GUIDEBOOK

Whether you’re entering data, reviewing reports, or signing off on the final statements, the financial close is one of the most important and stressful moments in the finance calendar.

For many teams, it’s also where valuable time, accuracy, and energy are lost. Spreadsheets multiply. Inbox overflow. The deadline gets closer. And somewhere between the first numbers arriving and the final report being signed off, the process feels more chaotic than controlled.

This guide is for everyone involved in the close:

• The users - Group reporting teams, controllers, and accountants who live in the details and make sure the numbers are right.
• The managers - Heads of Accounting and Group Consolidation who oversee the process, keep things moving, and deal with exceptions.
• The decision-makers - CFOs who rely on accurate, timely data to make strategic calls.

No matter your role, our goal is to help you close with confidence — and without the long nights, rushed fixes at the end, or endless reconciliations.

Download your free GUIDEBOOK and make your consolidation process faster, smoother, and more reliable - giving you the clarity to lead with confidence. Explore modern tools like IBM Controller that make it all easier.

The Real Role of Financial Consolidation

When the process works, it’s powerful. But when it doesn’t - when closes drag out, errors creep in, and teams burn out chasing spreadsheets - the costs have a domino effect through the business. Forecasts lose accuracy, compliance risk rises, and confidence in the numbers erodes.

That’s why getting consolidation right isn’t just a finance issue, it’s a leadership issue.

The Key Steps in Consolidation

Data Gathering 2. Data Validation 3. Data Transformation 4. Data Aggregation 5. Financial Reporting

Manual vs Automated Consolidation: What’s the Real Difference?

Manual consolidation isn’t just slow — it creates risk, wastes valuable finance talent on low-value tasks, and makes audits more painful. Automation doesn’t just speed things up; it gives finance leaders confidence in the numbers, improves collaboration, and frees the team to focus on analysis and strategy.

The 5-Step Model for a Smoother Close

A smoother close isn’t about working harder — it’s about structuring the process so that the right steps happen at the right time, with less stress on your team. Find out what the 5-step Model is for a smoother close.

3 Ways to Simplify Intercompany Eliminations

If you ask any controller or group accountant what part of the close makes them groan, “intercompany eliminations” will be near the top of the list. It’s tedious, it’s time-consuming, and it often feels like a constant back-and-forth trying to make the numbers match. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Building a Future-Ready Consolidation Process

A future-ready consolidation process has three qualities:

• Scalable
• Adaptable
• Compliant

Cloud deployment options give you flexibility without losing power, so you can scale as your business grows, no extra IT project required.

Your Next Steps

Big change doesn’t have to happen overnight. In fact, the best way to start is with a few small, smart steps.

Find out some quick wins you can start this month.

About IBM Controller

With IBM Controller, you can see exactly where each entity stands in the close process, all at a glance. Clear visual indicators show whether tasks are on time, late, or complete, while built-in tracking keeps tabs on submissions, validations, and approvals.

You can easily drill down by region, business unit, or even by the responsible person.

Get your free copy of the guidebook: "The Confident Close: A Practical Guide to Faster, Smarter Financial Consolidation"!