Start a conversation ↗

Description

Optimising Management Control: Redesigning the Framework and Shortening Cycle Times

Cut the time spent producing figures and reinvest it in analysis and decision support

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

In many organisations, management control teams spend most of their time collecting and reformatting data. Reporting arrives late, contains indicators that nobody uses, and the budget takes several months to build only to be out of date by the end of the first quarter.

These two days are designed for experienced professionals who wish to redesign their framework. Participants review their cost accounting architecture, weigh a traditional budget against rolling forecasts, remove indicators that serve no purpose, automate repetitive tasks and reposition their team alongside operational managers. Each participant leaves with a quantified redesign plan.

Learning objectives

  • Diagnose the weaknesses of the existing management control framework
  • Review the cost accounting architecture and the allocation rules for overheads
  • Choose between a traditional budget process and rolling forecasts
  • Reduce reporting to the indicators that actually trigger a decision
  • Automate recurring data collection and formatting tasks
  • Reposition the team as a business partner to operational managers

What makes this programme different

Each participant produces a quantified diagnosis of the time consumed by their own closing and reporting process
Existing indicators are challenged one by one against their real decision-making value
The resulting redesign plan separates quick wins from structural workstreams

Programme

1Diagnosing the Framework

Measuring what the current process really costs

  • Mapping deliverables produced and their actual recipients
  • Measuring time spent on collection, control and analysis
  • Identifying duplicate data entry and redundant controls
  • Quality of source data and points of failure
  • Expectations expressed by executive management and by operational teams

2Cost Accounting Architecture

Reviewing the level of detail before adding tools

  • Choosing analysis dimensions and aligning them with the organisation
  • Overhead allocation rules and their unintended effects
  • Costing methods and their relevance to the activity concerned
  • Setting internal transfer prices
  • Alignment with the chart of accounts and the information system

3Budget, Forecasts and Reporting

Deciding more often with fewer documents

  • Redesigning the budget process and shortening its duration
  • Introducing rolling forecasts and scenario planning
  • Selecting the indicators that trigger action
  • Building clear, commented reporting
  • Variance analysis geared to decision-making rather than justification

4Automation and Positioning

Freeing up time and reinvesting it with the business

  • Automating data collection and formatting
  • Improving reliability through automated rather than manual controls
  • Leading change within the finance team
  • Facilitating the management dialogue with operational teams
  • Building and tracking the redesign plan

Who is it for

Experienced management controllers, heads of management control, chief financial officers and performance management leads.

Prerequisites

Solid experience in management control and in producing management reporting

Dates & locations

36 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.