BlackLine Systems has begun offering an online training tool known as BlackLine U for users of the company’s Financial Close Software Suite.

The Web-based learning management system helps users with the administration, documentation, tracking and reporting of corporate training programs and content. BlackLine’s suite of financial software automates the account reconciliation and financial close process.

The free, self-guided training system gives preparers, approvers, administrators, auditors, executives or any other employee 24/7 access to training when convenient. BlackLine U will also offer a comprehensive course curriculum, including popular past classes, in video tutorial format. Users will learn to use the system through interactive, teaching videos with real-life examples and demonstrations of practical applications of the software, tailored to different roles. 

The video tutorials allow users to go at their own pace. They can play, pause, rewind, fast forward or pick back up where they left off on another day. 

Users of BlackLine U can also access BlackLine’s library of resources, including best practices, checklists, Q&As and manuals through the system. They can view a personal BlackLine U history via their own personal transcript, including incomplete and completed courses, exam scores and certifications. System and business administrators can also view BlackLine U participation and performance reports showing the real-time usage of all BlackLine users in their company.

In the future, the company plans to make its BlackLine U video training content available in multiple languages to serve BlackLine’s client base. 

For clients who prefer live training, BlackLine will continue to offer Web-based sessions for select courses, as well. More than 30,000 registrants have already signed up for the company’s online webinar courses since the program began in 2007. BlackLine expects to surpass the 10,000-registrant mark this year alone.

BlackLine hosts its software at a data center run by RackSpace. The company has been expanding rapidly and hired between 50 and 60 people in the past six months, according to CEO Therese Tucker, effectively doubling the employee count to over 100. The self-funded company was incorporated 10 years ago and started out in the wealth management space, but decided in 2005 to focus on the account close process. Clients include Cox Communications and MGM Hotels.

For more information, visit www.blackline.com.