CenterPoint Energy Inc. will describe how BlackLine’s SAP Financial Close solution helped free up accounting and finance teams from manual transactions to focus more on analytics in a session set for the SAP for Utilities, Presented by ASUG conference. More information on the San Diego event can be found https://www.asug.com/events/sap-for-utilities-presented-by-asug.
Chris Wood, Director of Accounting Projects at Houston-based CenterPoint Energy, and Joanna Richardville, Director of Financial Systems and Process, recently offered a preview of their remarks via email. Wood said attendees will learn how BlackLine transformed key tasks, such as reconciliations, matching, and journal entries, as well as lessons learned during the process.
Finance Departments Face New Challenges
CenterPoint Energy is among organizations challenged with talent gaps—through retirement or attrition—finding ways to better leverage existing teams. Wood believes utility companies sometimes underutilize existing technology.
Both speakers indicated their session will highlight the importance of engaging multiple stakeholders across the organization.
“Transformational changes require ownership at all levels,” Wood said. He also emphasizes that cross-training is a required component within finance and accounting organizations to build and retain a workforce with an enterprise mindset.