The situation
As diverse as the industries are,
as diverse are the categorizations
of responsibilities in the
Accounting & Finance departments.
Trying to get some order in place it makes sense to look
for some of the dimensions that have to be satisfied.
Time dimension:
It makes sense in
this respect to distinguish the activities as follows:
Reflection of past activities (past & current fiscal period)
= Accounting
Reflection of Future activities (next
fiscal period) = Planning
Reflection of current
activities (current fiscal period) =
Forecasting
Topic dimension:
Cash & payment
activities = Treasury
Recording of activities =
Accounting
Guidance & Analysis =
Controlling
Reporting
& Information = Management Accounting/Reporting
Planning & Forecasting
There is more to planning and Forecasting then it meets
the eye. The differences and communalities need to be
understood. The underlying Product / Report structure needs
to be recognized as root cause for much of the complexity a
support tool needs to be able to fulfil.
Controlling
 Guiding by information. Controlling is complex and
versatile. It addresses Identification and documentation, Planning and Advice,
specifications, Guidance and Monitoring activities. It
ensures operational an performance focused success.
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Management Accounting / Reporting
 Providing information for
executive decision making and
clarification. Management Accounting
/ Reporting is an interface for
executives to operational
controlling, Accounting and
reporting. It is a vital function if
operational details are getting too
complex.
Project Management
 Getting your Projects right is
essential for business
success, yet often Project are not
understood as areas which have to be
managed equally important to general
management. In essence Projects are
in many aspects similar to overall
businesses, but they need a special
kind of management:
Project management - A discipline
which can be tailored to fit any
size and type of Projects.
Solution
There is no "one" right way in
addressing these topics, but there is "your" right way of
addressing it.
A suit must
fit and the best way of achieving
this is to go to a tailor who custom
fits it for you.
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