Value Proposition: The Head of Accounting Toolkit transforms the management of the accounting department from “individual follow-up” to an operating system: Runbook for closing, SOPs for operations, measurable KPIs, and a Control Evidence Log that details what was done, when, and by whom.

In 20 seconds: What will you get?

• Runbook for closing (Month-End) defining: tasks, responsible parties, inputs, outputs, and approval points.
• Accounting SOPs: Standard Operating Procedures for AP/AR/GL/Bank/FA (customizable).
• KPI Dashboard for the accounting department (Closing timeline, Reconciliation aging, AP cycle, AR collection…).
• Control Matrix (What do we control? How? And what is the evidence?) instead of “unrecorded” controls.
• Evidence & Sign-off Logs: Evidence log + sign-off for outputs (TB/JE/Recon) through a single approved version.
• RACI + Delegation Map: Distribution of responsibilities that reduces reliance on specific individuals.
• Issue Log: Recurring notes log (Root cause + Action) linking operations to improvement.

CTA related to outputs: Start operating the department with Runbook + KPI Dashboard + Control Matrix and Evidence/Sign-off Logs instead of verbal follow-ups.

Suitable for

• Head of Accounting taking over a department that needs closing adjustments, tasks, and indicators.
• Accounting Manager seeking a tracking system that clarifies who accomplished what and when (Evidence + Sign-off).
• Growing Company expanding the team and needing SOPs and RACI to mitigate operational risks.

Not suitable for

• Those seeking “complete accounting/IFRS policies” as an official document (this is an operational and control toolkit within the department).
• Those without a team/repetitive tasks (very small companies without a clear closing cycle will not benefit from all components).

Without the toolkit / With the toolkit (short comparison)

Before usage: 5 symptoms indicating the department is “unmanageable”

• The month-end closing is delayed because tasks are unclear and there is no timeline or owner for each item.
• Reconciliations (Bank/AR/AP) pile up without clear aging or defined responsibility.
• Adjusting entries are recorded without a JE Log or without documenting the reason/support/approval.
• There is no measurement of performance level (KPIs), so problems arise too late.
• Control relies on random reviews instead of a Control Matrix and fixed evidence.

Head of Accounting Tasks: Implementation Method (3 Steps Without Gaps)

Step 1: Define the Operating Model

• Define the department structure: functions (GL/AP/AR/FA/Payroll) and responsibilities through RACI.
• Identify the department’s key outputs: TB/Bank reconciliations/AP aging/AR aging/JE log + delivery timelines.
• Define “Approval Gates”: Who approves what and when?

Step 2: Build SOPs + Controls + Logs

• Launch an SOP Library for each process: Inputs → Steps → Outputs → Evidence.
• Launch a Control Matrix: control, objective, frequency, responsible party, and evidence.
• Launch Evidence Logs and Issue Log to record what has been done and what needs addressing (Root cause).

Step 3: Closing + KPIs + Continuous Improvement

• Run the Month-End Runbook every cycle: closing items sequentially and confirming the approved version.
• Update the KPI Dashboard monthly and highlight performance deviations (e.g., Reconciliation aging or closing delays).
• Transform the Issue Log into a monthly improvement plan (Action owners + deadlines).

Components of the Toolkit (Clear Inventory)

