Why Lease Accounting demands a smarter approach

With evolving standard like IFRS 16, FRS 102 and ASC 842, finance teams are facing increased scrutiny. Relying on spreadsheets alone introduces risk. MRI Software delivers purpose-built technology that brings control, clarity, and compliance to every stage of the lease lifecycle.

The compliance landscape has changed – Has your system?

Finance leaders understand the cost of non-compliance, yet many still rely on spreadsheets to manage lease accounting – tools that were never designed for today’s regulatory demands. With global and local standards shifting lease obligations onto the balance sheet, lease accounting has moved from a back-office task to a strategic priority, and spreadsheets are unable keep up.

To meet these challenges, finance teams need more than a manual workaround – they need a system that is accurate, auditable, and built to scale.

The risk behind the rows and columns

Spreadsheets are familiar and flexible but they hide real risks. Errors add up, audit trails disappear, and knowledge gets trapped in individual’s files. When key staff leave, so does critical knowledge.

As lease portfolios expand, including property, vehicles and equipment, spreadsheet limitations become business liabilities. Version control issues, broken formulas and lack of visibility are no longer minor problems, they can lead directly to audit findings.

Regulation is evolving and your tools should too.

IFRS 16, FRS 102 and ASC 842 have redefined lease accounting, requiring more than just accurate reporting. The standards demand a complete view of lease impacts across financial statements, backed by transparent calculations and clear documentation. For example:

• IFRS 16: Requires dynamic remeasurements of liabilities as terms and assumptions shift.
• FRS 102: Differentiates operating vs finance leases, with disclosure rules that vary by sector.
• ASC 842: Adds complexity for UK firms with US operations or investors.

Without the correct system in place, these requirements create time pressure, compliance risk and rising audit costs.

The value of a purpose-built solution

MRI’s lease accounting software is built to meet these challenges by delivering a secure, scalable platform that automates compliance and enhances financial insight.

Key capabilities include:

• Full audit trail: Every entry is tracked; every change is logged giving teams and auditors full transparency.
• ERP integration: Streamlined data flows between your lease system and core financial platforms.
• AI-powered automation: Intelligent features surface discrepancies, automate remeasurements, and ensure calculations remain compliant.
• Scalability: Whether managing 50 or 5,000 leases, across any asset class, the platform adapts with your needs.
• Instant reporting: From disclosure-ready outputs to board-level insights—generate reports in minutes, not weeks.

The result? Faster close cycles, audit-ready compliance, and more time for strategic finance.

Global Technology. Local Expertise.

MRI Software combines global reach with regional knowledge. With operations in over 170 countries, and a strong UK presence, we deliver localised support for FRS 102 and UK-specific audit requirements.

Our solutions are trusted by both public and private sector clients to maintain compliance, reduce risk, and modernise finance operations.

Why Now Is the Time to Act

Spreadsheets concentrate risk. Software distributes control.

In an environment of hybrid work, rising compliance expectations, and increasing investor demands, resilient finance systems are no longer optional – they’re essential.

Finance leaders are acting. Mid-sized UK firms, often facing the steepest compliance challenges with the leanest teams, are leading the shift towards automation. Lease accounting is emerging as an important area for digital transformation.

Whether driven by audit feedback, internal efficiency goals, or board-level reporting requirements, organisations are recognising that legacy tools no longer serve modern finance.

The Bottom Line

Spreadsheets had their place. But lease accounting has outgrown them.

It’s time to modernise. MRI Software delivers the auditable, scalable, intelligent lease accounting platform finance teams need – now and for the future.