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Fix the Monthly Close Without the Fire Drills

$199.00
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What is the Fix the Monthly Close Without course about?

Even in well-run finance teams, the monthly close becomes a recurring crisis because checklists aren’t standardized, dependencies aren’t mapped, and handoffs break when roles shift. At high-growth companies like Atlassian, where team structures evolve quickly, the close process often relies on memory and goodwill. That leads to version chaos in trackers, missed accruals, and delayed reporting. The result? Re-work, stress, and leadership.

What situation is the Fix the Monthly Close Without for?

Even in well-run finance teams, the monthly close becomes a recurring crisis because checklists aren’t standardized, dependencies aren’t mapped, and handoffs break when roles shift. At high-growth companies like Atlassian, where team structures evolve quickly, the close process often relies on memory and goodwill. That leads to version chaos in trackers, missed accruals, and delayed reporting. The result? Re-work, stress, and leadership.

Who is the Fix the Monthly Close Without course for?

Assistant Controller or senior finance manager in a high-growth tech company, responsible for the monthly close, dealing with team turnover, inconsistent documentation, and recurring last-minute issues.

Who is the Fix the Monthly Close Without course not for?

This is not for CFOs looking for strategic finance frameworks, or for staff accountants focused only on journal entries. It’s also not for teams with fully automated, audit-ready close processes already running like clockwork.

What do you take away from the Fix the Monthly Close Without course?

A standardized close checklist tailored to your org’s calendar and compliance needs A dependency map that identifies every handoff and owner , no more black holes A pre-close validation protocol that catches 90% of errors before final review A stakeholder communication plan that reduces last-minute requests and escalations A living playbook that survives team changes and onboards new members in hours.

How does this map to your situation?

When the close runs late every month When new team members slow down the process When stakeholders submit last-minute requests When errors repeat across cycles.

What's included with your purchase?

12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters) Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access 30-day money-back guarantee.

What does the Fix the Monthly Close Without cover on delivery and format?

Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access. Time investment: Approximately 3-4 hours per module, designed to be completed in parallel with your current close cycle.

Closely related courses: Fix the Monthly Close Data Fire Drill, Fix the Monthly Close Faster Without the Fire Drills, Fix the Monthly Close Without Last-Minute Fire Drills, Fix the Monthly Close Without the Last-Minute Fire Drills.

More answers: what you get with every course, refund policy, all help answers.

A tailored course, built for your situation

Fix the Monthly Close Without the Fire Drills

A step-by-step system to streamline your close process, reduce last-minute errors, and reclaim your weekends

$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning 30-day money-back guarantee Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
The monthly close still triggers last-minute scrambles, manual fixes, and weekend work , despite your team’s expertise.

The situation this course is for

Even in well-run finance teams, the monthly close becomes a recurring crisis because checklists aren’t standardized, dependencies aren’t mapped, and handoffs break when roles shift. At high-growth companies like Atlassian, where team structures evolve quickly, the close process often relies on memory and goodwill. That leads to version chaos in trackers, missed accruals, and delayed reporting. The result? Re-work, stress, and leadership questions about reliability , all fixable with a structured, documented workflow that doesn’t depend on any one person.

Who this is for

Assistant Controller or senior finance manager in a high-growth tech company, responsible for the monthly close, dealing with team turnover, inconsistent documentation, and recurring last-minute issues.

Who this is not for

This is not for CFOs looking for strategic finance frameworks, or for staff accountants focused only on journal entries. It’s also not for teams with fully automated, audit-ready close processes already running like clockwork.

What you walk away with

  • A standardized close checklist tailored to your org’s calendar and compliance needs
  • A dependency map that identifies every handoff and owner , no more black holes
  • A pre-close validation protocol that catches 90% of errors before final review
  • A stakeholder communication plan that reduces last-minute requests and escalations
  • A living playbook that survives team changes and onboards new members in hours

The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)

