Thesis First Leap into the Lean Financial Closing Process is looking into a financial reporting team in a global manufacturing company’s support function role. The author is assessing the team’s current understanding of the Lean methodology and evaluating the future readiness for adopting lean ways of working.

The theoretical framework is presenting the main Lean process principles as an introduction to the methodology. In addition it is emphasizing special characteristics tailored for this case such as lean financial closing process, change management related expert recommendations and further study of the value stream mapping and identifying waste in the work.

The research is concentrating into the sample team and aims to assess the team’s readiness into adopting lean practises in its work and looking into the change management and steps.

What is current understanding in the financial team of the lean methodologies? What is the level of change management actions required to gain optimal response to the adopting lean closing process? What are the quick wins that can be identified already from the research discussions – easy to implement and/or gain consensus of streamlining the process to optimal efficiency?

As an outcome the author is presenting her recommendations for the team as quick-wins to be implemented and planning the actions relating to change management. In addition, a general roadmap for initiating the Lean leap in entire department is developed as author’s suggestion of the way forward. As conclusion it is clear that taking the first lean leap in the organisation is expected and should be started