BlackLine

BlackLine Systems specializes in solutions that optimize and automate financial close processes. An astonishing number of processes within the accounting and finance group are still manual, spreadsheet-driven, and error-prone. The functionality that is offered in BlackLine's applications is often missing from ERP and accounting systems. An intelligent use of technology to implement rules-driven automation can help companies drastically cut costs. (See our case study for an example of a client saving $40,000 per month.)

BlackLine offers the following modules:

Balance Sheet Account Reconciliations - Automate and monitor a key critical control. Know where you are in the process at any given point in time. Be confident that reconciliations, even in remote locations, are being completed accurately and on-time. Evaluate the materiality of exceptions across the entire organization.

Task Management - Replace the "binders full of checklists" required by most companies to track their close calendar process. Use electronic sign-offs, flexible due dates, and task dependencies to gain full visibility into the close process.

Journal Approvals - Compliance regulations require management sign-off on all manual journal entries. While some companies use functionality in their ERP systems, many others have a paper-intensive process. Replace this process with a streamlined electronic sign-off that includes all supporting documentation.

Variance Analysis - Implement an automated rules-driven process to monitor the fluctuation tolerances set for your company or even particular business units. When a variance rule is broken, the system automatically notifies the people responsible for explaining variances.

Transaction Matching - Validate high volumes of transactions against one another efficiently and accurately. Intuitive exception aging and processing integrates seamlessly with period end reconciliations.

Journal Creation - Create, validate, and approve journals before seamlessly posting or exporting them into your ERP or GL. Flexible and powerful validation rules result in little to no exceptions in journal postings.

Each of BlackLine's modules incorporates capabilities in the areas of supporting document management, automated email alerts, auditor access, and advanced data interfacing.