BlackLine commissioned independent global research firm Censuswide to survey over 1,100 C-suite executives and finance professionals in large and midsize organizations across the world to establish accuracy confidence levels in financial data and perceived impact of errors on business.

Not only is there evidence of a disconnect between C-suite respondents and finance professionals when it comes to confidence in the accuracy of financial data, but nearly seven in 10 respondents believe that their organization has made significant business decisions based on inaccurate data. Many identified this as a hidden problem, with over a quarter (26%) stating concern over errors that they know must exist, but of which they have no visibility.

The BlackLine survey results show an overwhelming acknowledgment that inaccurate financial data has negative implications both externally and internally, yet also shows that many organizations continue to be challenged by human error, ever-increasing volume of data sources, as well as outdated technology.

"It is concerning that so many organizations are not confident in their ability to identify errors and ensure accurate reporting," Mario Spanicciati, chief strategy officer at BlackLine, said.  "The high-profile misreporting scandals we see in the news could be just the tip of a larger financial inaccuracy iceberg. It seems clear that not only are reporting errors prevalent, but that many of these inaccuracies remain hidden below the surface. There is no longer any excuse for not having full visibility into accurate numbers from which to report and drive business forward."

Survey highlights included:

Misplaced C-suite trust in the numbers

Although over half (54%) of total respondents still claim to completely trust the accuracy of their own financial data in general, there is a significant discrepancy between the views of the C-suite and that of finance professionals.

While 71% of C-suite respondents claimed to completely trust the accuracy of their financial data, only 38% of finance professionals said the same.

Many organizations are betting their business on inaccurate financial data

Almost seven in 10 (69%) respondents think that either they themselves or their CEO has made a significant business decision based on out-of-date or incorrect financial data.

36% cite that this has definitely occurred in their organization.

Low confidence levels in ability to spot errors to ensure accurate reporting

About two thirds (65%) of respondents said that a company they've worked for had to restate their earnings due to inaccuracies in financial data that weren't identified prior to close.

Only 17% of respondents agreed that they could trust that their finance team/CFO had identified all errors to ensure they are reporting accurately.

Respondents cited human error (41%), multiple data sources (40%) and a lack of automated controls (28%), as well as clunky technology (28%), as contributing factors to their lack of trust.

Counting the cost of hidden inaccuracies

Nearly all (96%) C-level respondents agreed that if inaccuracies in financial data were not identified prior to reporting, the impact would be negative.

These negative impacts included significant reputational damage (42%), an impact on their ability to secure additional investment (41%), and increasing debt levels (40%), with almost a third (32%) fearing fines and jail time.

Many large organizations are constantly having to fix financial errors in their accounts – in almost a quarter (22%) of cases, C-suite respondents said it takes up to 10 days per month for their organization to identify errors and make adjustments, potentially wasting as many as 114 days each year.

Accepted margins of error worryingly wide, despite recognition of pressure to close accuracy gap

39% of respondents acknowledged that the acceptable margin of error with accounts is decreasing in today's technology-driven world.

Despite this, 65% indicated that their organization still wouldn't consider $2 billion of accounting errors reported in their financial statements as material.

The research suggests that CEOs are making business decisions on numbers in which they are confident, but the people preparing the statements and reports are not.  The result is a heightened and unnecessary level of risk for many large organizations.

The implications of this are potentially severe. They include not only the financially negative impact of strategic decisions based on inaccurate numbers, but also the repercussions of failing to comply in an ever-expanding regulatory global business environment.

Spanicciati concluded: "Unless there is recognition that this is an unacceptable and unnecessary level of risk, we can expect to see an increase in large-scale financial misreporting. Business leaders have a responsibility to ensure that the processes and technology are in place to enable continuous visibility and accuracy of financial data. At a time when advanced tools to help automate controls and ensure accuracy are available and proven, there's really no excuse."