Webinar Details $219
- Webinar Length: 100 Minutes
- Guest Speaker: Shana Cooper
- Topic: Accounting
- Credit: ATATX 1.50, CPE 2.00
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This webinar, presented by Shana Cooper, CPA and founder of The Accountability Team LLC, provides a comprehensive look at how accounting teams can optimize their financial close process while maintaining quality. With over 30 years of accounting experience, including roles at companies like RSM and BlackLine, Cooper shares valuable insights for both internal accounting departments and accounting firms serving clients.
Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, participants explore the innovative CloseStrong Framework—a systematic approach that combines smart closing practices, trusted financial reporting, event readiness, technology optimization, and team development. This framework serves as a blueprint for building scalable, efficient close processes that maintain the highest standards of accuracy and compliance.
Key Topics Covered- Characteristics of an effective financial close and its importance to organizational success
- Strategies for improving efficiency without sacrificing quality
- The "CloseStrong" framework focusing on people, process, governance, and technology
- Practical approaches to identifying and resolving common close challenges
- Methods for evaluating and improving close procedures
- Setting appropriate metrics and goals for the close process
- Implementation strategies for close optimization
Through detailed case studies and guided exercises, attendees learn to identify bottlenecks in their current processes and develop actionable plans for improvement. Cooper emphasizes the importance of proper documentation, clear role definition, and continuous improvement in the close process.
The webinar is designed for accounting professionals at all levels, from preparers to reviewers and managers. Whether managing internal closes or supporting multiple clients, this webinar provides the strategies and insights needed to achieve a more efficient, accurate, and scalable close process while maintaining the highest standards of quality. Particular focus is placed on helping teams achieve faster closes while maintaining accuracy through proper attention to detail and process improvement.
Your Benefits For Attending- Recognize the importance of an effective financial close and what one looks like.
- Determine how you can be more efficient during the financial close without sacrificing quality.
- Explore the strategies and leading practices successful accounting teams use to enhance the effectiveness of their financial close.
- Introduction
- 30+ Year Of Financial Close 00:04:33
- Learning Objectives 00:07:06
- Your Learning Is Up To You 00:10:32
- Importance of a Strong Close 00:11:36
- Confidence is Key 00:12:27
- Foundation of Accounting Excellence: The 5 C’s 00:14:47
- Confidence is in the Close 00:15:59
- What a Weak Close is Costing You 00:20:39
- Accelerate Your Performance & Potential 00:26:00
- Why a Strong Close Matters 00:28:34
- Reasons to Optimize Your Close 00:29:00
- Close Optimization: Defined 00:29:28
- Common Close Optimization Myths 00:32:42
- Dispelling the Myths – People, Governance, Process, Technology 00:33:16
- Importance of a Strong Close 00:39:21
- CloseStrong Opinion – Client Close 00:39:36
- Situation Appraisal 00:40:23
- Value of Attaining Objectives 00:43:13
- Consider These Characteristics 00:45:26
- CloseStrong Audit Results 1 of 2 00:53:34
- CloseStrong Audit Results 2 of 2 01:00:09
- CloseStrong Audit Results 01:11:43
- Pilot Roadmap (30 to 15 Day Close) 01:16:27
- Foundation of Accounting Excellence: The 5 C’s 01:17:25
- Commitment Defined 01:17:43
- Efficiency vs. Effectiveness 01:18:10
- Importance of a Strong Close 01:19:59
- CloseStrong 01:20:32
- “Attention” Defined 01:20:41
- Steps To Drive The Right Commitment & Attention 01:22:15
- Pay Attention – Key Questions 01:24:57
- Example: Pulling Bank Statements 01:25:20
- Example: Pulling Bank Statements Continued 01:27:50
- Where the Attention Lies (Distractions) 01:28:14
- Cost of Not Paying Attention (Inaction) 01:29:26
- There Are Options – Process, People, Governance, Technology 01:30:14
- Top Close Strategies by Accounting Teams 01:31:56
- Technology Considerations 1 of 2 01:34:08
- Technology Considerations 2 of 2 01:34:23
- Foundation of Accounting Excellence: The 5 C’s 01:35:09
- Implement What You’ve Learned 01:35:14
- Close Self-Assessment Example 01:36:08
- CloseStrong Program – Strategy, Certification, Support 01:37:43
- Working Together – Support & Coaching 01:37:46
- Next Steps 01:38:09
- Questions & Answers 01:38:57
- Presentation Closing 01:40:29
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Shana Cooper
Shana is a proven accounting visionary and strategist, focused on leading accounting teams to confidence by protecting their reputation and being ready for anything. She has always been a champion of close optimization, especially through account reconciliations. Couple this with her pas [...]
ATATX Credit
Aurora Training Advantage is offering continuing education points designed to recognize dedication to training and excellence in accounting.CPE Credit
Aurora Training Advantage is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
For more information regarding administrative policies such as complaint and refund, and cancellation please contact our offices at 407-542-4317 or training@auroratrainingadvantage.com.
You must answer all questions during the webinar, view the recording completely and pass the test at the end with 70% correct answers to receive CPE credit.
- Accounting (ACCG) 00:07:46, 00:14:48, 00:16:08, 00:52:18
- Audit 00:05:25, 00:08:09, 00:17:22, 00:27:01, 00:30:25, 00:43:54, 01:25:42
- Close Optimization 00:29:32, 00:32:51,00:40:56
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) 00:27:26, 01:26:18, 01:29:10
- Financial Statement 00:54:18
- Reconciliation 00:05:03, 00:19:01
- Stakeholders 00:15:30
- Service Level Agreements (SLA) 01:16:21
Accounting (ACCG): A systematic way of recording and reporting financial transactions for a business or organization.
Audit: A formal examination of an organization's or individual's accounts or financial situation
Close Optimization: Close optimization is the process of making a close process more efficient and effective. This can be done by improving accuracy, communication, and reducing waste.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Refers to a type of software that organizations use to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, risk management and compliance, and supply chain operations.
Financial Statement: Financial statements (or financial reports) are formal records of the financial activities and position of a business, person, or other entity. ... A balance sheet or statement of financial position, reports on a company's assets, liabilities, and owners equity at a given point in time.
Reconciliation: Payroll reconciliation is when you compare your payroll register with the amount you're planning to pay out to your employees to confirm those numbers match. The simplest way to think about it is double-checking your math to ensure that you pay your employees correctly. Payroll reconciliation should happen frequently.
Service Level Agreements (SLA): A service level agreement (SLA) is a formal document that defines a working relationship between parties to a service contract.
Stakeholders: A stakeholder is a party that has an interest in a company and can either affect or be affected by the business. The primary stakeholders in a typical corporation are its investors, employees, customers and suppliers.