Module 1. Map Your Current Close Process
Document every step of your current close cycle, identify bottlenecks, and pinpoint where delays and errors consistently occur.
12 chapters in this module
  1. List all close activities
  2. Identify primary owners
  3. Track handoff points
  4. Log recurring errors
  5. Note tool dependencies
  6. Capture timeline gaps
  7. Review past close logs
  8. Classify task types
  9. Spot redundancy
  10. Flag manual steps
  11. Assess documentation
  12. Score process health
Module 2. Design the Ideal Close Workflow
Build a future-state close process that eliminates redundancy, clarifies ownership, and embeds validation checkpoints.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Define success metrics
  2. Set closure deadline
  3. Assign role-based tasks
  4. Sequence interdependencies
  5. Insert QA gates
  6. Automate reminders
  7. Standardize naming
  8. Version control plan
  9. Build escalation paths
  10. Integrate tool stack
  11. Plan for absences
  12. Stress-test timeline
Module 3. Create the Close Checklist
Turn your ideal workflow into a living, shareable checklist that ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Structure checklist phases
  2. Group by function
  3. Add completion criteria
  4. Embed documentation links
  5. Include validation steps
  6. Set due dates
  7. Assign ownership
  8. Build review layers
  9. Add notes field
  10. Enable tracking
  11. Test with team
  12. Finalize version
Module 4. Document Critical Accruals and Adjustments
Ensure recurring journal entries and estimates are pre-documented, approved, and ready to execute.
12 chapters in this module
  1. List all recurring accruals
  2. Define calculation logic
  3. Attach policy references
  4. Name data sources
  5. Identify approvers
  6. Set review cadence
  7. Log past adjustments
  8. Template journal entries
  9. Store supporting files
  10. Flag high-risk items
  11. Archive outdated rules
  12. Update quarterly
Module 5. Standardize Reconciliation Processes
Eliminate last-minute surprises by building a consistent, documented approach to account reconciliations.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Inventory all reconciled accounts
  2. Classify by frequency
  3. Define acceptable variance
  4. Assign reconcilers
  5. Set review levels
  6. Link to GL entries
  7. Embed check formulas
  8. Attach source data
  9. Note exceptions
  10. Track resolution
  11. Archive monthly
  12. Audit readiness check
Module 6. Build the Close Calendar
Align all close activities with a shared, visual timeline that coordinates cross-functional input.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Map fiscal calendar
  2. Add key deadlines
  3. Insert milestone markers
  4. Color-code by team
  5. Embed task links
  6. Set reminder triggers
  7. Publish access levels
  8. Sync with org calendar
  9. Highlight dependencies
  10. Track progress
  11. Update in real time
  12. Archive each cycle
Module 7. Automate Status Tracking
Replace manual status updates with a system that shows real-time progress without constant follow-up.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Choose tracking tool
  2. Define status codes
  3. Build dashboard view
  4. Set permissions
  5. Integrate with checklist
  6. Enable comments
  7. Automate alerts
  8. Link to calendar
  9. Export reports
  10. Train team
  11. Monitor adoption
  12. Optimize layout
Module 8. Manage Stakeholder Requests
Stop ad-hoc requests from derailing the close with a pre-defined intake and response protocol.
12 chapters in this module
  1. List common requests
  2. Define request form
  3. Set cutoff dates
  4. Assign response owners
  5. Build templates
  6. Track volume trends
  7. Communicate policy
  8. Escalate exceptions
  9. Log approvals
  10. Archive responses
  11. Review monthly
  12. Improve templates
Module 9. Conduct the Pre-Close Review
Run a structured pre-submission review to catch errors before the final sign-off.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Schedule review meeting
  2. Distribute checklist
  3. Collect open items
  4. Verify accruals
  5. Check reconciliations
  6. Review journal entries
  7. Confirm compliance
  8. Validate data sources
  9. Flag risks
  10. Assign fixes
  11. Confirm completion
  12. Document sign-off
Module 10. Run the Post-Close Retrospective
Turn each cycle into an improvement opportunity with a blameless review process.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Schedule retrospective
  2. Collect feedback
  3. List delays
  4. Note errors
  5. Identify root causes
  6. Prioritize fixes
  7. Assign actions
  8. Update playbook
  9. Share insights
  10. Track improvements
  11. Celebrate wins
  12. Archive findings
Module 11. Onboard New Team Members
Ensure new hires can contribute to the close from day one with a structured onboarding path.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Map onboarding timeline
  2. Assign buddy
  3. Provide checklist access
  4. Review key processes
  5. Explain tools
  6. Walk through accruals
  7. Practice reconciliations
  8. Simulate close
  9. Assign shadow tasks
  10. Collect feedback
  11. Adjust plan
  12. Certify readiness
Module 12. Maintain and Evolve the Playbook
Keep your close documentation current, relevant, and used across the team.
12 chapters in this module
  1. Set review cadence
  2. Assign owner
  3. Track changes
  4. Version control
  5. Update templates
  6. Refresh training
  7. Audit usage
  8. Gather feedback
  9. Align with org changes
  10. Integrate new tools
  11. Archive old versions
  12. Celebrate adoption

How this maps to your situation

  • When the close runs late every month
  • When new team members slow down the process
  • When stakeholders submit last-minute requests
  • When errors repeat across cycles

Before vs. after

Before
The monthly close is a high-stress, manual effort marked by last-minute fixes, unclear ownership, and recurring errors.
After
The close runs predictably, with standardized checklists, clear handoffs, and pre-validated steps , freeing up time and reducing risk.

What's included with your purchase

  • 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
  • Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
  • Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Delivery and format

  • Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
  • Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access

Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.

Time investment: Approximately 3-4 hours per module, designed to be completed in parallel with your current close cycle.

If nothing changes
Without a documented, repeatable close process, every cycle remains vulnerable to team changes, miscommunication, and preventable errors , eroding trust and increasing scrutiny.

How this compares to the alternatives

Generic finance courses focus on theory or compliance, not the operational mechanics of the close. Internal templates often lack structure and consistency. This course delivers a proven, step-by-step system built specifically for high-growth tech finance teams.

Frequently asked

Is this course specific to my company’s tools or ERP?
No , it’s designed to work with any tool stack. Templates are adaptable to your existing systems.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Can I use this if I’m not the Controller?
Yes , it’s built for Assistant Controllers and senior finance leads who own the close process execution.
$199 one-time. Approximately 3-4 hours per module, designed to be completed in parallel with your current close cycle..

Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.

30-day money-back guarantee· 144 chapters· Hand-built playbook included· Account access within 24 hours
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