AI in Financial Reporting: “Not quite there yet”

AI in Financial Reporting

AI: Are we there yet?​ Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been hailed as a panacea for various industries, promising revolutionary advancements in efficiency and accuracy. One area that has attracted considerable attention is financial reporting. Proponents of AI in finance argue that it can automate mundane tasks, detect fraud, and provide real-time insights. Despite AI hype, skeptics doubt its current capacity to revolutionize financial reporting. This article discusses limitations, challenges hindering mass AI adoption, yet anticipates a bright future in this critical domain. Data Quality and Reliability One major stumbling block for AI in financial reporting lies in the quality and reliability of the underlying data. AI algorithms heavily rely on vast amounts of accurate and consistent data to generate meaningful insights. In the realm of finance, data integrity is paramount. Complex, unstructured financial data poses challenges for accurate interpretation by AI systems. Minor discrepancies can heavily impact AI outputs, causing flawed financial reports and unreliable insights. Interpretation and Contextual Understanding AI systems excel at pattern recognition and statistical analysis, but they often struggle with contextual understanding and interpretation. Financial reporting requires a deep understanding of complex accounting principles, industry-specific regulations, and nuanced financial analysis. AI’s rapid data processing contrasts its inability to understand financial context, limiting accurate and insightful reports. Human expertise and judgment are still necessary to ensure proper interpretation and application of financial data. Lack of Accountability and Responsibility When it comes to financial reporting, accountability and responsibility are critical. However, AI algorithms often operate as black boxes, making it challenging to trace the decision-making process and assign accountability. AI-generated reports lacking transparency may evoke mistrust and raise regulatory concerns. Stakeholders, including auditors and regulators, require a clear understanding of the methodologies employed by AI systems, which currently remain elusive. Regulatory Compliance and Ethical Concerns Adhering to regulations and ethics maintains transparency and trust in financial reporting. However, AI’s lack of ethical reasoning and potential biases pose significant risks. Biased or non-diverse training data can skew outcomes in AI-generated reports. Lack of specific AI regulations in financial reporting heightens concerns, allowing potential misuse. Adaptability and Flexibility Financial reporting requirements evolve continuously, driven by changing regulations and industry practices. AI systems, on the other hand, often struggle with adaptability and flexibility. They are typically trained on historical data and struggle to incorporate new rules or regulations without extensive retraining. This lack of agility makes AI ill-suited to keep pace with the dynamic nature of financial reporting. Human professionals, with their ability to adapt and learn, continue to play a vital role in navigating complex reporting requirements. The Case for AI: Challenges of Financial Reporting in the last 20 years Despite challenges, considering global commerce changes, AI’s future role in efficient financial reporting seems promising. In the last two decades, global producers aimed for efficiency via just-in-time production and cost-effective labor markets. This approach has had a significant impact on global supply chains. Traditional suppliers adapted by establishing distributed operations near customers, creating or acquiring local subsidiaries. As a result, organizational structures have become more complex, especially for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Parent companies invested in systems managing global-scale distributed operations and remote administrative processes. These solutions streamline processes but lack comprehensive financial management for complex global reporting compliance. Localized legacy systems lack global accounting functionality, hindering accurate reports for the parent organization. Struggling with evolving local requirements, systems heavily rely on manual processes and spreadsheets. Limitations cause delays in critical information delivery, increasing decision-making risks for global companies. Where we are right now? Cloud tech offers a chance to build reliable global financial reporting using validated data from existing ERP systems. These solutions consolidate diverse system data unlike traditional ERP vendors and systems. Crucially, no modifications to source systems protect significant ERP investments at each customer facility. The foundation for useful AI Intuitive accounting hubs foster an environment for AI to offer substantial value. Systems aggregate and map data to central templates, enhancing report quality and reliability for manual and AI-generated reports. Consistent data aids meaningful interpretation, offering contextual understanding through a level reporting field. Transaction-level data offers complete auditability, enhancing accountability and facilitating clearer responsibility allocation.  Detail-rich data lays a strong foundation for ESG reporting, potentially leveraging AI for added value. The “bridge”  before we go Full AI Human expertise remains crucial for accurate, reliable, and ethical financial reporting. AI in financial reporting necessitates human input for usefulness and likely to support initial analysis, necessitating human review. With increasing user experience, reliance on AI for ‘correct’ data and reduced need for interpretation is anticipated. The future will reveal AI’s capacity to adapt to changes and deliver high-quality output independently. Your Next Steps…. 💡Click here to reduce time spent on period-end reporting 🔋Click here if you wish to solve 25+ Spreadsheet reporting issues 🔆 Click here to improve the accuracy and usability of generated reports 💯 Click here to decrease risk by providing on-demand access to the transaction detail behind every reported balance ☎️ Book a free, no-obligation walkthrough with Mondial to see how we can help you in financial reporting and consolidations just like one of our successful clients.

