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BlackLine = Best in class
November 20, 2020

BlackLine = Best in class

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with BlackLine

BlackLine is used by the Finance and Accounting department as a tool to help solve the lack of visibility and accountability around month-end closes, particularly in the close tasks and close reconciliation areas. Tasks keep everyone accountable for their own portions of month-end close, and gives visibility not only to their managers, but also the executives. Account reconciliations can be as simple or complex as you want to make it.
  • Depth of product/solution.
  • Great customer support.
  • Amazing audit support.
  • Pricing - best in class product comes with highest price tag.
  • Maintenance can be a bit much if there is no dedicated resource.
  • Better accountability.
  • Better visibility.
  • More automation, less manual tasks.
Better depth of product. You can have specific items in account reconciliations besides just an Excel spreadsheet. This increases the visibility of account reconciliations. You can use the reporting functionality to view each of these items, and classify them (temporary timing, required adjustment, etc.).

This also does increase complexity. FloQast is definitely cheaper than Blackline, so it might work well for smaller organizations.

Do you think BlackLine delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with BlackLine's feature set?

Yes

Did BlackLine live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of BlackLine go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy BlackLine again?

Yes

Once set up correctly, it is very easy to use and find what you need. There is definitely a learning curve with both implementation and starting account reconciliations and tasks in BlackLine. Once those initial steps are complete though, it is very easy from a user perspective to move through the system and for users to know what is expected of them, what is assigned to them, and when they need to get it done by.
BlackLine support / customer success has been amazing. Every question answered, every system setting explained. I would highly recommend BlackLine just for their support. Additionally, their forums are top-notch and different answers and any workarounds (if you are trying to do something crazy) readily explained. I can honestly say I have never had a less than perfect interaction with BlackLine support.
BlackLine is great, especially during this COVID era, where the need for a distributed, virtual close management process is imperative. The ability to leave notes on tasks or reconciliations, review those notes, and keep a close eye on the status of month-end close when not in the same room with everyone is key now more than ever.

If you are a small organization, or not wanting to move away from your paper backup documentation, BlackLine might not be for you.