This lesson follows the same shape as lesson 4: three short workplace texts, questions after each one, then vocabulary,
skills practice, and homework. The context is close deadlines, small variances, and audit-style evidence—still light finance English, not technical accounting.
Use Show Teacher Answers only after your first written attempt.
Read each text once for general meaning, then again for numbers and deadlines.
Write answers in full sentences when the question asks for explanation.
Reveal the answer key only after you try on your own.
Complete the homework before the next session and bring your written work or a file.
Warm-Up
Before Reading A (optional notes)
What does “month-end close” mean in your team, in one sentence?
Have you ever seen a small mismatch between two reports? What did people do next?
Reading A
A variance note before the close meeting
Nadia works in a regional SSC. On the last working day of March, she notices that one clearing account in the subledger
is EUR 120 higher than the matching line in the general ledger (GL). The amount is small compared with daily volumes,
and policy says differences under EUR 500 can stay open until the next cycle if they are documented.
Instead of staying silent, Nadia writes a five-line note for the close meeting. She states the two balances, the EUR 120 variance,
and the fact that she already checked two common causes (timing of a batch upload and a duplicate line from a test user). Neither explanation fits.
She ends with a clear request: could someone from the GL team run a quick trace on journal batch JE-90344 before 16:00?
Her lead replies: “Good note—this is exactly the evidence we need if audit asks later.” Nadia feels that short, factual updates
protect the team during close week when everyone is tired and easy details get lost.
Comprehension · Reading A
Answer in your own words
What two balances does Nadia compare, and what is the difference in euros?
According to policy, when can a difference under EUR 500 remain open?
Name the two causes Nadia already ruled out.
What concrete action does she request from the GL team, and by what time?
Why does her lead praise the note?
In your own words, why might “evidence” matter during close week?
Teacher answers · Reading A
A clearing account in the subledger vs the matching GL line; EUR 120 difference (subledger higher).
If the difference is documented (accept “documented and under threshold”).
Timing of a batch upload; a duplicate line from a test user.
Run a trace on journal batch JE-90344; before 16:00.
It gives what they need if audit asks later / good documentation (accept paraphrases).
Open answer; accept ideas such as proof of checks done, fewer repeated questions, audit trail (any reasonable point).
Reading B
A manager’s close checklist message
Omar sends this message to the AP reconciliation channel at 09:15 on close day:
March close — please confirm by 17:30 today
All parked invoices: either released or explained with a ticket number.
Vendor statements for Group A: match status updated in the tracker—use “matched”, “exception”, or “waiting on buyer”.
Any accrual estimate above EUR 10,000 needs a one-line rationale in the shared sheet.
If you cannot meet the cut-off, escalate to me with the blocker and the realistic next time you can finish—not after 17:30 without a message.
Several analysts post short “done” replies with their initials. Omar closes his laptop knowing that the channel has a written record of what was requested.
Comprehension · Reading B
Answer in your own words
What is the deadline for confirmations in Omar’s message?
List the three bullet areas Omar asks people to complete.
What three labels does he want in the tracker for Group A vendor statements?
What extra detail is required for accrual estimates above EUR 10,000?
What should someone do if they cannot meet the cut-off?
Why might Omar value a “written record” in the channel?
Teacher answers · Reading B
17:30 today.
Parked invoices; Group A vendor statements in tracker; accrual estimates over EUR 10,000 in shared sheet.
matched · exception · waiting on buyer
A one-line rationale in the shared sheet.
Escalate to Omar with the blocker and realistic next finish time; do not go silent past 17:30 without a message (accept paraphrases).
Open answer; accept accountability, audit trail, clarity when busy, etc.
Reading C
Asking for missing evidence before close
Leo needs a goods receipt in the system before he can clear an invoice for March close. Procurement uploaded a signed delivery note last month,
but the warehouse scan is still missing, and the policy says both pieces count as evidence for high-value lines.
Leo sends a calm email to the buyer, Ines:
Hi Ines — for PO 7741 we still need the warehouse scan to finish the match before cut-off tonight.
Could you upload it to the shared folder or confirm if the goods were not received? If we cannot post by 22:00,
I will book a small accrual and reverse it next week when the scan arrives. Please let me know which path you prefer.
Ines uploads the scan within the hour. Leo posts the invoice and adds a note: “Evidence complete — PO 7741.” He prefers one polite email with options
over three angry reminders that slow everyone down.
Comprehension · Reading C
Answer in your own words
What two types of evidence does the policy mention for high-value lines?
Which piece does Leo already have, and which is still missing?
What two paths does Leo offer if the scan cannot arrive before 22:00?
Who responds, and how quickly?
What does Leo write in his note after posting?
What attitude does the text say Leo prefers over “three angry reminders”?
Teacher answers · Reading C
Signed delivery note and warehouse scan (both as evidence).
Has the signed delivery note; missing warehouse scan.
