Why Many CFOs and Controllers Are Taking a Second Look
When the new lease accounting standards were first implemented, finance leaders did what they had to: stand up systems quickly, align with real estate, and hit compliance deadlines. Often, this was done under pressure and with limited clarity. For many, it was a scramble, driven more by necessity than strategy.
Now, years later, that quick response is revealing its limitations.
What looked like a compliant lease accounting solution on the surface is often masking deeper issues. Maintenance has been more complex than anticipated. Manual workarounds are widespread. Data accuracy is questionable. And confidence in the numbers, which no CFO or controller can afford to lack, is weaker than it should be.
Software Isn’t Living Up to Its Promise
Many of the lease accounting software platforms adopted during implementation came with high expectations, including robust capabilities, ease of use, and seamless integration. But in practice, those systems have proven difficult to navigate, requiring more manual intervention and workarounds than advertised. Reporting limitations, integration challenges, and unintuitive user interfaces have left finance teams spending more time managing the software than using it for strategic insight.
Turnover Is Adding to the Challenge
Another growing challenge? Employee turnover. Many of the key personnel who were deeply involved in the original implementation are no longer with the organization. The institutional knowledge, including the rationale for how things were set up, the quirks of the software, and the spreadsheet bridges that made it all work, is walking out the door. New team members face a steep learning curve with limited documentation and inconsistent processes.
It’s Time for a Health Check
CFOs and controllers are increasingly recognizing that their lease accounting systems need more than just maintenance. They need reassessment. Whether it’s cleaning up legacy data, reconfiguring software, or realigning internal procedures, the goal is the same: restore confidence and ensure accuracy.
National Lease Advisors Can Help
National Lease Advisors partners with finance and real estate leaders to evaluate and optimize lease accounting systems. We dig into the details, identify where systems are falling short, and implement practical solutions that reduce risk and increase reliability. Whether your challenge is system complexity, team turnover, or inconsistent processes, we bring the clarity and structure needed to move forward with confidence.
If you’re questioning whether your lease accounting setup is still fit for purpose, it’s probably time for a second look.
Let National Lease Advisors help you strengthen your systems, shore up your reporting, and deliver financials you can trust.