1.5 CPE This course corresponds to our Controllership series. Within this course, we specifically address the Controllers role and pro-active potentials in organization Strategic and Annual Planning. This series of courses is dedicated to exploring the traditional controller role and stepping out of the box to identify areas where the Controller can add strategic value to their organizations.
Controllers are essential to the day-to-day accounting for organizations. Yet, the role is not often readily understood. In today’s world of acronyms such as CFO, CEO, COO, CAO, etc. the Controller function may get lost in the shuffle. However, they are a critical group of professionals who ensure the adequacy and transparency of accounting and financial reporting information.
When it comes to the task of strategic planning, many feel this role is primarily the responsibility of the executive team and board. However, in this course, we delve into the various steps of the strategic plan and explore where the Controller can add strategic value through providing functional input and insight.
Strategic planning is a process used to identify goals, the strategies necessary to accomplish those goals, and the internal performance management system that will be used to monitor and evaluate progress.
Below courses are currently available on the site:
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Elevating the Role
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Strategic and Annual Planning
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Cash and Investments
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Process Part 1
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Process Part 2
- The Controllership Series: Financial Statement Preparation and Presentation
Learning Objectives
- Defining strategic planning.
- The controller’s challenges in the strategic planning process.
- Risk Management and internal controls.
- The controller role in strategic planning.
- Step One - Determine your strategic position.
- Step Two - Establishing prioritize objectives.
- Step Three - Set the strategic plan.
- Step Four - Execute and manage the plan.
- Step Five - Review and revise the plan.
Last updated/reviewed: March 27, 2024
Included In Certifications
This course is included in the following Certification Programs:
22 CoursesThe Controllership Series Certification
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Elevating the Role
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Strategic and Annual Planning
- The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in Financial Forecasting
- The Controllership Series: Future Role of the Controller – Part 1
- The Controllership Series: Future Role of the Controller – Part 2
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Cash and Investments
- ASC 842 Accounting for Leases - Deep Dive
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Part 1
- The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Part 2 - Inventory Valuation, Physical Inventory Methods and Inventory fraud
- The Controllership Series: Overhead, Direct and Indirect Costs and Allocation Methods
- The Controllership Series: Financial Statement Preparation and Presentation
- The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in the Procurement Function
- The Controllership Series: The Role of The Controller in ESG
- The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in Pro Forma Financials
- The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in Data Analytics and Big Data
- The Controllership Series: Introduction to the Financial Close Process
- The Controllership Series: Managerial Accounting Basics and Cost Principles
- The Controllership Series: Sales, Collections and Customer Credit
- The Controllership Series: Addressing Cash Flow and Forecasting Uncertainty
- The Controllership Series: The Controller’s Skillset
- The Controllership Series: The Controllers Role in Internal Controls
- Tools for The Controllership Series Certificate
73 Reviews (426 ratings)
Reviews
Anonymous
(None)
Helpful course with great overview of the strategic planning process and how a controller can become more involved and add value. Technology and a strong team are instrumental in supporting the controller to this end. Since the controller may not have capacity to take on all of the suggestions, particularly if resources are limited, it would be great to get a view on what would be most impactful to tackle first.
Anonymous
(Consultant)
Effective risk management and robust internal controls are essential components of a successful strategic plan. Controllers are responsible for identifying potential risks, assessing their impact, and implementing controls to mitigate them. This ensures the organization can navigate uncertainties while pursuing its strategic objectives.
Shane Hartnett-Beasley
(seeking opportunities at Seeking new opportunities)
useful course and helpful in understanding how a Controller can add to the strategic planning process. It is incumbent that the Controller is fully versed on the company financial information and builds plans that line up with objective4es and can accommodate changes (flex in the plans)
Casey Anderson
(CPA at Tarvos Talent)
This course was very well organized and explained. I would recommend to any Controller and CFO. Lynn does an excellent job at describing how a Controller can be incredibly useful in the Strategic Planning and incorporating their input improves their ability to do their job as well.
Anonymous
(Accountant)
Interesting ideas and I liked the discussion about ways the role of controller is changing in todays environment. It would have been helpful to see more depth in the examples, although that would make the course longer than its current scope, so admittedly there is a tradeoff.
Anonymous
(Director of FInance)
The topic was timely. I thought that the content should have been a little more straight forward. I thought the instructor was good and knowledgable, however it was harder to follow than other courses.
Jared Slack
(VP Finance at Fortress Solutions)
I enjoyed this course and the controllership series overall. It provides good ideas on how a controller can elevate their role and provide more value for their organization as well as upward advancement.
