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Description

Accounting Procedures Manual: Scoping, Drafting and Keeping It Alive

Draft an accounting procedures manual that is genuinely usable by your teams and by auditors

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

The accounting procedures manual is often written under pressure at an auditor's request, then forgotten in a shared drive. Too detailed, it becomes impossible to maintain; too vague, it describes neither controls nor responsibilities and no longer demonstrates the reliability of the accounting organisation.

Two days built around a drafting workshop: defining the useful scope, describing the organisation as it is actually practised, building a single template, then writing the procedures for the main cycles. The final sequence covers validation, distribution and the update rules that prevent the manual from becoming obsolete.

Learning objectives

  • Define the scope and the useful level of detail of the manual
  • Describe the accounting organisation as it is actually practised in the company
  • Formalise responsibilities, segregation of duties and system authorisations
  • Draft a cycle procedure from a single template
  • Document key controls and the associated audit trail
  • Organise validation, distribution and updating of the manual

What makes this programme different

Each participant leaves with one cycle procedure drafted and peer-reviewed during the programme
The drafting template is built in session so that it remains applicable to every cycle
The level of detail is calibrated against what an auditor actually comes to verify

Programme

1Purpose and Scope of the Manual

Knowing what the document must demonstrate

  • Expectations of auditors and reviewers
  • Links with internal control and the audit trail
  • Cycles and processes to cover as a priority
  • Useful level of detail and the pitfalls of an overly long document

2Describing the Accounting Organisation

Mapping out what is really done

  • Identifying stakeholders, delegations and approvals
  • Mapping flows and the applications in use
  • Segregation of duties and authorisations in the information system
  • Retention and archiving arrangements for supporting documents

3Drafting Procedures by Cycle

One template for every cycle

  • Standard template and shared drafting rules
  • Flowcharts and description of key controls
  • Purchasing, sales and treasury cycles
  • Payroll, inventory and fixed asset cycles
  • Stocktaking work and closing operations

4Validating, Distributing and Maintaining

Avoiding the manual that sleeps in a folder

  • Review and approval route for the document
  • Distribution and adoption by the accounting teams
  • Version control rules and update triggers
  • Using the manual to onboard new joiners

Who is it for

Finance and accounting managers, chief accountants, internal control officers and staff responsible for formalising the accounting organisation.

Prerequisites

A solid understanding of your organisation's accounting set-up and of standard accounting cycles.

Dates & locations

24 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.