The ClosePack Blog
Contrarian takes on finance, operations, and why your current tools are probably failing you. Written by Matt Brattin.
The 3 AM Roll-Forward: Why Your 'Save As' Workflow is a Time Bomb
Every month, finance teams worldwide perform the same ritual: Save As, rename, update links, pray. Here's why this workflow is unsustainable—and what to do about it.
Read more
Stop Explaining Variances with 'Timing Differences' (And Other Lies We Tell the Board)
When every variance explanation is 'timing,' you're not analyzing—you're hand-waving. Here's how to deliver variance commentary that actually means something.
Read more
Mapping Maintenance: The Silent Killer of Trust in Financial Reports
That new GL account your controller created last week? It's probably not mapped anywhere. Here's why unmapped accounts are the most dangerous blind spot in financial reporting.
Read more
Why Your 'Board Deck' is Actually a History Book (And How to Make it News)
By the time you present your board deck, the numbers are three weeks old. Here's how to shift from reporting history to delivering insight.
Read more
Excel Hell: The Distinct Panic of a #REF! Error 5 Minutes Before the Board Meeting
You know the feeling. The spreadsheet was fine yesterday. Now there's a #REF! error on the summary page and you have four minutes to figure out why.
Read more
The Last Mile Problem: Why Month-End Close Feels Like Groundhog Day
Your ERP has the data. Your team knows what to do. So why does every month-end feel like starting from scratch?
Read more
Unmapped Accounts: The $50K Surprise Hiding in Your P&L
Your P&L shows OpEx at $2.1M. Your GL shows $2.15M. Where did $50K go? It's sitting in an unmapped account, invisible and unreported.
Read more
Your ERP Isn't Broken—Your Reporting Layer Is Missing
Stop blaming NetSuite for your reporting problems. Your ERP is doing exactly what it was designed to do. The problem is expecting it to do more.
Read more
The Variance Waterfall: How to Actually Explain What Changed
A variance isn't one number—it's multiple drivers stacked on top of each other. Waterfall charts show the components. Here's how to use them.
Read more
Commentary Archives: Why You Can't Remember What You Said Last Quarter
What did you tell the board about that marketing variance in Q2? You don't know because your commentary got overwritten. Here's why that's a problem.
Read more
The Roll-Forward Ritual: A Love Letter to Finance Teams Everywhere
To every finance professional who has ever whispered 'please don't break' while opening a rolled-forward spreadsheet: this one's for you.
Read more
Bridge Charts Are Not Optional (A Manifesto)
If you're presenting variances without bridge charts, you're making stakeholders work too hard. Here's why visual variance decomposition should be mandatory.
Read more
The Presentation Layer Gap: What Your ERP Vendor Won't Tell You
Your ERP vendor promised 'robust reporting.' What they meant was 'we have a report writer.' The gap between ERP reports and stakeholder needs is your problem to solve.
Read more
Month-End Close: From 15 Days to 3 (Without Hiring Anyone)
Some teams close in 3 days. Others take 15. The difference isn't headcount—it's process. Here's what fast closers do differently.
Read more
The Hidden Cost of 'Final_v3_REAL.xlsx'
Every version suffix tells a story of broken processes. Here's what your file naming conventions reveal about your reporting maturity.
Read more
Why Fractional CFOs Are Drowning in Roll-Forwards
You have 6 clients. Each needs a monthly close package. That's 6 roll-forwards, 6 broken link fixes, 6 reporting templates. Here's why fractional CFOs have it worst.
Read more
The Board Deck Assembly Line: Manual vs. Automated
Building a board deck shouldn't feel like assembling IKEA furniture every month. Here's what the assembly line looks like—and how to streamline it.
Read more
Variance Analysis for Humans (Not Accountants)
Your board members aren't accountants. They don't think in debits and credits. Here's how to present variance analysis that actually communicates.
Read more
The Trust Problem: Why Nobody Believes Your Numbers
You've sent corrections before. Now every number carries an asterisk of doubt. Here's how to rebuild credibility in your financial reporting.
Read more
Process Drudgery: The Real Reason Finance Can't Be Strategic
Everyone says finance should be 'strategic partners.' But when 80% of your time goes to process drudgery, strategy is a luxury you can't afford.
Read more