Standardizing the Close and Strengthening Controls Across Six Continents
HARMAN designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions, and connected services.
The Challenge
For more than 45 years, HARMAN International has been known for innovation in creating connected audio and visual experiences.
Applying this same spirit of innovation to the company’s “disaggregated” accounting processes was a logical next step, says Todd Holtman, senior director, Global Process Owner Record-to-Report, at HARMAN.
“We operate across six continents. But there were a lot of pain points. Our systems were very disaggregated. From a close perspective, our reconciliations process and our journal entry process were not homogenous across the company.”
Why BlackLine
Holtman had a vision of creating “one HARMAN” across accounting and finance. “We knew we could bring everything together and create one process through automation and improved systems.”
Taking a closer look at the pain points led the team to BlackLine.
“We spend a significant amount of money on systems like SAP. Why wouldn’t we spend on solutions that give us efficiency and visibility, like BlackLine?” says Holtman. “Once leadership saw what BlackLine could do, they were very excited to have all that information at their fingertips.”
Holtman wishes they had implemented BlackLine sooner.
“I didn’t fully understand what Blackline had to offer until we started using it. A lot of times you hear the sales pitches and wonder what’s really true. But everything that BlackLine pitched to us came to fruition.”
The Results
Strengthened controls and standardized processes. With BlackLine, HARMAN has created a unified, consistent close process across six continents.
“Our standardization is much more robust than it was in the past. From an audit perspective, our controls are now very homogenous.”
Streamlined access to information. Leadership—and auditors—love the easy access to information.
“With BlackLine, we have instant visibility into the 11,000 reconciliations we perform every month. Reports can be pulled quickly and efficiently by anyone in management.”
Engaged in continuous improvement. Holtman and his team are passionate about refining their use of BlackLine.
“We’ve started looking at a lot of our key metrics and comparing them to the industry standard. We’re using that standard to inspire us to improve and grow.”
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Harman's BlackLine Journey
Computer Software & Services
SAP
United States
Midsize
Strengthened controls and standardized processes.
Streamlined access to information.
Engaged in continuous improvement.
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