Mondial/aclaros enrich Financial Reporting in Mid-Market ERP

Mondial/aclaros enrich Financial Reporting in Mid-Market ERP

Accelerate Financial Reporting for Mid Markets BEDFORD, New Hampshire, June 15, 2023. Mondial Software and Aclaros partnered to advance financial reporting for mid-market companies, including SAP Business One users. The collaboration supports Mondial’s global financial reporting platform for multinational companies requiring unified management, group, and statutory reporting. The Partnership Value “Mondial’s product offers great value for companies who need consolidations and complex financial reporting”, said L. Bertus Jacobs, Managing Partner of aclaros. “Mondial meets the needs of businesses operating multiple entities or in multiple countries who need consolidated financials. It integrates seamlessly with SAP Business One and various ERPs, easing multi-currency conversion and spreadsheet consolidation.”” “We’re delighted to be partnering with Aclaros, an SAP Platinum Partner and one of the leading SAP Business One Partners serving small and mid-sized businesses globally”, said Mondial’s CEO Mark Richardson. “Aclaros has a long track-record working with organizations to help them implement and get the most out of their ERP solutions – wherever they do business.  Their understanding of the complex financial reporting and compliance needs of global companies makes them an excellent match for our firm.”    About Mondial Software Mondial Software is a global provider of cloud-based tools for multi-ERP financial reporting and consolidations. Founded by experienced accounting professionals with global ERP backgrounds, Mondial serves a worldwide customer base. For more information, visit http://www.https://mondialsoftware.com. About aclaros Aclaros is a leading systems integration and management consulting company with offices in Canada, the United States.  Its experienced team enables customers to realize their vision by leveraging the world’s leading on-premises and cloud-based business applications. It specializes in various SAP Business One versions and modules, serving diverse industries like distribution, manufacturing, retail, and services.  Aclaros is a member of the United Vars alliance and an SAP Platinum Partner. For more information, visit https://aclaros.com/. Your next steps… 💡Click here to reduce time spent on period-end reporting 🔋Click here if you wish to solve 25+ Spreadsheet reporting issues 🔆 Click here to improve the accuracy and usability of generated reports 💯 Click here to decrease risk by providing on-demand access to the transaction detail behind every reported balance ☎️ Book a free, no-obligation walkthrough with Mondial to see how we can help you in financial reporting and consolidations just like one of our successful clients.

Takeaways SAP Partner Summit for Small to Midsize Enterprise

Key Takeaways from the SAP Partner Summit for Small to Midsize Enterprise

Key Takeaways and Learnings: Mondial Software participated in the recent 2023 SAP Partner Partner Summit for Small to Mid-Sized Enterprise (SME). At the event, we engaged with SAP, learning their vision, and shared Mondial’s developments.” In 2023, SAP Partner Summit was esteemed, a must-attend for SAP’s SME-focused partners delivering solutions. The summit delved into SAP S/4 HANA Public Cloud, Business One, and Business ByDesign advancements. Furthermore, it facilitated discussions on harnessing the power of the SAP Business Technology Platform to accelerate cloud innovations. The SAP Partner Summit provided Mondial with several key takeaways and learnings: Continuous Innovation: To thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape, businesses must embrace a culture of continuous innovation. SAP’s solutions offer the necessary tools and platforms to foster innovation and drive growth. Cloud Adoption: The cloud has become an essential enabler for businesses seeking scalability, agility, and cost-efficiency. Utilizing SAP S/4 HANA Public Cloud and Business One empowers Mondial’s clients with real-time insights for efficiency. Collaboration and Networking: At the summit, emphasis on collaboration within the SAP ecosystem fosters innovation and valuable partnerships for SAP B1 users. Customer-Centric Approach: SAP’s focus on tailoring the summit agenda to each role underscores the importance of a customer-centric approach. Mondial aligns solutions to meet unique client needs, ensuring success and satisfaction. Relevance Through active participation in the SAP Partner Summit, Mondial and other partners stayed updated on trends, enhancing expertise. This allowed us to showcase our integrated solutions within the SAP B1 environment. Additionally, the event served as a collaborative platform, fostering interactions, networking, and strengthening partnerships within the SAP ecosystem. Moreover, SAP’s commitment to SAP Business One as a primary web client aligns with Mondial’s vision. With the ability to launch Mondial directly from the SAP Business One Web Client, seamless integration with various ERP products, both SAP and non-SAP, is now feasible. Moving forwards: The SME SAP Partner Summit transformed Mondial Software and other businesses toward growth, innovation, and sustainability. Summit participation granted Mondial insights into ERP advancements, cloud innovations, and SAP’s future vision. The event affirmed our dedication to enabling businesses with 100x faster, accurate financial reporting and consolidation. Your next steps 💡Click here to reduce time spent on period-end reporting 🔋Click here if you wish to solve 25+ Spreadsheet reporting issues 🔆 Click here to improve the accuracy and usability of generated reports 💯 Click here to decrease risk by providing on-demand access to the transaction detail behind every reported balance ☎️ Book a free, no-obligation walkthrough with Mondial to see how we can help you in financial reporting and consolidations just like one of our successful clients.

