BlackLine is a provider of cloud-based solutions for Finance & Accounting (F&A) that centralise and streamline financial close operations and other key F&A processes for midsize and large organisations. Designed to complement ERP and other financial systems, the BlackLine Finance Controls & Automation Platform increases operational efficiency, real-time visibility, control and compliance to ensure end-to-end financial close management, fueling confidence throughout the entire accounting cycle.

BlackLine enables moving beyond outdated processes and point solutions to a Continuous Accounting model, in which real-time automation, controls and period-end tasks are embedded within day-to-day activities helping companies achieve Modern Finance status, ensuring more accurate and insightful financial statements and a more efficient financial close. Companies with SSCs around the world trust them to ensure balance sheet integrity and confidence in their financial statements.

BlackLine was founded in 2001 by Therese Tucker. Not to be confused with your usual buttoned up CEO and Entrepreneur, Therese, a certified Yoga Instructor, started with more than 25 years of financial accounting and technology development under her belt. She was focused initially on providing a wealth management solution to First National Bank of Nebraska. When an accountant expressed frustration over the bank’s manual processes to reconcile the books, Therese took notice!!!!

A software programmer at heart (and someone who deeply detests waste and inefficiency), she put her nose to the grindstone and developed the first automated solution for account reconciliations. BlackLine, as we know it today, was born, albeit Therese was the sole investor at the time, balancing two school-age children at home with the demands of a burgeoning enterprise.

Therese strongly believes in giving a percentage of her salary to charitable organisations and causes. Her philanthropic initiatives are encouraged and carried out amongst BlackLine’s Clients. Before every Annual User Conference BlackLine conducts a community event, engaging clients, partners and employees to work together as volunteers. One year more than 80 people helped to build homes in New Orleans through Habitat for Humanity and in 2017 Therese and BlackLine’s employees pledged to provide each of the 50,000+ homeless people in LA with something warm to wear, handing out more than 180,000 items during the holiday season.

Their passion and dedication to their customers is why BlackLine's Finance Controls and Automation platform is trusted by more than 222,000+ users in over 150 countries around the world and why they have been named to the Forbes Cloud 100 list and Inc. 500/500 list for the 9th year in a row.

Based in Los Angeles, California, BlackLine also has regional headquarters in London, Singapore and Sydney. Additional offices are planned, as BlackLine continues to add global clients, demonstrating the increasing demand worldwide for software to automate key F&A processes.

For more information please visit http://www.blackline.com

On behalf of the Shared Services Forum UK, we would like to thank BlackLine for their continued sponsorship.