Cambridge
Academy
In London

Introduction

Advanced accounting management ensures accurate financial records, strong controls, timely reporting, and effective team performance—while supporting business decisions and compliance requirements. This program equips accounting leaders with modern approaches to managing the record-to-report cycle, strengthening governance and internal controls, improving close efficiency, and delivering high-quality management and statutory reporting.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

·        Strengthen accounting governance, policies, and team operating rhythms

·        Improve close management, reconciliations, and financial reporting quality

·        Enhance internal controls, compliance readiness, and audit support practices

·        Optimize accounting processes through standardization, automation, and best practices

·        Strengthen variance analysis, issue resolution, and stakeholder management

·        Build an actionable accounting improvement roadmap for the next 12 months

Target Audience

This course is designed for:

·        Accounting managers, senior accountants, and finance supervisors

·        GL, R2R, AP, AR, and fixed asset leads

·        Finance shared services and process owners

·        Internal control and compliance professionals supporting finance

·        Professionals preparing for accounting leadership roles

Course Outlines

Day 1: Accounting Leadership, Governance & Operating Model

·        The role of accounting management: assurance, performance, and stewardship

·        Accounting operating model: roles, responsibilities, and segregation of duties

·        Policies and procedures: building a controlled, consistent accounting environment

·        Close governance: calendar, milestones, sign-offs, and escalation paths

·        Activity: Accounting maturity assessment + key risks and process gaps mapping

Day 2: Close Excellence & Record-to-Report Process Optimization

·        Designing a fast and accurate close: standardization and ownership

·        Close checklist discipline: cut-offs, dependencies, and critical controls

·        Journal entry governance: approvals, supporting evidence, and analytics checks

·        Intercompany and consolidation readiness: common issues and controls (overview)

·        Workshop: Build a close blueprint (calendar + checklist + RACI + control points)

Day 3: Reconciliations, Controls & Audit-Ready Evidence

·        Reconciliation best practices: frequency, thresholds, exceptions, and documentation

·        Sub-ledger to GL controls: completeness and accuracy checks

·        Internal controls: preventive/detective controls and key control identification

·        Evidence management: documentation standards, retention, and audit trails

·        Practical activity: Reconciliation simulation + control testing checklist and issue log

Day 4: Reporting Quality, Compliance & Issue Resolution

·        Financial statement quality: tie-outs, disclosures support, and review workflows

·        Compliance readiness: policies, approvals, and regulatory reporting basics

·        Managing errors and restatements: materiality, corrections, and governance

·        Root cause analysis and remediation planning (CAPA concepts)

·        Case study: Handling a reporting issue (diagnosis, correction, communication, prevention)

Day 5: Performance Management, Automation & Continuous Improvement

·        Accounting performance KPIs: close days, backlog, recon completion, error rates, audit issues

·        Process automation opportunities: standard entries, workflows, and controls automation concepts

·        Team leadership: workload management, capability building, and quality culture

·        Stakeholder communication: management packs, explanations, and decision support