Anonymous
(Finance & Accounting Consultant)
Good overview of strategic and annual planning for Controllers. Organizations vary, but this gave a very insightful view on how Controllers can get more involved and what areas to focus and add value.
Anonymous
()
I appreciated the explanations of the steps in strategic planning and how the controller can add value in each of the steps. The examples are a good way to show real world role of the controller
Anonymous
(Corporate Controller)
I enjoy Ms. Fountain's approach to her classes because she uses real examples and not just hypothetical scenarios. Which allows for better understanding of the material at hand.
Anonymous
()
The course provides an overview of the five steps taken to add more value. It would be better to provide sources where the controllers can go to look for guidance or examples.
Anonymous
(Compass Consultant)
Great overview of the critical steps that must be taken in order to build a strategic plan within the organization. Very helpful for things to consider as I step into the role.
Nicole Gordon
( at D&D Ingredients, LLC)
I enjoyed learning about the role of the controller in Devising, Implementing and Reviewing the Strategic Plan. Made me think about what I could be doing in my current role.
Anonymous
(Treasury Manager)
Great way to explain the Strategic and Annual planning roles for the Controllers. Need to follow these guidelines and establish more strategies in the Financial Department.
Anonymous
(None)
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Kathleen Busk Varas
(Principal Financial Consultant at V Ventures Consulting)
Solid framework for assisting controller's in providing good decision support information to top management to be used in strategic plans and monitoring/reporting.
Anonymous
(Advisor)
One thing I did not love was that during the quiz, there were too many answers that were just "all of the above." This made it almost too obvious.
Anonymous
(Controller)
This course provided good framework for how Controllers can best contribute to the strategic planning process and monitor results during the year.
Anonymous
(N/A)
The instructor provided excellent guidance on the steps that a controller could take to make more involved in strategic and annual planning.
Anonymous
(Finance Consultant)
I found this content to be highly interesting and relevant to a successful fulfillment of the controller role within an organization. Thanks
Chere Bramer
(Consultant at CLBM Consulting, LLC)
Useful breakdown of how to go about creating a strategic plan. This will be helpful when trying to get a seat at the decision-makers table.
Anonymous
(CPA)
Good examples as to how a controller elevates his or her role by being involved in the different steps of the strategic planning process.
Sean Flynn
(Accounting Manager at Rosemawr Management)
Thorough course on strategic planning of a company and how a controller can play a roll in making sure initiatives are followed through on.
Mark Eason
( at BVUA)
The first question about the length of a strategic plan has no correct answer. MS Fountain gave various answers from 10 years to 3 years.
Anonymous
()
Very thought provoking. As someone working at a young company, this was very insightful to think through the strategic planning process.
Anonymous
(accountant)
The instructor is very clear with examples reflecting the recent world event. The structure is easy to understand with great examples.
Anonymous
(CFO)
This was a great course really enjoyed the presentation, materials, and coursework aligned with its continuing education series.
Anonymous
(Controller)
This was a great course that provides valuable skills the Controllers should keep in mind to enhance their role and contribution.
Anonymous
(SVP)
High level overview of the role of the controller in the strategic planning process - slides were clear and easy to follow.
Anonymous
(CPA Controller CFO)
The course provided adequate education in the areas expected and fulfilled the objectives of learning in the subject area.
Caitlyn Post
(Controller at OK4WD)
Relevant content for those looking for ideas on how to play a role in the strategic plan and get upper management buy in.
Anonymous
(Accounting Controller)
A little too high level - would like more details on important KPIs, ways to assist management, etc. Seemed repetitive
Anonymous
(Director Net Revenue)
Definitely very helpful on ideas to improve the business and breaking down ways controllers can support the process
Anonymous
(Accountant)
A good overview of the steps involved with a strategic plan. I will likely refer to the materials in the future.
Anonymous
(Reinsurance Accounting Manager)
Great course presenting the importance of the Controller role within the strategic planning process of a Company.
Anonymous
(-)
This is pretty good content. Overall, it's not overly actionable but still a good theoretical view of the topic.
Anonymous
(Accounting Manager)
Good overview of how the Controller can assist in developing and manage the strategic plan of the organization.
Zachary Lockhart
( at Private Business)
another good course on roles and responsibilities of the controller function. thank you for the course.
Anonymous
()
Good overview of the challenges to effective strategic planning and the role played by the Controller.
