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AF-020

Fast Closing Monthly and Year-End Accounts

Intensive 5-day course · English, Arabic & European languages

Finance departments face constant pressure to close their ledgers quickly without losing accuracy. Over five days, delegates learn to map their current closing procedures, identify bottlenecks, and redesign their workflows for faster reporting. The programme covers soft and virtual closes. It also explores techniques for aligning the finance function with internal user needs.

Classroom

Public courses in our cities

  • 26–30 Oct 2026Muscat£3,080 + VAT
  • 9–13 Nov 2026Rome£3,400 + VAT
  • 23–27 Nov 2026Manama£3,080 + VAT
  • 14–18 Dec 2026Munich£3,400 + VAT
  • 28 Dec – 1 Jan 2026Dubai£4,200 + VAT
  • 4–8 Jan 2027Frankfurt£2,600 + VAT
Show 23 more dates
  • 18–22 Jan 2027Muscat£3,080 + VAT
  • 1–5 Feb 2027Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 15–19 Feb 2027Casablanca£2,280 + VAT
  • 8–12 Mar 2027Istanbul£2,280 + VAT
  • 22–26 Mar 2027Manama£3,080 + VAT
  • 12–16 Apr 2027Rome£3,400 + VAT
  • 26–30 Apr 2027Amman£3,400 + VAT
  • 10–14 May 2027Munich£3,400 + VAT
  • 24–28 May 2027Madrid£3,400 + VAT
  • 7–11 Jun 2027Frankfurt£2,600 + VAT
  • 21–25 Jun 2027Berlin£3,400 + VAT
  • 5–9 Jul 2027Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 19–23 Jul 2027Milan£3,400 + VAT
  • 9–13 Aug 2027Istanbul£2,280 + VAT
  • 23–27 Aug 2027Malaga£3,080 + VAT
  • 13–17 Sep 2027Rome£3,400 + VAT
  • 27 Sep – 1 Oct 2027Sarajevo£3,400 + VAT
  • 11–15 Oct 2027Munich£3,400 + VAT
  • 25–29 Oct 2027Dubai£4,200 + VAT
  • 1–5 Nov 2027Frankfurt£2,600 + VAT
  • 15–19 Nov 2027Riyadh£4,200 + VAT
  • 6–10 Dec 2027Barcelona£3,080 + VAT
  • 20–24 Dec 2027Doha£4,200 + VAT

Group discount: 2 delegates 20% · 3 delegates 35% · 5 or more delegates 50%

Can't make these dates? We can run this course for your team on dates that suit you. Ask for custom dates · In-house options

Online (live)

With a trainer, on dates to suit your team

This course can be taught live online by a trainer, in English, Arabic or any European language, for one person or a whole team.

£1,850 + VAT

Group discount: 2 delegates 20% · 3 delegates 35% · 5 or more delegates 50%

Special requests

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Fast Closing Monthly and Year-End Accounts

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Course overview

Month-end and year-end closes are major tasks for any finance department, often requiring long hours to produce reports that internal users find difficult to read. This course focuses on stripping waste from the closing cycle while maintaining accuracy. Delegates learn to spot inefficiencies in their current routines. Afterwards, they apply continuous improvement principles directly to their ledgers.

The programme begins by defining hard, soft, and virtual closes. Delegates examine the common disconnects between finance teams and other departments, looking at how to map closing processes and analyse cycle times. They identify the bottlenecks that slow down the final reports. The middle modules cover specific ledgers. Delegates explore ways to streamline accounts payable, payroll, billing, and inventory costing.

The final sections focus on the reporting package and the general ledger. Delegates look at operational budgeting, fixed asset registers, and the specific elements of a fast-close reporting pack. Throughout the course, delegates work through practical exercises based on the real-world closing problems they face in their own organisations.

