McGladrey, BlackLine Finalize Strategic Alliance

CHICAGO - Sept. 8, 2015 - PRLog -- McGladrey LLP, the nation’s leading provider of assurance, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market, is pleased to announce a formal alliance with BlackLine, a leading finance controls and automation software company.  This collaboration will strengthen McGladrey's ability to solve its clients' complex financial close challenges by using BlackLine’s proven cloud-based financial automation platform to fit each client's distinct needs.

The relationship between BlackLine and McGladrey LLP will provide the middle market with a first-class, scalable solution. Because the BlackLine platform is offered as Software as a Service, companies are not required to purchase hardware or install and maintain software. This allows companies to purchase and use only the software they need, which is critical for middle market business owners as internal IT resources can be scarce in these organizations.

“Based on our experience working with clients and talking with CFOs, we’ve heard the same story time and again: Organizations are constantly striving to shorten their close process,” said Brian Becker, national leader of technology and management consulting for McGladrey. “By bringing together McGladrey's business transformation professionals with BlackLine's powerful technology, we are able to make a significant positive difference for our clients by automating their financial close and other critical finance and accounting functions.”

McGladrey’s FAO (finance and accounting outsourcing) practice focuses on deploying quality outsourced business solutions by utilizing technology and implementing best practices processes. By partnering with BlackLine, the McGladrey FAO solution will now include the full BlackLine platform, featuring the company’s flagship financial close management solution.

McGladrey and BlackLine together provide a Business Process as a Service (BPaaS) offering that combines McGladrey’s domain expertise with BlackLine’s cloud-based infrastructure. The partnership results in productivity enhancements to finance and accounting processes, greater operational efficiency and improved bottom-line performance that allows growing companies to focus on their core business activities.

“A key component to our value proposition is utilizing state of the art technology solutions, such as BlackLine, to increase efficiency, controls and enhanced reporting capabilities for middle market companies.  This alliance will help us enhance our clients’ experience,” said Jim Cashin, national FAO leader for McGladrey.

“We're looking forward to working closely with McGladrey's consulting team and sales force to provide their clients with our best-in-class solution for automating key processes and ensuring controls across their entire accounting and finance departments,” said Chris Murphy, BlackLine’s chief revenue officer.  “McGladrey’s extensive experience serving mid-sized companies fits perfectly with our long-term strategy to deliver superior technology and client service to this largely untapped market.”

About BlackLine
BlackLine is a leading provider of Enhanced Finance Controls and Automation (EFCA) software and the only one that offers a unified cloud platform supporting the entire close-to-disclose process.  The BlackLine Finance Controls and Automation Platform is designed to help midsize companies and large enterprises strengthen controls, lower compliance risks and gain greater efficiencies and visibility.  Delivered through a scalable and highly secure cloud model and built from a single code base, the platform supports many key accounting and financial processes including the financial close, account reconciliations, intercompany accounting and controls assurance, fueling confidence throughout the entire accounting cycle.

More than 110,000 users across 1,100 global companies in over 100 countries currently leverage BlackLine to increase accountant productivity and elevate controls and compliance functions to ‘Modern Finance’ status, with customers comprising more than 25 of the Fortune 100 and over 100 of the Fortune 500.

BlackLine complements existing enterprise systems for Corporate Performance Management, Governance Risk and Compliance and Enterprise Resource Planning.  The BlackLine Financial Close Suite for SAP® Solutions is an SAP-endorsed business solution, joining the ranks of fewer than 40 other software offerings.  BlackLine also is an SAP Gold Partner, Oracle Gold Partner, and participates in the partner programs of NetSuite and several other ERP providers.

BlackLine global headquarters are in Los Angeles, with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, London, Melbourne, New York City, Paris, Sydney and Vancouver.  For more information, please visit www.blackline.com.

About McGladrey
Effective Oct. 26, 2015, McGladrey will unite with fellow members of our global network under the common brand name RSM. McGladrey LLP (http://www.mcgladrey.com/) is the leading U.S. provider of assurance, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market, with 8,000 professionals and associates in 80 cities nationwide. A licensed CPA firm, McGladrey serves clients around the world through RSM International, a global network of independent accounting, tax and consulting firms. For more information, join our Facebook fan page at McGladrey News, follow us on Twitter @McGladrey, and connect with us on LinkedIn, and/or on YouTube.