Upload scan / confirm if goods not received; or he will book a small accrual and reverse next week when scan arrives (accept paraphrases).
Ines; within the hour.
Evidence complete — PO 7741 (accept close paraphrase).
One polite email with options (calm, professional approach).
Vocabulary
New words (with Spanish)
These words appear in the readings and tasks. Light finance wording only.
variance
A difference between two numbers or reports that should match.
Spanish: discrepancia / variación
reconcile
To compare two sets of records and explain or fix differences.
Spanish: conciliar
cut-off
The deadline after which a period is closed or no more entries are allowed.
Spanish: fecha límite de cierre / corte
evidence
Documents or data that support a balance, payment, or decision.
Spanish: evidencia / comprobante / respaldo
subledger
A detailed ledger that rolls up to the general ledger (e.g. payables detail).
Spanish: submayor / auxiliar
accrual
An accounting entry for an expense or revenue that belongs in this period even if cash moves later.
Spanish: devengo / provisión (context-dependent)
outstanding
Still open, unpaid, or not finished.
Spanish: pendiente / por liquidar
sign-off
Formal approval that a task, figure, or document is correct.
Spanish: aprobación formal / visto bueno
Practice
Use the new language
Drag and drop the best word
Complete each sentence with the most natural workplace word.
We still have one Drop answer invoice on the list.
Please upload the delivery note as Drop answer before audit reviews the file.
Can you help me Drop answer the subledger to the GL total?
The small Drop answer is documented in the close note.
No new journals after the Drop answer time unless finance approves.
We posted a temporary Drop answer until the receipt arrives.
Teacher idea: state the impact, offer options, and ask for evidence or a timeline without personal blame.
Speaking (pairs or self)
Say it aloud
Scenario A
You are Nadia’s colleague. Explain the EUR 120 variance in three sentences: what matches, what you checked, what you need from GL—and a time.
Scenario B
You cannot meet Omar’s 17:30 cut-off for one parked invoice. Practise what you will say to Omar: blocker, owner, next realistic time.
Grammar
Countable vs uncountable nouns (finance context)
Choose the better option. Write it on paper if you are not typing here.
We need more evidences. / We need more evidence.
There are two outstanding accruals. / There are two outstanding accrual.
Please send all the informations. / Please send all the information.
We have a small variance. / We have a small variances.
Teacher answers
We need more evidence.
There are two outstanding accruals.
Please send all the information.
We have a small variance.
Homework
Complete before the next class
Do this on paper or in a document. Try every task before you reveal the answer key.
Homework reading: bank statement line vs cash book
On Thursday morning, Yuki reconciles the main operating bank account for March. Most lines match automatically, but one bank fee of EUR 35
appears on the statement without a matching payment run in the cash book. Yuki does not assume an error in the bank’s favour. She downloads the statement detail,
checks whether the fee was announced in the bank’s monthly tariff letter, and finds a footnote: “Account maintenance fee, effective March 1.”
She prepares a short journal proposal for the GL team: debit bank charges, credit the clearing account, reference March fee cycle.
Her supervisor adds: “Attach the tariff letter page as evidence.” Yuki uploads the PDF and sets a reminder to confirm next month that the fee repeats as expected.
She closes the item before the Friday 12:00 internal deadline.
Part 1 · Questions on the homework reading
What amount does not match at first, and where does each side appear?
What does Yuki check before she proposes a journal?
What does her supervisor ask her to attach?
What is the internal deadline mentioned in the text?
What reminder does Yuki set for herself?
True or false? Yuki assumes the bank made a mistake without checking. Explain with evidence from the text.
Teacher answers · Homework reading
EUR 35 bank fee: on bank statement, not in cash book (accept paraphrases).
Statement detail; tariff letter; footnote about maintenance fee from March 1 (any two of these directions).
The tariff letter page as evidence.
Friday 12:00 (internal).
Confirm next month that the fee repeats as expected (accept paraphrases).
False — she does not assume; she investigates tariff letter and footnote.
Part 2 · Writing
Write six to eight sentences: you are Yuki emailing the GL team. Summarise the variance, the evidence you have, the proposed journal direction
(debit/credit in plain words is enough), and ask for sign-off before a time you choose (realistic).
Teacher idea · Part 2
Look for: clear EUR 35 fee, reference to statement vs cash book, mention of tariff letter PDF, simple DR/CR idea, polite deadline for sign-off.
Part 3 · Vocabulary in context
Fill the gaps with one word from today’s lesson (English only).
After close, no invoices remained __________ on my list.
We cannot post without sufficient __________ for high-value purchases.
Finance announced the __________ for new journals is 21:00 tonight.
Teacher answers · Part 3
outstanding
evidence
cut-off
Part 4 · Vocabulary extension (Spanish)
Write the Spanish equivalent or short gloss for: reconcile, variance, cut-off, evidence, accrual, subledger. Use the vocabulary cards above if needed.