Research Reports

For the first time ever, IOMA Research has conducted a major study that uncovers best practices and benchmarks for the financial close in organizations of all sizes. Until now, only the largest companies—or companies using specific accounting software—have been surveyed regarding their closes.

Over 240 top financial professionals responded to IOMA’s exclusive survey, which addresses the basic questions about the close:

• Can we complete our accounting closes more rapidly?
• Do we perform too much account reconciliation during the close?
• Does the complexity of our corporate reporting prolong our closes?
• Would simplified IT systems shorten this process?
• Do we make good use of best practices?

With analysis of data presented in over 40 tables, you’ll be able to benchmark your operation against other companies similar to yours, plus learn how the surveyed CFOs, accounting managers, and controllers manage their closes and what issues are most important to them:

• Discussions of underused best practices and often neglected opportunities to accelerate the close
• Analysis of survey data on scheduling and timing of 10 key closing activities
• Over 100 best practice “successes” from the professionals who implemented them
• Best practices versus IT: which approach is best for you?
• 33 key best practices, ranked in importance by survey respondents
• Detailed analysis of the number of employees and staff hours needed for your close
• And much, much more

Improving the Financial Close: Benchmarks and Best Practices is available as a soft cover report or PDF for immediate download.

No-Risk Web Offer: You get IOMA's Ironclad 100% Money-Back Guarantee: if you're dissatisfied with the report for any reason, return it within 30 days and you'll receive a full refund — with no questions asked.

Preview this report's Table of contents, Table of figures, and Executive Summary.