1. Accounting Operating Model + RACI
   • Practical Purpose: Define roles and responsibilities of the department and close gaps of “who does what?”.
   • When to Use: When establishing or restructuring the team + quarterly review.
   • Resulting Evidence: RACI matrix + Delegation map + department output schedule.
2. Month-End Runbook (Closing Timeline)
   • Practical Purpose: Runbook defining closing tasks, their order, inputs, outputs, and approval gate.
   • When to Use: Monthly + expansion at Year-End.
   • Resulting Evidence: Complete Runbook + completion date for each item + Sign-off.
3. SOP Library (AP/AR/GL/Bank/FA)
   • Practical Purpose: Standardize execution: clear steps + required Evidence + review points.
   • When to Use: Daily in operations + review when changing systems/policies.
   • Resulting Evidence: Approved SOPs + Checkpoints for each process.
4. KPI Dashboard + Definitions
   • Practical Purpose: Measurable indicators for the accounting department: closing, reconciliations, AP/AR cycles, quality of entries.
   • When to Use: Monthly/Weekly depending on the indicator.
   • Resulting Evidence: KPI dashboard + definitions (Definition sheet) preventing measurement discrepancies.
5. Control Matrix (Key Controls + Evidence)
   • Practical Purpose: Control management: control, objective, responsible party, frequency, and required evidence.
   • When to Use: Continuous operation + review upon change (system/team/processes).
   • Resulting Evidence: Control matrix + Evidence requirements + completion testing.
6. Evidence Logs + JE Log + Reconciliation Aging
   • Practical Purpose: A unified log proving the completion of reconciliations and adjusting entries and showing overdue items.
   • When to Use: Weekly/Monthly as part of follow-up and closing.
   • Resulting Evidence: Evidence log + JE log + Aging report for reconciliations.
7. Issue Log + Root Cause Tracker
   • Practical Purpose: Transform monthly issues into a single log: root cause + action + responsible party + closure date.
   • When to Use: Monthly after closing + weekly follow-up on open cases.
   • Resulting Evidence: Issue log with closure status + impact of improvement on KPI.
8. Department Handover Pack (for internal handover)
   • Practical Purpose: An internal handover file ready when team members change or upon management/request review.
   • When to Use: When changing teams/handover tasks + quarterly update.
   • Resulting Evidence: Handover index + links/references to key files + authorities/Owners.

You will use it to launch Runbook + SOPs + KPIs + Control Matrix and Evidence logs managed monthly.

What should be included in the delivery?

• 01-Operating Model: RACI + Delegation map + department output schedule + approval points.
• 02-Runbook: Month-End runbook + Timeline + definition of “done” for each item + Sign-off.
• 03-SOPs: AP/AR/GL/Bank/FA/Payroll procedure library with Inputs/Outputs/Evidence.
• 04-KPIs: KPI dashboard + Definition sheet + method for updating indicators (data sources).
• 05-Controls: Control matrix + Evidence requirements + control completion testing template.
• 06-Logs: Evidence logs + JE log + Reconciliation aging + tracking templates.
• 07-Issues: Issue log + Root cause tracker + monthly closure plan.
• 08-Handover: Department handover pack + index of files and authorities and responsibilities.
• 09-Sign-off: Sign-off page for the “operating version” (date/version/who approved) to establish reference.

After implementation (only two points)

• Operational outcome for the team: The closing cycle becomes predictable: clear Runbook + Owners + Gates, and rework decreases because “done” is defined for each item.
• Control/Review outcome: Evidence is present and indexed: reconciliation/entry/approval can be traced within Logs instead of relying on correspondence or personal files.

FAQ — Questions Before Purchase

Is the toolkit suitable for any ERP?

Yes. It relies on the operation of the department (Runbook/SOPs/KPIs/Controls) rather than the system name. You only need available TB/GL reports and AP/AR and Bank data.

Is it suitable for a small or large department?

Yes, but the greatest value is realized when there is a team and repetitive tasks with monthly closing. For a small department, a shortened version can be applied (Runbook + Logs + basic KPIs).

Does it include JE Log and Reconciliations?

Yes, within Logs: JE log + Reconciliation aging + Evidence logs to establish Traceability.

Does it include ready KPIs?

Yes, within the Dashboard with a Definition sheet, and indicators can be customized according to your closing cycle (e.g., DSO/DPO/days to close/recon aging).

Does it replace internal audit?

No. However, it facilitates its work by providing a Control matrix and implementation evidence (Evidence) and approval logs that can be examined.

What is the minimum input required for implementation?

Department structure (functions/responsibilities) + current closing cycle + available reports (TB/GL/Bank/AP/AR). Then the templates are gradually filled in the first two months.

Is it suitable for preparing the department before an external audit?

Yes, as operational readiness: Runbook + Evidence logs + Control matrix + internal Closing pack, making audit requests less random.

Is there a “handover” template when changing employees?

Yes. The Department Handover Pack is used to hand over tasks, files, references, and authorities.

Ready to transform accounting management into a traceable operating system?

Outputs: Runbook + SOPs + KPI Dashboard + Control Matrix + Logs and implementation evidence (Evidence) ready for examination.