Manager

A More Integrated Approach to Production Finance

By bringing finance into the front office and investing in specialist roles, Show Group is redefining how production finance is managed for travel & logistics. The result is a more integrated, proactive, and reliable approach – one that supports productions from planning through to final wrap with greater confidence and control.

To learn more about how Show Group supports production finance, visit their website.