Common Bottlenecks And Solutions

---
name: close-management-common-bottlenecks-and-solutions
description: 'Sub-skill of close-management: Common Bottlenecks and Solutions (+1).'
version: 1.0.0
category: business
type: reference
scripts_exempt: true
---

# Common Bottlenecks and Solutions (+1)

## Common Bottlenecks and Solutions


| Bottleneck | Root Cause | Solution |
|-----------|-----------|---------|
| Late AP accruals | Waiting for department spend confirmation | Implement continuous accrual estimation; set cut-off deadlines |
| Manual journal entries | Recurring entries prepared manually each month | Automate standard recurring entries in the ERP |
| Slow reconciliations | Starting from scratch each month | Implement continuous/rolling reconciliation |
| Intercompany delays | Waiting for counterparty confirmation | Automate intercompany matching; set stricter deadlines |
| Management review changes | Large adjustments found during review | Improve preliminary review process; empower team to catch issues earlier |
| Missing supporting documents | Scrambling for documentation at close | Maintain documentation throughout the month |


## Close Retrospective Questions


After each close, ask:
1. What went well this close that we should continue?
2. What took longer than expected and why?
3. What blockers did we encounter and how can we prevent them?
4. Were there any surprises in the financial results we should have caught earlier?
5. What can we automate or streamline for next month?