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Description

Managing Accounting Teams: Organising the Close, Delegating and Motivating

Leading a finance and accounting team under closing-period pressure and role transformation

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

The accounting manager leads a team whose workload is dictated by non-negotiable deadlines. Closing peaks are often absorbed by the same few people, supervision is reduced to a final review, and the growing automation of data-entry tasks unsettles staff whose roles are changing without anyone discussing it with them.

Two days focused on managing an accounting and finance function: allocating cycles and closing tasks, building a closing schedule, addressing errors without damaging trust, supporting the shift from data entry to analysis, and sustaining engagement outside peak periods. Every situation is drawn from accounting departments.

Learning objectives

  • Allocate accounting cycles and closing tasks across the team
  • Build a closing schedule with intermediate milestones
  • Organise supervision and review levels for the work produced
  • Conduct the analysis of an accounting error and the discussion that follows
  • Support role changes driven by the automation of processing tasks
  • Conduct annual reviews and set objectives suited to accounting roles

What makes this programme different

The closing schedule is reworked live to smooth workload and secure milestones
The post-error discussion is role-played then analysed from the angle of preserving trust
Role changes linked to automation are addressed through a mapping of the team's tasks

Programme

1Organising the Department's Activity

Meeting deadlines without exhausting the team

  • Allocation of accounting cycles and entity portfolios
  • Closing schedule and intermediate milestones
  • Smoothing peaks and managing absences
  • Supervision of work and levels of review
  • Writing instructions and documenting processes

2Managing Quality and Errors

Addressing anomalies without damaging trust

  • Root-cause analysis of an accounting error
  • Key controls and self-review practice
  • Post-incident discussion and corrective commitment
  • Working with external auditors and internal control teams

3Supporting the Evolution of Roles

Moving the team from data entry to analysis

  • Impact of automation and digitalisation on roles
  • Mapping the team's tasks and skills
  • Upskilling plan and building versatility
  • Supporting team members who struggle with change

4Engaging and Retaining the Team

Sustaining commitment outside closing periods

  • Team meetings and communicating priorities
  • Annual review and setting accounting objectives
  • Recognition and the manager's real room for manoeuvre
  • Onboarding a new joiner in a deadline-driven department
  • Signals of disengagement and sustained overload

Who is it for

Accounting managers · team leaders · finance and administration managers · supervisors within accounting departments.

Prerequisites

Currently leading an accounting or finance team, or preparing to take on such a responsibility.

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.