How to Fix Common Charts of Accounts Challenges in Financial Reporting

How to Fix Common Chart of Accounts Challenges

The Charts of Accounts Mystery. The charts of accounts (COA) is a fundamental tool used in financial reporting, additionally serving as a vital component of an organization’s accounting system. It provides the necessary structure and organization for the systematic classification and recording of financial transactions. In essence, the COA acts as a roadmap, guiding finance and accounting teams in categorizing and classifying these transactions into relevant accounts. This article gives us rundown on how to fix common charts of accounts challenges. Each account within the COA represents a unique element of an organization’s financial position, such as assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. By assigning specific codes or numbers to these accounts, the COA consequently enables the efficient tracking and analysis of financial data. It serves as a standardized framework that facilitates the preparation of financial statements, including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Your COA, why it’s important? The significance of the COA in financial reporting cannot be overstated. It provides a common language for finance professionals, also ensuring consistent and accurate recording and reporting of financial information. The COA facilitates the aggregation of financial data, enabling stakeholders to gain insights into an organization’s financial performance, make informed decisions, and comply with regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the COA allows for the customization and tailoring of financial reports to meet specific reporting needs. It enables the segmentation of financial information by departments, cost centers, geographical locations, or any other relevant categories, providing management with valuable insights for strategic decision-making. Oftentimes, Finance and Accounting Teams wrestle with the COA Despite its critical role, finance and accounting teams often encounter challenges when working with the COA. These challenges can arise from issues such as inconsistent account structures, insufficient granularity, complex account numbering schemes, inadequate account descriptions, and a lack of alignment with business operations. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure accurate and reliable financial reporting. Above all, to streamline processes, and enhance the effectiveness of finance and accounting teams. Inconsistent account structure within the Chart of Accounts (COA) A common challenge in financial reporting is an inconsistent account structure within the charts of accounts (COA). This occurs when there is a lack of standardized organization, resulting in confusion and discrepancies when categorizing financial transactions. Inconsistent account structures can manifest in various ways, such as varying levels of account granularity, conflicting naming conventions, or different hierarchies across departments or business units. For example, imagine a multinational corporation with multiple subsidiaries and divisions. Each division may have developed its own account structure independently, resulting in differences in the numbering system, account descriptions, and hierarchical relationships. One division might categorize expenses by cost centers, while another division uses a different method based on product lines. All things considered, inconsistency creates challenges when trying to consolidate financial data, analyze trends, or compare performance across divisions. It leads to confusion, delays, and potential errors in financial reporting. Impact worth taking a look at… The impact of an inconsistent account structure can be significant. Albeit it hampers the ability to generate accurate and meaningful financial reports, as the data from different departments or divisions cannot be easily aggregated or compared. It makes it difficult to identify and track specific transactions or understand their context within the organization’s operations. Inconsistent account structures also increase the risk of misclassification and misinterpretation of financial data, potentially leading to errors in financial statements and regulatory compliance. How to Fix Inconsistent account structure within the charts of accounts (COA)? Start by conducting a comprehensive review of the COA’s structure and hierarchy. Engage key stakeholders, including finance, accounting, and operational teams, to ensure alignment with business operations. Establish clear guidelines for account numbering, naming conventions, and hierarchical structure. Regularly communicate and educate the finance team on the COA structure to maintain consistency. Implement periodic reviews and updates to accommodate any changes in the organization’s structure or reporting requirements after that. Lack of Detailed Granularity Insufficient detail within the charts of accounts (COA) can present significant challenges for finance and accounting teams when analyzing specific transactions and generating accurate financial reports. When the COA lacks the necessary granularity, it becomes difficult to gain meaningful insights from the financial data, hindering decision-making processes and compromising the reliability of financial reporting. Insufficient detail in the COA can manifest in various ways. For example, the COA may lack specific accounts to capture transaction details that are crucial for analysis or reporting purposes. This could include accounts for specific product lines, geographical regions, cost centers, or other relevant categories. Without these detailed accounts, it becomes challenging to track and analyze the financial performance of different segments of the business. Consider an example of a retail company with multiple store locations. If the COA does not include separate accounts for each store, the company would struggle to evaluate the individual financial performance of each location. This lack of granularity both would impede the identification of underperforming stores or the assessment of the impact of regional factors on profitability.   Far reaching consequences The impact of insufficient detail within the COA can be far-reaching. It hampers the ability to perform in-depth analysis, hindering the identification of trends, patterns, and outliers within the financial data. This, in turn, limits the effectiveness of decision-making processes and may lead to missed opportunities or ineffective resource allocation. Additionally, it can result in the misrepresentation of financial information in reports, potentially leading to inaccuracies, misleading insights, and regulatory compliance issues. How to fix lack of detailed granularity in your COA? Analyze the reporting requirements and business operations to identify areas where additional granularity is needed. Collaborate with stakeholders to not only understand their information needs but also to incorporate those requirements into the COA. Consider expanding account codes to capture more specific transaction details. Regularly review and update the COA to ensure it aligns with evolving reporting needs and industry best practices. Overcomplicated Account Numbering Overcomplicated account numbering within the charts of accounts (COA) can significantly impede efficient financial reporting. This challenge arises when

