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Financial Close Workflow

financial-close

Month-end and year-end close workflow covering journal entries, reconciliations, close procedures, and audit preparation. Delivers accurate, timely close with full audit trail.

SKILL.md

Full skill instructions

Financial Close Workflow

This skill provides a structured workflow for month-end and year-end close using the accounting-specialist agent.

Workflow Overview

The financial close workflow follows 6 phases:

PhaseNameDescription
1Pre-ClosePrepare for close, gather data
2Transaction ProcessingComplete period transactions
3ReconciliationsReconcile all accounts
4AdjustmentsPost adjusting entries
5ReviewQuality review and sign-off
6FinalizationClose period, prepare reports

Phase 1: Pre-Close

MANDATORY: Complete pre-close checklist before proceeding

Pre-Close Tasks

TaskDescription
Calendar reviewConfirm close dates
Cutoff communicationNotify stakeholders of deadlines
Open items reviewIdentify carryover items
System readinessVerify system availability

Pre-Close Checklist

ItemStatus
Prior period closedRequired
Subledgers readyRequired
Bank statements receivedRequired
Intercompany confirmedRequired
Cutoff communicatedRequired

Blocker Check

If ANY of these are missing, STOP and ask:

  • Prior period closed
  • Bank statements available
  • Key source data ready
  • System access confirmed

Phase 2: Transaction Processing

MANDATORY: Complete all period transactions

Transaction Types

TypeDescription
RevenueSales, services, other income
ExpensesOperating, non-operating
PayrollSalaries, benefits, taxes
InventoryReceipts, shipments, adjustments
Fixed AssetsAdditions, disposals, depreciation

Cutoff Procedures

AreaProcedure
RevenueReview shipments around period end
ExpensesReview invoices received post-close
PayrollConfirm payroll period alignment
InventoryPhysical count if applicable

Phase 3: Reconciliations

MANDATORY: Reconcile ALL balance sheet accounts

Agent Dispatch

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "ring:accounting-specialist"
  model: "opus"
  prompt: |
    Perform period-end reconciliations:

    **Period**: [close period]
    **Entity**: [entity name]

    **Accounts to Reconcile**:
    - Cash and bank accounts
    - Accounts receivable
    - Inventory (if applicable)
    - Prepaid expenses
    - Fixed assets
    - Accounts payable
    - Accrued expenses
    - Intercompany (if applicable)
    - Debt

    **Prior Period Workpapers**: [attached]

    **Required Output**:
    - Reconciliation for each account
    - Reconciling items identified
    - Supporting documentation
    - Sign-off status

Reconciliation Standard

ElementRequirement
GL balanceFrom trial balance
Subledger/​BankFrom supporting system
Reconciling itemsEach item explained
SupportDocumentation attached
Sign-offPreparer and reviewer

Required Reconciliations

CategoryAccounts
AssetsCash, AR, Inventory, Prepaid, Fixed Assets
LiabilitiesAP, Accruals, Debt, Intercompany
EquityRetained Earnings, Other Comprehensive Income

Phase 4: Adjustments

MANDATORY: Post all adjusting entries with documentation

Adjustment Types

TypeDescription
AccrualsExpenses incurred not yet recorded
DeferralsCash received/​paid for future periods
EstimatesReserves, allowances, impairments
CorrectionsError corrections
ReclassificationsAccount reclasses

Journal Entry Standard

ElementRequirement
Entry numberUnique identifier
DatePeriod end date
DescriptionClear rationale
AccountsDebits and credits
SupportDocumentation attached
ApprovalRequired before posting

Phase 5: Review

MANDATORY: Quality review before closing

Review Checklist

CheckValidation
Trial balance footsTotal debits = credits
All recs completeEvery account reconciled
All entries postedNo pending entries
Variances explainedMaterial changes documented
Controls completedSOX controls if applicable

Review Levels

LevelReviewerFocus
Self-reviewPreparerAccuracy, completeness
Peer reviewAnother accountantIndependent verification
Manager reviewControllerReasonableness, policy
Final reviewCFOOverall quality

Phase 6: Finalization

MANDATORY: Complete close procedures

Finalization Tasks

TaskDescription
Period lockPrevent further posting
Reports generatedTrial balance, financials
Workpapers filedDocumentation archived
Close memoSummary of significant items

Close Deliverables

DeliverableDescription
Trial BalanceFinal, adjusted
Financial StatementsIS, BS, CF
Reconciliation PackageAll reconciliations
Close MemoSummary and issues

Pressure Resistance

See shared-patterns/​pressure-resistance.md for universal pressures.

Close-Specific Pressures

Pressure TypeRequestAgent Response
"Skip that reconciliation""All accounts must be reconciled. I'll complete the reconciliation."
"Post without approval""Entries require approval before posting. I'll obtain approval."
"Close now, fix next month""Errors compound. I'll correct before close."
"Immaterial, don't worry""Materiality requires documentation. I'll document the item."

Anti-Rationalization Table

See shared-patterns/​anti-rationalization.md for universal anti-rationalizations.

Close-Specific Anti-Rationalizations

RationalizationWhy It's WRONGRequired Action
"Same entry as last month"Each period independentVERIFY current validity
"Reconciling item will clear"Items need investigationINVESTIGATE now
"Small balance, skip rec"All accounts need recRECONCILE all accounts
"Prior period was fine"Each close independentCOMPLETE all steps

Execution Report

Upon completion, report:

MetricValue
DurationXm Ys
Journal EntriesN posted
ReconciliationsN/​N complete
AdjustmentsN
Review Sign-offsN/​N
ResultCLOSED/​PARTIAL

Quality Indicators

IndicatorStatus
All accounts reconciledYES/​NO
All entries approvedYES/​NO
All reviews completeYES/​NO
Period lockedYES/​NO
Workpapers filedYES/​NO

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