The Business Value of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine
This is the complete 2025 Business Value Whitepaper Download the DocumentApril 2025 | Business Value White Paper, sponsored by SAP and BlackLine
The Business Value of
SAP Financial Close Solutions
by BlackLine
Megan Szurley
Business Value Manager,
Business Value Strategy Practice, IDC
Kevin Permenter
Research Director,
Financial Applications, IDC
THIS PDF USES
HYPERLINKS
The Business Value of
SAP Financial Close Solutions
by BlackLine
Megan Szurley
Business Value Manager,
Business Value Strategy Practice, IDC
Kevin Permenter
Research Director,
Financial Applications, IDC
THIS PDF USES
HYPERLINKS
2
Business Value White Paper,
sponsored by SAP and BlackLine
April 2025 | IDC #US53204425
The Business Value of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine
Table of Contents
Business Value Highlights 3
Executive Summary 3
Situation Overview 4
Challenges in Building and Maintaining Financial Operational Efficiency 5
Poor Process Impacts the Bottom Line 5
Technology Is Bridging the Gap 6
Overview of SAP Financial Close Solutions by Blackline 7
The Solution’s Key Benefits 8
The Business Value of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 8
Study Firmographics 8
Choice and Use of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 9
Business Value and Quantified Benefits 11
Accounting and Auditing Team Benefits from SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 14
Finance Team Benefits from SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 16
Journal Entry and Account Reconciliation Benefits
from SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 18
ROI Summary 21
Challenges/Opportunities 22
Conclusion 23
Appendix 1: Methodology 24
Appendix 2: Supplemental Data 26
About the IDC Analysts 27
Message from the Sponsors 28
Business Value White Paper,
sponsored by SAP and BlackLine
April 2025 | IDC #US53204425
The Business Value of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine
Table of Contents
Business Value Highlights 3
Executive Summary 3
Situation Overview 4
Challenges in Building and Maintaining Financial Operational Efficiency 5
Poor Process Impacts the Bottom Line 5
Technology Is Bridging the Gap 6
Overview of SAP Financial Close Solutions by Blackline 7
The Solution’s Key Benefits 8
The Business Value of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 8
Study Firmographics 8
Choice and Use of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 9
Business Value and Quantified Benefits 11
Accounting and Auditing Team Benefits from SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 14
Finance Team Benefits from SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 16
Journal Entry and Account Reconciliation Benefits
from SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine 18
ROI Summary 21
Challenges/Opportunities 22
Conclusion 23
Appendix 1: Methodology 24
Appendix 2: Supplemental Data 26
About the IDC Analysts 27
Message from the Sponsors 28
3
Business Value White Paper,
sponsored by SAP and BlackLine
April 2025 | IDC #US53204425
The Business Value of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine
Table of Contents
$7.9 million
average annual benefits
per organization
$193,000
average annual benefit
per 10 users
621%
three-year return
on investment
12 months
payback on investment
35%
more efficient
accounting teams
Executive Summary
Financial leaders are increasingly focused on enhancing financial reconciliation and
substantiation processes due to shifting global economic policies, inflation,
and labor shortages. Efficient, automation-driven reconciliation processes minimize
errors, improve compliance, and streamline workflows, leading to cost savings and
improved financial control. However, challenges such as high transaction volumes,
data inconsistencies, and regulatory compliance complicate these efforts.
Leveraging technology, including automation tools and AI, can significantly
improve accuracy, reduce manual workload, and provide real-time insights,
ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and strategic value for organizations.
Through a series of in-depth interviews, IDC conducted research that explored the
value and benefits that organizations gained from using SAP financial close solutions
by BlackLine to decrease the complexity of accounting and finance-related activities.
BUSINESS VALUE HIGHLIGHTS
Click any link and look for the • symbol on the corresponding page. Use the Return to Highlights button to return this page.
25%
more efficient
finance teams
47%
less time spent
creating reports
25%
greater report accuracy
22%
more efficient reconciliation
and journal entry teams
41%
fewer days required for
substantiation completion
35%
of journal entries
automated
45%
fewer days required for
journal entry completion
33%
more efficient
compliance teams
19%
more efficient
AP/AR/payroll teams
Business Value White Paper,
sponsored by SAP and BlackLine
April 2025 | IDC #US53204425
The Business Value of SAP Financial Close Solutions by BlackLine
Table of Contents
$7.9 million
average annual benefits
per organization
$193,000
average annual benefit
per 10 users
621%
three-year return
on investment
12 months
payback on investment
35%
more efficient
accounting teams
Executive Summary
Financial leaders are increasingly focused on enhancing financial reconciliation and
substantiation processes due to shifting global economic policies, inflation,
and labor shortages. Efficient, automation-driven reconciliation processes minimize
errors, improve compliance, and streamline workflows, leading to cost savings and
improved financial control. However, challenges such as high transaction volumes,
data inconsistencies, and regulatory compliance complicate these efforts.
Leveraging technology, including automation tools and AI, can significantly
improve accuracy, reduce manual workload, and provide real-time insights,
ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and strategic value for organizations.
Through a series of in-depth interviews, IDC conducted research that explored the
value and benefits that organizations gained from using SAP financial close solutions
by BlackLine to decrease the complexity of accounting and finance-related activities.
BUSINESS VALUE HIGHLIGHTS
Click any link and look for the • symbol on the corresponding page. Use the Return to Highlights button to return this page.
25%
more efficient
finance teams
47%
less time spent
creating reports
25%
greater report accuracy
22%
more efficient reconciliation
and journal entry teams
41%
fewer days required for
substantiation completion
35%
of journal entries
automated
45%
fewer days required for
journal entry completion
33%
more efficient
compliance teams
19%
more efficient
AP/AR/payroll teams