The Controller's Role in the Financial Close 2 Credits
The Controllership Series
Select your learning mode
Within this segment of our controllership series, we will discuss the area of financial close.
There’s something magical about the last few days of every financial period. No wait, not magical - miserable. Finance teams devote enormous time and energy to what should be a smooth operation. And in every workplace, it’s a stress fest. Regardless of a company’s size or financial sophistication, the financial close process can become convoluted.
A common challenge for the controller role is in closing the month-end and period-end books in preparation to issue financial statements. This duty requires precision, timing, and efficiency. Sequential steps — from recording transactions to generating financial statements — must be done efficiently, collaboratively, and accurately before accountants can close the books.
Managers, analysts, Boards, and investors digest market information in real-time and are beginning to expect the same financial results. To meet these high expectations, the CFO and controller need to find ways to speed up their financial close processes to report the financial results before they become perceived as old news in the new world
The closing process has traditionally been a slow one with many companies taking two weeks to close their subsidiary’s books and another two to three weeks to roll up and consolidate the results. In today’s fast-paced digital world, much has been done to help accelerate that process with integrated enterprise resource planning systems, general ledger, and consolidated software.
In this online continuing education course, the speaker Lynn Fountain will discuss the many facets involved in closing the books and will provide insights into expediting the process in order to be able to create more timely financial statements.
Typical steps in the accounting close process include:
In this online CPE/CPD webinar, we will discuss the elements of the financial close and also important concepts to assist the controller in accelerating their close timeline.
This includes addressing of all functional areas of the close including payroll, invoicing, payables, inventory, cash, and the general ledger. In this online CPE course, we will also discuss important concepts of ensuring that your financial close is accurate by discussing bank reconciliations, overhead allocations, bad debt reserves, unpaid wages, accruals for vacation time, account reconciliations, deprecation, and overall financial statement review.
| License details | Credits | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) | 2 CPE | Approved |
| Accounting for CPA in Canada | 2 CPD | Eligible |
| Financial Accounting for Certified Internal Auditors (CIA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Financial Reporting for Certified Management Accountants (CMA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Accounting for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | 2 PL | Eligible |
| Accounting for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Accounting for Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Accounting for Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Accounting for Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) | 2 CPD | Eligible |
| Chartered Accountant - ICAEW | 2 CPD | Eligible |
| Financial Reporting for Certified Financial Forensics (CFF) | 2 CPD | Eligible |
| Financial accounting for Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Accounting for Qualification in Internal Audit Leadership (QIAL) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Accounting for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Accounting for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Accounting for CIPM | 2 PL | Eligible |
| Financial accounting for Certified Business Appraiser (CBA)/Master Certified Business Appraiser (MCBA) | 2 CPE | Eligible |
| Chartered Accountants - Ireland (CAI) | 2 CPD | Eligible |
| Chartered Accountants - Scotland | 2 CPD | Eligible |
| CPA - Ireland | 2 CPD | Eligible |
| Financial accounting concepts for Certified FP&A Professional (FP&A) | 2 CE | Eligible |
| License details | Credits | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Management Services for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) | 1 CPE | Approved |
| CPA in Canada | 1.5 CPD | Eligible |
| Certified Management Accountants (CMA) | 1.5 CPE | Eligible |
| Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) | 1.5 CE | Eligible |
| Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist (CFIRS) | 1.5 CE | Eligible |
Credits
Course Level
Instructional Method
Pre-requisites
Advance Preparation
MY-CPE LLC, 1600 Highway 6 south, suite 250, sugar land, TX, 77478
MY-CPE LLC (Sponsor Id#: 143597) 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.
Explore CPA CPE Courses with MY-CPE. Our online offerings make it easy for you to fulfill your CPA CPE requirements. With a broad selection of topics taught by experienced professionals, you can enjoy flexible scheduling and self-paced learning. Say goodbye to traditional methods and begin your path to professional growth with us today!
Lynn Fountain has over 39 years of experience spanning public accounting, corporate accounting and consulting. 20 years of her experience has been working in the areas of internal and external auditing and risk management. She is a subject matter expert in multiple fields including internal audit, ethics, fraud evaluations, Sarbanes-Oxley, enterprise risk management, governance, financial management and compliance. Lynn has held two Chief Audit Executive (CAE) positions for international companies. In one of her roles as CAE, she assisted in the investigation of a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme perpetrated by a vendor that spanned 7 years and implicated 20 employees. The fraud was formally investigation by the FBI and resulted in 5 indictments estimating a $13M fraud loss.
Ms. Fountain is currently engaged in her own consulting and training practice. She has successfully executed on several consulting assignments spanning areas of accounting, risk, ERM and internal audit. She is a highly sought-after trainer and international speaker and has produced hundreds of courses delivered through seminars, conferences and on-demand training. She is the author of three separate technical books.
