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GATHER.nexus: Glossary of Key Terms

Updated: August 29, 2025

Updated over a month ago

Core Platform Terms

Aggregation
The simple arithmetic sum of financial data (P&L or Balance Sheet) by Company.

  • Provides the raw financials before consolidation adjustments (journals and eliminations).

Company
A Xero or QuickBooks company/legal entity.

GATHER Platform
Multi-entity financial management platform with modules for Group Financial Reporting, Planning, and Intercompany Control.

  • Purpose: Replaces multiple spreadsheets/software and reduces manual workflows across group structures.

Group
A holding company with its subsidiaries, consolidated for financial reporting.

  • Example: A holding company with subsidiaries in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada.

Group Class
A reporting layer combining one or more Xero Tracking Categories and/or QuickBooks Classes.

  • Use Case: Segment reporting by regions, departments, or business units across the group.

Group Reporting Template (GRT)
A standardized Profit & Loss or Balance Sheet format for group reporting.

  • Users map underlying ledgers into the template (manual or AI-assisted).

  • Options: Industry, GAAP templates, or custom structures.


Data & Sync Terminology

Entity Sync
The automated process that pulls trial balances and transactional data from Xero or QuickBooks into GATHER.nexus.

  • Runs daily or on demand.

  • Ensures Working Papers and reports reflect current financials.

Mapping Status
A real-time indicator showing how many entity accounts are mapped vs. unmapped to the Group Reporting Template (e.g., “120 mapped | 15 unmapped”).

  • Provides visibility into consolidation readiness.

Consolidated vs. Aggregated Data

  • Aggregated = raw sum of entity results, pre-adjustment.

  • Consolidated = after eliminations, FX adjustments, and journals.

  • Clear distinction helps users reconcile balances.


Currency Terminology

Group Reporting Currency (GRC)
The base currency for group financial reporting.

  • FX Treatment:

    • P&L → Translated at monthly average rate

    • Balance Sheet → Translated at month-end closing rate

Presentation Currency (RPC)
Reports can be re-translated from GRC into a different presentation currency.

  • Use Case: Report internally in USD but present to UK investors in GBP.

  • Efficiency: Change reporting currency without rebuilding report structures.


Journals Terminology

Consolidation Journals
Adjustments applied between aggregated data and consolidated results.

  • Types:

    • Balance Sheet Journals → Debits/credits within Balance Sheet

    • P&L Journals → Debits/credits within Profit & Loss

    • Linked Journals → Affect both Balance Sheet and P&L

  • Can be manual or automatic.

  • Stacked Journals: Carry forward Balance Sheet entries automatically; P&L entries apply only to the chosen period.

Auto Journals
Automated elimination journals for recurring intercompany transactions (e.g., management fees, royalties).

  • Continue until a stop date is set.

Manual Journals
User-entered journals, flexible for one-off adjustments.

  • Types: Balance Sheet, P&L, or Linked Journals.

Profit and Loss Journals

  • Standard Journal → One-off entry in a P&L period.

  • Recurring Journal (Fixed) → Repeats each period without changes.

  • Recurring Journal (Draft/Update) → Repeats but remains editable before publishing.

  • Note: Recurring Journals apply only to P&L, not Balance Sheet or Linked Journals.

Reversing Journal
Automatically reverses in the following period.

  • Works for Balance Sheet and Linked Journals.

  • Prevents carryover of temporary adjustments.

  • Example: Intercompany sales elimination in June automatically reverses in July.


Foreign (FX) Journals

Auto FX 1
Aligns P&L earnings with Balance Sheet earnings by adjusting translation differences.

  • Posts offset to FX Differences in Reserves (1).

Auto FX 2
Adjusts imbalances from intercompany transactions involving different local currencies.

  • Moves variances below PAT in the Consolidated P&L and into FX Differences in Reserves (2).

  • Maintains separate accounts for FX Differences (1) and (2) to ensure audit clarity.


Reporting & Governance

Reporting Cadence
Defines how often consolidated reports are completed: monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual.

Working Papers
Digital working papers within GATHER to document consolidation work.

  • Include: underlying company data, applied consolidation journals, FX adjustments, and supporting notes.

Notes
Explanatory text boxes attached to consolidations, reports, or journals.

  • Provide audit documentation and commentary for stakeholders.

  • Stored with Working Papers for compliance.

Audit Trail
Automatic log of actions taken (journal postings, completions, edits).

  • Captures user, timestamp, and details.

  • Ensures governance and accountability.

Completion / Sign-Off
The process of locking a consolidation period after review.

  • Prevents further journal entries.

  • Supports audit integrity.


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