Anonymous
(Sr. Accounting Manager)
It’s interesting learning how the controller’s role is evolving and how to adapt to stay relevant.
Anonymous
(CFO)
The instructor was very clear and concise. The format and structure of the course was easy to follow.
Anonymous
(finance controller /Director)
Strategic planning is treated various type of considrtions per steps. This is special tips for me.
Lawrence Hirsch
(Controller at Builders design)
We have done it again thanks to you Lynn and a great course. learned tons.
Thank you,
Larry
Sean Searley
(Finance at WoodRiver Energy LLC)
The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Strategic and Annual Planning - good stuff.
Anonymous
(OWNER)
It is very important to understand the concept to effectively upgrade the role of a controller.
Anonymous
()
Good information on where and how a Controller can add value in the strategic planning process.
Anonymous
(Senior Accountant)
Helpful to my daily role in finance as it relates to planning. Thank you well written course.
Anonymous
(SVP Corp Compliance & Accounting)
Learned a number of concepts that i plan to apply in the workplace and share with my team.
Anonymous
()
Great course on the strategic role of the controller, I recommend this course to everyone
Anonymous
(Management's Control Auditor)
Thank-you. The information is current and relevant. I will use some of this in my work.
Ada Ramirez
(Consultant at Robert Half)
I'm a controller and this course is very relevant to the trends I am encountering today.
Abraham Minto
( at Abraham Minto LLC)
Lynn's Controllership Series course on Strategic and Annual Planning was well organized
Anonymous
(Senior Accountant)
Solid overview of strategic planning, from the perspective of a Controller - thanks!
Anonymous
(Controller)
I really like this course because it expanded my knowledge of Strategic Planning.
Inna Shmukler
(Controller at Fornetix LLC)
Good as an overview. Some useful information, but seems somewhat too general.
Anonymous
(CFO)
Lynn does a great job of using real-world examples to illustrate the concepts
Anonymous
(Controller)
Really good high level summary of a controller's role in strategic planning.
Anonymous
(Accountant)
Great course, clear and concise, would recommend others to take this course
Tyler Ellens
(Staff Acountant at Evenhouse & Co. P.C.)
Good overview of process and provides detail about each step in the process
Anonymous
()
Good course covering the basis. Is a bit dated with COVID being 'past' us.
Anonymous
(Controller)
Wonderful starting points and great bullets to start the thinking process.
Anonymous
(Corporate Controller)
Useful course ! Wish there were more practical examples or case studies.
Viji Ananth
(Finance Manager at Loloi Inc)
the course material could have been with more effective updated examples
Anonymous
(Accounting Manager)
Good overview, would have been nice to see some more tangible examples.
Anonymous
(Director for Temporal Affairs)
The final exam questions didn't seem to match exactly what was taught.
Kelsey Kozachuk
(Sr. Controller at Browne Consulting Group)
Good overview of strategic and annual planning for Controllers.
Anonymous
(Financial Operations Consultant)
No really specific information. Questions were poorly designed.
Anonymous
(Founder)
The course is clear and sets the tone for the controller role.
Anonymous
(Controller)
Excellent presentation in a way that makes it understandable
Antonio Fernandez Floro
(Regional Project Lead for Europe and Afr.. at Kirche Jesu Christi HLT (D),)
I have found a lot of useful information in this course.
Lorene Johnson
( at SeaOne Holdings)
Always enjoy Lynn's courses. Very clearly presented.
David Fajardo
(Financial Planning Analyst at Clear Blue Insurance Group)
good me gusto a lot, i want to be the best controller
Anonymous
(Sr Director, Finance)
The course was very informative and easy to follow.
Prerequisites
Knowledge Level: Basic
No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.
It is recommended to take Other Segments of The Controllership Series courses by Lynn Fountain.
1. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Elevating the Role
2. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Strategic and Annual Planning
3. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Cash and Investments
4. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Part 1
5. The Controllership Series: The Controller Function - Inventory Part 2
6. The Controllership Series: Financial Statement Preparation and Presentation
Education Provider Information
Company:
Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA
95113
Contact:
For more information regarding this course, including complaint and
cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to
.
Course Questions and Answers(2 Questions)
Lynn FountainCPA, CGMA, CRMA, MBA, cPIA, Consultant, Author, Trainer
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Hi - FYI, not seeking a response given anonymous designation. The first question of the exam was length of a strategic plan. I do not recall this being covered in the course. Based on my experience, and considering the word "strategic," I selected five. One was the correct answer. I respectfully submit that a strategic plan should encompass more than one year.