Course objectives

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:

  1. Differentiate between hard, soft, and virtual closes
  2. Assess and resolve disconnects between finance and internal users
  3. Map existing closing processes and identify bottlenecks
  4. Redesign workflows to speed up the closing cycle
  5. Apply best practices to procurement, billing, and payroll ledgers
  6. Produce accurate month-end and year-end reporting packages

Target competencies

  • Process analysis
  • Closing procedures
  • Analytical skills
  • Process mapping
  • Applying closing best practices

Who should attend

This course suits:

  • Finance managers and financial controllers
  • Management accountants
  • General ledger accountants
  • Accounts receivable and accounts payable staff
  • Senior and assistant accountants

Training methodology

  • Practical exercises
  • Case study analysis
  • Individual presentations
  • Group presentations based on delegate challenges

Course modules

  1. Module 1

    Defining the fast close

    • Benefits of a fast close
    • Hard, soft, and virtual closes
    • Components of a soft close
    • The vision for the finance function
    • Core finance and accounting activities
  2. Module 2

    Finance as an added value

    • Making financial information useful
    • Identifying finance function stakeholders
    • Disconnects between finance and internal users
    • Needs assessment and user satisfaction tools
  3. Module 3

    Redesigning the finance function

    • Shifting the finance paradigm
    • Common information deficiencies
    • Identifying the need for redesign
    • Reasons to redesign processes
    • Three steps for process improvement
  4. Module 4

    Planning the fast close process

    • Establishing a fast close plan
    • Pre-close activities and processes
    • Implementing plans while maintaining control
    • Redesign tools for finance processes
    • Using cost and cycle time charts
    • Mapping processes and analysing value
    • Finding process bottlenecks
    • Organising resources for the fast close
    • Shifting close activities
    • Selecting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
    • Continuous improvement in closing
  5. Module 5

    Applying best practices in the close

    • Enhancing the operating cycle
  6. Module 6

    Procurement and disbursement processes

    • Managing accounts payable
    • Processing travel and entertainment
    • Inventory and costing procedures
    • The payroll process
    • Costing and analysis methods
    • Handling commissions and fees
  7. Module 7

    Billing and collection processes

    • Accounts receivable and billing procedures
    • Collections and cash management
    • Administration and reporting
    • Managing the general ledger
    • Operational budgeting
    • Managing fixed assets
    • Financial reporting procedures
    • Components of the close reporting package

Certificate

Every delegate who completes the course receives an ARUK Training Certificate of Attendance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I register?

Choose a date and city in the schedule and press Register, or send us an enquiry. Our team confirms your place and sends an invoice.

Are fees shown with VAT?

Fees are shown per delegate and exclude VAT, which is added to the invoice where applicable.

Can this course be delivered for our team only?

Yes. Any ARUK course can be delivered in-house at your premises, in a meeting room we book for you, or 1-to-1.

Is this course available online?

Yes. We run it live online with a trainer, on dates that suit your team, for £1,850 + VAT per delegate.

Is there a group discount?

Yes. 20% for 2 delegates, 35% for 3 delegates and 50% for 5 or more delegates on the same course.

Can the course be delivered in Arabic or another language?

Yes. Our courses can be delivered in English, Arabic or any European language, by a trainer who teaches in that language. Mention your preferred language when you register or enquire.

What certificate will I receive?

An ARUK Training Certificate of Attendance.

Related courses

Register

Fast Closing Monthly and Year-End Accounts

Key booking terms (read before you register)
  • The full fee is paid in advance, before the course starts.
  • Cancel in writing 30 or more days before the start date (45 for in-house) for a refund. Later than that, the full fee is payable.
  • No refund for non-attendance or partial attendance.
  • Places are for the named delegate only; another person cannot attend instead.
  • Moving to another date or city is only possible if ARUK agrees in writing.
  • Travel, accommodation and visas are your responsibility. A refused visa does not change the cancellation terms.

booking terms and conditions

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Fast Closing Monthly and Year-End Accounts