Results
Length of the close
- Days to close
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- Critical tasks
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- Tasks with float
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- What-if days to close
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- Days gained
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- Critical path
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Calculator Library / Finance
Close Calendar Critical Path Calculator
Find the critical path of your month-end close, see which tasks have float, and test whether shortening a task would actually shorten the close.
Tool
List the close tasks, durations, and what each waits for
Duration = the longest chain of dependent tasks (the critical path)
| ID | Task | Duration (business days) | Starts after (IDs, comma separated) | Earliest start | Earliest finish | Float |
|---|
What if a task were shorter?
Use the task ID letters in the "starts after" column, for example "B,D". Data saves in this browser only and nothing is sent to a server.
Schedule
Close calendar
Instructions
How to use this app
- List each close task with its duration in business days, and the tasks that must finish before it can start.
- Read the critical path. Only shortening tasks on it shortens the close.
- Use the what-if to test an improvement, such as reconciling continuously. If the total does not change, another path is also critical.
- Check the float of the non-critical tasks. A task with little float can become critical if it slips.
- Keep controls in place. Speed gained by dropping reviews is risk, not improvement.
What This Close Calendar Critical Path Calculator Helps You Decide
This calculator finds the critical path of a month-end close: the longest chain of dependent tasks, which sets the number of days. You list the tasks, their durations, and what each waits for, and it shows the earliest start and finish of each task, the float, and a Gantt chart.
The what-if lets you test an improvement before you invest in it. If a shortened task is not on the only critical path, the close does not get shorter, and the calculator says so.
How It Works
| Measure | Rule | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Earliest start | The latest earliest-finish among the task's predecessors (zero if none) | When the task can begin. |
| Earliest finish | Earliest start + duration | When it can end. |
| Days to close | The largest earliest finish | Length of the critical path. |
| Float | Latest start − earliest start | How long a task can slip without delaying the close. |
Worked Example: The 9-Day Close
The pre-loaded close has eight tasks, and the critical path A, B, D, E, F, G, H gives 9 business days; both AP and AR reconciliations (B) and inventory and fixed assets (D) are critical, and payroll and accruals (C) has 2 days of float. The what-if is set to save 2 days on B. The total stays at 9 days, because D still takes 3 days, and the tool explains that another path is also critical.
Now cut D to 2 days as well, and the total falls to 8. Then cut review (F) to 1 day, and it falls to 7. The example shows that improving one of two parallel critical tasks alone gains nothing.
Limits and Good Practice
- The model assumes tasks start as soon as their predecessors finish and that resources are not limiting. If one person does two parallel tasks, they are not really parallel.
- Durations are single estimates. Real tasks vary, so treat the result as a plan and track actual days.
- Keep controls and reviews in place. Speed gained by removing a review is risk, not improvement.
- The calculator supports up to 26 tasks, identified A to Z. Data stays in your browser.
Close Calendar Critical Path Calculator Frequently Asked Questions
What is the critical path of a close?
It is the longest chain of dependent tasks between the period end and the completed close. Its length equals the number of days to close, and any delay to a task on it delays the close. Tasks off the critical path have float, meaning they can slip a little without effect.
Why did shortening a task not shorten the close?
Usually because another task in parallel is also critical, so the close is still governed by the other path. In that case, shortening only one task gains nothing until the parallel critical task is shortened as well, which the what-if in this calculator makes visible.
How do I enter dependencies?
Each task gets a letter ID in order, A, B, C, and so on. In the starts-after column, type the IDs of the tasks that must finish first, separated by commas, for example B,D. Leave it blank for tasks that start at the beginning of the close.
Is my data stored anywhere?
No. The calculator saves your tasks in your own browser using local storage and does not send anything to a server. Use Clear all to remove them.