Mondial goes to the 2023 SAP Partner Summit for SME!

SAP Partner Summit for SME with Mondial

We’ll be in Vienna and Panama City Mondial will be in attendance at the 2023 SAP Partner Partner Summit for SME in both Panama City and Vienna to network with SAP Partners and spread the news about Mondial.   The upcoming SAP Partner Summit for SMEs in 2023 is a highly recommended event for SAP’s esteemed partners. These are partners who specialize in offering SAP solutions to small and midsize businesses. This summit provides an excellent opportunity for partners to gain insights into the latest developments in SAP Business One and SAP Business ByDesign. Moreover, It also offers valuable information on leveraging the SAP Business Technology Platform to accelerate cloud innovations. In addition this summit showcases how to prioritize SAP S/4HANA Cloud in their cloud growth strategies. By attending the SAP Partner Summit, partners can stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices, expand their knowledge base, and enhance their ability to deliver exceptional solutions to their clients. SAP Partner Summit for SME is where we unveil our powerful yet affordable reporting solution Mondial works great for SAP Business One, ByDesign or S/4 HANA customers. When Industrial Battery Products (IBP) wanted timely, dependable financial reporting that would work seamlessly with SAP Business One, they turned to Mondial Software. Mondial is perfect for those enterprises with an ecosystem using multiple ERPs. Mondial also works well on those who have complex consolidations or financial reporting needs. Above all, Mondial can handle disparate charts of accounts, multiple currencies and even multiple year ends. Modern cloud technology with drill down to detailed line level transactions, automated eliminations, combined with a powerful yet simple report writer makes Mondial the ultimate tool for financial compliance reporting. Mondial is easy to use, affordable and powerful. SAP Partner Summit for SME May 23rd to 25th, 2023 in Panama This premier event will be held at the spectacular Panama Convention Center (PCC)/ This boasts the largest and most advanced technology among convention centers in the region. The Panama Convention Center (PCC) is conveniently located near several notable tourist attractions in Panama City. Visitors can explore the Panama Canal Museum and learn about the history and significance of the iconic waterway. Most importantly, for nature enthusiasts, the Metropolitan Natural Park is a great spot for hiking and birdwatching. The Biomuseo is also nearby, featuring fascinating exhibits on Panama’s biodiversity and ecology. Food lovers can enjoy the local cuisine and nightlife in the Casco Viejo district, a historic area filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. With so many things to see and do, attendees of the SAP Partner Summit for SMEs at the PCC can enjoy a well-rounded trip to Panama City. SAP Partner Summit for SME June 13th – 15th, 2023 in Vienna The Austria Center Vienna, the venue for the SAP Partner Summit for SME 2023, is located near many exciting tourist attractions. Attendees can take a stroll to the captivating historic old town, which is only a seven-minute ride away by underground. Incidentally, The city is also home to many world-famous landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Schönbrunn Palace. Culture enthusiasts can visit the renowned Vienna State Opera or explore the impressive Museum of Fine Arts. For those who enjoy nature, the Donaupark offers a serene escape with lush greenery and stunning views of the Danube River. With so many options, attendees can make the most of their free time in Vienna during the SAP Partner Summit for SME 2023. Register and Meet us There at the Summit Register here for the Panama City Leg. Alternatively, you can also meet up with or our Head of Partnerships, Gary Feldman. Give him a call at +1-404-406-4276 or email at gary.feldman@https://mondialsoftware.com. Register here for the Vienna Leg. Likewise, you can also meet up with or our Chief Growth Officer Jurgen Dauk. Give him a call at +49-1511-6125-170 or email at jurgen.dauk@https://mondialsoftware.com.  

