A slow close is almost never a software problem. It's a sequencing problem. The tasks are usually right — they're just running in an order that guarantees you wait on yourself.
The core problem
Every firm has a close checklist. Most are alphabetical, or organized by G/L account. The order that matters is: what has to be true before the next thing can start.
What the fast firms do
Same tasks. Different sequence. Written down where the whole team can see it.
- Cash first, always. Bank reconciliations on day 1-2. Every accrual downstream depends on tying to cash. Wait on cash and everything else waits with it.
- Batch the estimates. Prepaid amortization, depreciation, allowance-for-doubtful — anything schedule-driven — done on day 3 in one sitting.
- Client-side asks go out day 1. Anything you need from the client (receipts, contracts, mileage) is a day-1 email. Not a day-5 realization.
- One reviewer, one pass. Not three reviewers doing overlapping passes. One senior with a clear checklist, one round of changes, done.
The math
The delta between a 12-day close and a 6-day close is almost entirely wait time — waiting on the client, waiting on the reviewer, waiting on your own next step. Sequencing eliminates the wait.
The exception
Multi-entity consolidations and revenue-recognition-heavy books justify a longer close. Even there, the sequence still matters. Slow-but-well-sequenced beats fast-and-chaotic every time.
Draft yours with the Close Checklist tool.