Ms.
Fountain obtained her BSBA from Pittsburg State University and her MBA from
Washburn University in Kansas. She has her CPA, CGMA, CRMA credentials.
Self Study QAS (Quality Assurance Service) is a NASBA and other regulatory bodies approved program designed for Professionals to complete their Continuing Professional Education credits through self-paced, interactive courses that meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. We are approved by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies.
To earn CPE credits, you must complete the self-study course, pass the required assessments, and submit the necessary documentation. Credits are awarded based on the completion of course hours and successfully passing the assessments.
Yes, all our self-study courses are approved by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies, ensuring they meet the rigorous standards for quality and educational content set by these organizations.
To maintain compliance, you must follow the guidelines set by NASBA and other regulatory bodies, which include completing the course within the specified timeframe, passing the assessments, and keeping accurate records of your learning activities.
After successfully completing a self-study course and passing the assessments, you can access and download your course completion certificates from your account dashboard on our platform. These certificates are recognized by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies for compliance and reporting purposes.
We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days – the fastest in the industry.
A Live Webinar Group Internet-Based Credit is an interactive, real-time online seminar where professionals can earn Continuing Education credits by participating in live sessions led by experts in various fields. These sessions meet the standards set by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies.
To earn credits, you must attend the entire live webinar, actively participate in any polls or questions, and complete any required evaluations or assessments. Credits are awarded based on your attendance and participation in the live session.
Yes, all our live webinars are approved by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies, ensuring they meet the high standards for quality, interactivity, and educational content set by these organizations.
To maintain compliance, you must adhere to the guidelines set by NASBA and other regulatory bodies, which include attending the full duration of the webinar, participating in interactive elements, and completing any post-webinar evaluations or assessments.
After successfully attending a live webinar and fulfilling all participation requirements, you can access and download your completion certificates from your account dashboard on our platform. These certificates are recognized by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other regulatory bodies for compliance and reporting purposes.
We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days – the fastest in the industry.
AB
Understanding the Monthly Close and year-end close is important to learn and also preparation or adjusting-entries and closing entries to prepare financial statements such as income statement and Balance Sheet and also Consolidated Statements are important in learning. This Webinar and Handout is important in learning the subject matter correctly
CH
This was a great summary of the closing process. Lynn Fountain always puts on a great presentation.
Feb 06, 01:30 PM ET
-1729596088.webp-1737986048 "How to Transition out of Corporate or Public Accounting and Build your own Cannabis Accounting, Tax, and CFO firm")
Feb 21, 01:30 PM ET
Mar 06, 04:00 PM ET
Earn continuing education credits with flexibility. Choose from live webinars, on-demand courses, e-books, or podcasts to fit your learning style and schedule.
We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days - fastest in the industry.
Track and manage your compliance across all 50 states and over 100 designations. Our Credit Tracker keeps your CPE credits and compliance requirements always up-to-date.
Certificate Vault to upload, manage, and access certificates earned from various sources and an integrated credit tracker, allowing users to monitor and manage their credits conveniently for compliance.
Stay current with our automated reminder system. Receive timely alerts for your CPE requirements, ensuring you never miss a deadline.
The myCPE Mobile App allows you to learn on the go, providing access to educational content on Android and Apple iOS devices. You can learn anytime and anywhere, making it convenient for busy schedules.
Our support team is available via live chat, email, and phone from 9 AM to 5 PM ET. We're here to help with any questions or issues, ensuring you have a seamless experience.
Select your plan, complete your payment, and access a world of knowledge.
| Subscription Inclusions | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|
13,000+ Hrs of CPE approved Content
Largest content library covering all aspects of professional development. |
 |
|
|
500+ Emerging Subject Areas
Wide range of subject areas tailored to meet diverse learning needs of all the department of the firm. |
|
|
|
50+ State- Specific Ethics Courses
Stay compliant with ethics requirements for every state. |
|
|
|
50+ State Compliance Packages
Pre-selected courses for quick compliance, saving time and effort. |
|
|
|
100+ Advanced Certification Programs
Expert-led programs to build advanced expertise and strengthen your career credentials. |
|
|
|
AICPA Eligibility Programs (CFF, ABV, PFS)
Pre-Packaged Eligibility Courses for AICPA designations such as PFS, ABV, and CFF, offering CPE credits upon completion. |
|
|
|
Compliance Tracker and Credit Vault
Store all your certificates in one place, stay compliance-ready with ease, and track your progress effortlessly using the built-in credit tracker. |
|
|
|
Instant Certification and Fast Reporting
Instant reporting to IRS, CFP Board, and other governing bodies. |
|
|
| Mobile App Access (iOS and Android) | |
|
|
Access to Communities
Join communities tailored to your specific interests and areas of expertise. |
 |
|
|
Select Tenure |