Why Technical Professionals Struggle with People Skills?

Why Technical Professionals Struggle with People Skills?

Technical professionals often have specialized knowledge and use terminology that can be difficult for non-technical team members to understand. This can lead to miscommunication, misunderstandings, and a lack of clarity about project requirements, goals, and timelines.

Mondial and Cumulus: Global Financial Reporting Boost

Manufacturing Financial Reporting

BEDFORD, New Hampshire, March 27, 2023.  Mondial Software and Cumulus Consulting today announced a new partnership to enhance financial reporting for manufacturers. This includes users of the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform from Rockwell Automation, which Cumulus has been a specialist in for many years. The two businesses will work together to support Mondial’s global financial reporting and compliance software platform. The platform works primarily for enterprise companies with distributed operations. These are companies who need a single system for management, group, and statutory financial reporting.   “Mondial’s product offers great value for any manufacturer”, said David Chidsey, President and Managing Partner of Cumulus. “Especially for businesses operating multiple entities or in multiple countries who need consolidated financials and local statutory financial reports. Doesn’t matter if they use a single solution like Plex across their entire enterprise, or have a mixture of ERP systems. Definitely, Mondial eliminates much of the manual effort these companies usually face”. “We’re delighted to be partnering with Cumulus”, said Mondial’s CEO Mark Richardson. “We already support a range of Plex customers. The value of partnering with a well-respected firm that understands the dynamics of the market cannot be overstated. Cumulus has deep domain expertise in ERP, manufacturing, and providing training, implementation, and project management services. We see this relationship as offering a winning combination.” The combination of these strengths ensure to enhance financial reporting for manufacturers globally. About Mondial Software Mondial Software is a global provider of cloud-based tools for multi-ERP financial reporting and consolidations. Founded by a team of experienced accounting professionals who works across the global ERP software sector, Mondial serves customers worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.https://mondialsoftware.com. About Cumulus Consulting Cumulus was founded with a vision of fundamentally improving the way companies use innovative technology. The goal is to always develop mission-critical business applications. With deep roots in manufacturing, technology, and cloud ERP & MES systems, Cumulus has been successfully helping clients with digital transformations for over a decade. Cumulus has been steadily growing by at least 50% annually. For more information, visit http://www.cumulus-erp.com. Your Next Steps… 💡Click here to reduce time spent on period-end reporting 🔋Click here if you wish to solve 25+ Spreadsheet reporting issues 🔆 Click here to improve the accuracy and usability of generated reports 💯 Click here to decrease risk by providing on-demand access to the transaction detail behind every reported balance ☎️ Book a free, no-obligation walkthrough with Mondial to see how we can help you in financial reporting and consolidations just like one of our successful clients.

Glossary of Finance and Accounting terms

Businesses operating multiple entities in multiple countries

In the world of finance and accounting, it’s essential to have a strong understanding of the terminology used to communicate complex concepts. That’s why a comprehensive glossary of finance and accounting terms is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to navigate the financial world with confidence. From understanding basic concepts like profit and loss to more complex financial ratios and statements, having a clear understanding of these terms can be the key to success in both personal and professional financial management.