Month‑end doesn’t have to be a fire drill. The fastest closers don’t work longer—they work earlier and automate the repeatable 80% so humans can focus on the 20% that needs judgment. Here’s a pragmatic playbook to cut your close time in half in one quarter—without sacrificing control.

Why your close is slow (and how automation fixes it)

Symptom → Root cause → Automation fix

• Waiting for statements → manual bank downloads → Bank feeds + auto‑match rules

• Endless AP chase → email approvals → AP workflows + 3‑way match + OCR

• Revrec chaos → spreadsheets for deferrals → Automated revenue schedules

• Accruals guessed → late vendor bills → Rules‑based accrual journals (reverse next month)

• Intercompany pain → offline confirmations → Interco hub + auto‑netting

• VAT tie‑outs stall → e‑invoice/receipt data off‑ledger → API sync + GL reconciliation

• “Where’s the doc?” → shared‑drive scavenger hunts → Close checklist + e‑binder evidence

The 10‑step automation blueprint

1. Close calendar + RACI Publish day‑by‑day tasks and owners (bank recs, AP cutoff, revrec, accruals, VAT tie‑outs, IC, FA, reporting). Use reminders.

2. Bank‑feed auto‑recs Turn on direct feeds; set auto‑match rules for payroll, fees, payouts; review exceptions only. Target 95% match on Day 1.

3. AP on rails Ingest invoices via OCR; route to budget owners; enforce PO + 3‑way match for spend > threshold; post to GL when approved.

4. AR + collections sync Quote‑to‑Cash integration plus dunning and autopay. Auto‑post cash receipts; flag disputes for CS, not finance.

5. Revenue recognition engine Contracts feed schedules for SaaS/retainers; handle upgrades/downgrades, credits, and FX. Eliminate spreadsheet deferrals.

6. Rules‑based accruals Auto‑accrue common expenses (cloud, shipping, contractors) from usage or historicals; set auto‑reversals on Day 1.

7. Fixed assets & prepaids Automate capitalization, depreciation/amortization, and prepaid schedules with monthly postings.

8. Intercompany & consolidation Mirror COAs, automate IC billing and netting; auto‑eliminate on consolidation; lock FX rates.

9. Tax tie‑outs (MENA/GCC specifics) Reconcile e‑invoice/e‑receipt totals to GL and bank; maintain qualifying‑income tags for free‑zone reporting; post VAT/CT journals from sub‑ledgers.

10. Close “cockpit” + e‑binder Central dashboard for task status, late items, and exceptions; auto‑file evidence (trial balance, lead schedules, reconciliations, tax reports) for audit.

30‑60‑90‑day plan to cut close time in half

Days 1–30: Stabilize

• Publish close calendar; set cut‑offs (AP/AR, journals).

• Turn on bank feeds; implement auto‑match for top 10 transaction types.

• AP intake with OCR + approval routes; enforce POs for >$5k.

• Build a simple e‑binder structure (Cash, AR, AP, Revrec, Accruals, FA, IC, Tax).

Days 31–60: Automate

• Launch revenue schedules for top products; migrate live contracts.

• Switch on rules‑based accruals (cloud, logistics, marketing).

• Integrate e‑invoice/e‑receipt APIs; schedule weekly GL tie‑outs.

Days 61–90: Optimize

• Intercompany auto‑billing + netting; consolidate with eliminations.

• Lock depreciation/prepaid schedules; reduce manual journals.

• Roll out a close cockpit; measure KPIs; remove bottlenecks.

Controls by design (not after the fact)

• Policy → workflow: spend limits, dual approvals, and vendor onboarding live in your tools.

• Segregation of duties: maker–checker on postings and payments.

• Immutable logs: every JE, approval, and change tracked.

• Evidence at source: bank recs, match lists, revrec schedules stored automatically in the e‑binder.

KPIs your board (and auditor) will love

• Days to Close (DTC) target: ≤5 business days.

• Auto‑match rate (cash/AR/AP): >90%.

• Manual JEs per month: trending down; <25 is healthy for SMB scale.

• On‑time close rate: >95%.

• Exception aging (open recon items): <30 days.

• VAT tie‑out variance: <0.5% of period VAT.

Common pitfalls (and how to dodge them)

• Automating bad process → map the flow first; then digitize.

• Spaghetti tools → pick a backbone (ERP) and integrate outward; kill overlaps.

• Spreadsheet creep → if a sheet feeds the GL, turn it into a sub‑ledger or rule.

• “Big‑bang” revrec → pilot on one product; scale after a month.

Founder/CFO checklist (save this)

✔️ Close calendar + RACI live; owners accept task SLAs.

✔️ Bank feeds + auto‑match rules enabled; exceptions list daily.

✔️ AP OCR + PO/3‑way match rolled out; vendor master cleaned.

✔️ Revenue schedules + rules‑based accruals posting monthly.

✔️ E‑invoice/e‑receipt ↔ GL ↔ bank reconciled weekly.

✔️ Intercompany auto‑billing/netting; consolidation with eliminations.

✔️ Close cockpit + e‑binder producing audit‑ready packs.