BlackLine has expanded its global partner programme to further penetrate the accounting automation software market, the company announced today.

The expansion covers multiple facets of the business: market segments coverage, consulting services capacity, marketing and sales, customer growth and geographic presence. This, the company says, will enable its partners to leverage scale their go-to-market capabilities and increase value for their customers.

“We believe we can continue to increase our leadership position in the financial close and accounts receivable automation markets by expanding a world-class partner ecosystem that offers significant opportunity for partners to grow with us,” says BlackLine senior vice president of channels and alliances Mel Zeledon.

“Our expanded partner program includes the creation of a Field Alliances team that works with the full partner ecosystem to drive success on a regional and global basis.”

Specifically, the extended partner programme includes:

• SAP platinum partner with a Global Reseller Agreement under which BlackLine's cloud-based solutions are offered as solution extensions for SAP software
• Regional consulting alliances that complement BlackLine's existing presence in the enterprise and mid-market segments to better serve customers across specific geographies.
• Global business process outsourcing (BPO) and managed service provider alliances with industry giants, including Genpact and Infosys BPM, to better serve customers in transforming, optimising and running their accounting automation functions.
• Solution providers that, as resellers, focus on serving the North America mid-market and all segments of emerging markets.
• Software and cloud partnerships focused on complementary capabilities that add value to the BlackLine platform, including expanded presence in adjacent areas to financial close and accounts receivable automation. 

“As we move into 2021 with brighter days on the horizon, leading companies are accelerating their investments in cloud-based financial automation solutions,” says EY-BlackLine Alliance executive sponsor Tony Klimas.

“As a Global Platinum Alliance Partner, EY is proud to work with BlackLine to enable our joint customers to leverage the increased pace of digital change and distance themselves from their competition.”

Deloitte - Touche LLP risk and financial advisory managing director Tom Toppen says the need for accounting automation software is especially important in today's economic climate.

“Technology limitations have been central to many of the barriers that Finance - Accounting teams have faced during the pandemic,” says Toppen.

“As we continue to evolve virtual work, organisations are expediting financial close transformation with market-leading platform solutions like BlackLine and integration with ERPs.

Zeledon says, “Working together with our partners, we are committed to helping customers accelerate their digital finance transformations and to providing them with the best possible experience on their modern accounting journeys.