Our goal is to improve accounting management to better prepare managers, teams, and players to handle today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.
Background:
Once a upon time, Bryan, a controller, tired and frustrated that small anomalies during month end close would derail the team’s focus and ability to consistently close on time. His team was constantly working late nights during month end close to attempt to make his demanding close schedule. His team also became frustrated, many of the inconsistency and month end anomalies were not caused by his team.
Every month the events seemed to unfold exactly the same way… the accounting team trudged through the month end close process with feeling of dread of Sisyphus. “Black out” days were established to restrict when vacation could be taken to make sure the entire team was present during close. Missed family dinners and late night became the routine.
Until one day, Bryan, applied a modified Scrum methodology to his team’s processes using a 4×8 foot whiteboard from using Post-it notes after reading reading SCRUM The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time.
Because of that teamwork and task clarity improved dramatically within the first month. The team was able to quickly address small anomalies as a team and quickly realign the accounting resources to solve problems.
Because of that, the accounting team continued to grow and consistently issued timely and accurate financials allow decisions makers throughout the company to make more informed decisions. Allowing the company to navigate changes in the economic climate.
Until finally, the Black out days were lifted and the team started making it to more family dinners. Bryan even took a vacation during month end close. His team was proud on his return to show that all tasks were completed on time.
Sharing:
Accounting Scrum and BusinessDay can bring dramatic improvements to your accounting team. This site is dedicated helping accounting teams implement and apply the Scrum methodology to their processes.