The challenge

The month-end close is still too manual

In many finance teams, closing the books still means spreadsheets, email chains and late nights. Manual processes slow reporting, increase the risk of errors and leave little time for the analysis the business actually needs.

A manual close
  • Reconciliations prepared and checked in spreadsheets
  • Close tasks tracked by email and checklists
  • Limited visibility of progress until the end
  • Audit evidence gathered after the fact
An automated close with BlackLine
  • Reconciliations and matching automated, with exceptions flagged
  • Every close task assigned, tracked and signed off in one place
  • Real-time view of close status across entities
  • A complete, auditable record built as you work

RSM and BlackLine

A cloud platform for modern finance

RSM has partnered with BlackLine, a provider of cloud-based software that automates financial close and accounting processes for mid-sized and large organisations around the world.

BlackLine brings together tightly integrated applications on a single platform, with embedded AI capabilities. It connects securely with a wide range of ERP systems and exchanges data in both directions, so your ERP stays the system of record while BlackLine automates and controls the close.

4,300+ organisations across multiple industries use BlackLine

Source: BlackLine, full-year 2025 results

What BlackLine automates

Key finance processes on one platform

Account reconciliations

Standardise and automate balance sheet reconciliations, with built-in review and approval.

Close management

Plan, assign and monitor every close task, with clear ownership and deadlines.

Transaction matching

Match high volumes of transactions automatically and focus your team on the exceptions.

Journal entries

Create, review and post journals with controls and a full audit trail.

Intercompany accounting

Manage and settle intercompany transactions across entities with fewer disputes.

Variance analysis

Spot significant balance movements automatically and document the explanations for review.

Controls and compliance

Document, test and monitor your financial controls in one place, ready for internal and external audit.

Invoice-to-cash

Automate cash application and collections to speed up payments and improve cash flow.

ERP integration

Move data securely between your ERP and BlackLine in both directions.

AI for finance

Trusted AI, built into your close

BlackLine's Verity AI is designed specifically for finance and accounting, with transparency and auditability at its core. It works alongside your team: AI does the heavy lifting, and your people review, approve and stay in control.

We help you adopt AI with the governance auditors expect, so every AI-assisted step is traceable and controlled.

Human in the loop AI prepares, flags and explains. Your team decides.

Spot anomalies early

Monitor financial data continuously to flag unusual or high-risk transactions before they reach your reports.

Explain variances automatically

Highlight significant balance movements and generate explanations, cutting hours from flux analysis.

Draft commentary faster

Produce first drafts of financial narratives for your team to review and refine.

Built for the region

Ready for groups operating across the GCC

Multi-entity, multi-currency

Bring UAE, KSA and wider regional entities into one standardised, controlled close.

Local cloud in Saudi Arabia

BlackLine launched a Saudi-hosted cloud region in December 2025, helping groups with KSA operations keep data in the Kingdom.

Works with your ERP

BlackLine is ERP-agnostic and also available as an SAP Solution Extension, so it fits the systems you already run.

Is it right for you?

When finance teams typically make the move

  • Your close takes too long, or reporting deadlines are tightening
  • You are adding entities, acquisitions or new markets
  • You are implementing, upgrading or consolidating your ERP
  • Auditors have raised findings on reconciliations or controls
  • You are preparing for an IPO, a sale or investor reporting
  • Your team spends more time preparing numbers than analysing them

The results

What finance teams gain

A faster close

Automation removes repetitive work, so you report sooner.

Fewer errors

Standard, automated processes reduce manual mistakes and the chance of misstatement.

Stronger controls, lower risk

Consistent controls and segregation of duties are built into every step.

Audit-ready records

Evidence and approvals are captured as work happens, not gathered at year-end.

Real-time visibility

See close progress and balances across every entity as the work happens.

More time for analysis

Your team shifts from processing transactions to advising the business.

Growth without extra headcount

Absorb new entities, markets and transaction volumes without growing the team at the same pace.

Better cash flow

Faster cash application and collections bring money in sooner.

Confidence in the numbers

Leadership, auditors and investors can rely on the figures you report.

Why RSM

Implementation that delivers value

Customer value
  • Strategic alliance partner of BlackLine
  • Independent, objective advice focused on your needs
  • Process first, then technology: we improve how your close works before we automate it
Accelerators
  • Leading practices built into every deployment
  • A proven implementation methodology
  • A ready-made toolkit of deliverables and accelerators
  • An ROI calculator to estimate your potential return before you invest

Our approach

From business case to go-live

Assess

We review your current close and use our ROI calculator to build the business case.

Design

We redesign your processes and controls around leading practice.

Implement

We configure BlackLine, connect it to your ERP and support your people through the change, so the new way of working sticks.

Optimise

We help you extend automation and keep improving after go-live.

FAQs

Common questions about BlackLine

Does BlackLine replace our ERP?

No. BlackLine works alongside your ERP. Your ERP remains the system of record, while BlackLine automates and controls the close and related accounting processes.

Is BlackLine only for large companies?

No. BlackLine serves both mid-sized and large organisations. The value comes from the volume and complexity of your close, such as the number of accounts, entities and transactions.

How do we know whether it is worth the investment?

We start with an assessment of your current close and use our ROI calculator to estimate your potential return, so you can make the decision with clear numbers.

Can we trust AI with our financial close?

BlackLine's AI is built for finance, with auditability as a core design principle. It prepares, flags and explains, while your team reviews and approves. We help you set up the controls and governance so every AI-assisted step is traceable.

We have entities in Saudi Arabia. Where is our data hosted?

BlackLine offers a cloud region hosted in Saudi Arabia, which helps groups with KSA operations keep data in the Kingdom. We can help you choose the right hosting set-up for each part of your group.

Why implement with RSM?

As a strategic alliance partner of BlackLine, we combine product knowledge with finance and controls expertise. We improve your processes first, so automation delivers lasting results.

See what an automated close could do for you

Talk to our team about your current close and what BlackLine could deliver for your business.

Talk to Our Expert  Email  GRC-inquiry@rsm.ae

Contact us

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