Optimizing the Month-end Close

When:  Mar 21, 2018 from 05:30 PM to 07:00 PM (CT)
Associated with  Madison Chapter

Please register by noon on Tuesday, March 20th

Speaker:  Gabe Zubizarreta, Financial Transformation Leader, Speaker, and CEO of Silicon Valley Accountants

Event Information:

What you will learn:

  • Why the accounting close process is fundamentally different from other processes
  • Available techniques for streamlining closing processes and how to pick the right ones
  • Key elements of a LEAN close optimization approach
  • Current best practices for close optimization
  • What technologies are available to support the process
  • How to create an effective strategy and a process improvement plan while lowering overall project risk
  • How to reduce close, SOX and audit efforts and costs

Why you should attend:

Are you looking for a better way to improve your close? Are you concerned that current processes often result in surprises and issues that seem to recur? Are you missing opportunities to improve because you are too busy closing the way you always did? While recognized as a crucial process, and the subject of in-creasing regulatory scrutiny, the close process has been remarkably resistant to the type of re-engineering eff orts that have improved performance and productivity in other areas. Period-end accounting close and financial reporting re-quires collaboration to analyze data, make adjustments, review changes and create reports. Even with a strong ERP and reporting software in place, most companies use multiple checklists and spreadsheets to help manage the most manual portions of this monthly process.

The constantly evolving nature of the close, along with each company’s unique requirements, limits the effectiveness of standard process re-engineering methods. Instead, a total solution approach, focusing on continuous improvement provides the best path to success. Join accounting close expert Gabe Zubizarreta in this fast paced overview where the tools necessary to apply continuous improvement principles to your close will be introduced. Learn about the best practices employed by others to achieve a successful (i.e. accurate, visible, faster, predictable, etc.) result.

Speaker Information:

Gabe Zubizarreta is the CEO and Founding Principal of Silicon Valley Accountants. Central to Gabe’s role at Silicon Valley Accountants is educating both technical (e.g., revenue recognition, COSO) and soft skills (e.g., leadership, effective communication, teamwork and team building). Gabe designed a Financial Effectiveness Framework which delivers continuous improvement-based results to optimize financial processes by focusing on people, processes, and systems. This Framework is based on a balanced approach of training, leadership, process improvement, and system optimization. He has more than 10 years of prior experience at PwC, has previously held various Controller positions, and has led several merger integration projects. Gabe is focused on delivering exceptional results and is a passionate advocate for process improvement and financial transformation.

Time: 5:30 check-in, networking, & appetizers; 6:00 presentation

Meeting Cost: $25 members; $35 non-members; $20 students, retirees, and unemployed

CPE Earned: 1 hour

Location: Pooley’s, 5441 High Crossing Blvd., Madison, WI 53718

Map to Location:  Pooley's

New Member Incentive:  As an incentive for new members to attend our meetings, we are offering the first meeting attended during the 2017-2018 chapter year FREE of charge to anyone who joined the Madison Chapter after 6/1/17 through the current chapter year.  For those that are eligible, to claim your free meeting, select the new member option on the registration form.  You will then be asked to provide your IMA member number for verification purposes.​

Location

Pooley's
5441 High Crossing Blvd.
Madison, WI 53718
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