Strategic enterprise management (SEM) systems attempt to bridge the gap between strategy and operations by making shareholder value the key criteria in decision-making. They provide the tools and information to monitor and manage business performance and make better decisions.

SEM is designed to improve effectiveness by providing managers with business performance monitoring, consolidation, and data warehousing intelligence capability.

Software offerings from companies such as SAP and PeopleSoft include techniques such as shareholder value management, balanced scorecard and activity-based management.

The author examines the implications of SEM for finance professionals and management accounting activities. He argues that SEM is not just another technological issue. Instead, SEM is about integrating the best practices in planning, decision-making, implementation and measurement to maximise stakeholder value.

* Describes and demystifies the workings of Strategic Enterprise Management systems
* Explains how to take a wider approach to achieve the benefits of implementing SEMs
* Explores the implications of SEM software offerings