According to the methodology, the consolidation process is a step by step process reflected in the menu structure of Sigma : 
 
Initializing your consolidation

• Currencies and rates
• The consolidation scope and the consolidation methods
• The group structure : the ownership and the participations are given in number of shares issued and owned; the percentages (financial and control percentages) and the calculation of net interests and indirect control percentages are processed by Sigma. This approach guarantees the highest level of accuracy in the integration percentages.

> Parameters
Sigma is delivered with a standard parameter set, according to the BNB-NBB and a basis IFRS standard. It is ready to use and immediately operational.

However, if wished, the user can modify it easily : add an account, add a new journal type (IAS/IFRS for example), change the events parameters, add a new report, …

Validation functions check the overall consistency of the parameterization.

The parameterization is attached to a specific consolidation. Sigma can thus manage as many different parameters sets as necessary. This feature is particularly useful for fiduciaries who need to keep different parameters sets simultaneously.

Sigma Bundle allows the data input and validation by the subsidiaries themselves.
The use of this tool in the group improves considerably the quality of the basis information and hence reduces the data input phase. The gain for groups is very often more than 30%.

Elaborated with Excel macro’s and distributed under protected mode, Sigma Bundle is easy to use and does not require any additional software or specific installation in the subsidiary. They can easily be E-mailed.

Interface with accounting systems or Excel files allows for automatic import of data in a glance

Automatic import via dynamic SQL queries in the general ledger is also an option.  

>Local adjustments
With Sigma Bundle, the subsidiary can input adjustments at its own level.
This possibility can be used to adjust the local statutory accounts in order to be compliant with the parent company group standards or IAS/IFRS.
Local adjustments can be carried over automatically from one period to another.

>Customization
Sigma-Bundle can be customized in different ways :

• Change the chart of accounts
• Translate into different languages
• Add validation rules
• Develop additional Excel sheets with additional information : statistics, management reporting information, group procedure guide, description of the content of the accounts (can be useful for foreign subsidiaries),…

>Adjustments
Each adjustment is entered using debit/credit balanced entries, in one specific company.
They can be inputted in consolidation currency or in local currency and be converted at a specific rate.
You can even define how Sigma should carry them over in the next consolidation.

>Events
Some events happening frequently, like received dividends, transfers to reserves, differences on opening reserves, allowances paid by subsidiaries, write-off, goodwills, …can be generated automatically by Sigma, via the Events function.
However, you are free to accept or to modify them. All these adjustments can be viewed in detail.

>Consolidation
When running through the consolidation process, Sigma proceeds to:

• Currency conversion of accounts and flows for the bundles data and the adjustments
• Intercompany matching and analysis of differences
• Eliminations
• Consolidation of account balances
• Consolidation of flows

Each step can be run independantly , as often as neccesary, to obtain very fast results.

Reporting with Sigma

The reporting with Sigma has been designed to answer the widest needs of the users, from the global and synthetic information to the most detailed and focused explanation on a special item.
With Sigma, you go straight to the information you want; you don’t need to go through fastidious report definition and parameterization.

The information produced by Sigma can be classified according to three different points of view :

Audit trail of the information from the consolidated balance account or flow until the detailed debit/credit booking.
Sigma offers a standard, ready to use lay-out for most of the technical reports: journals, general ledger, intercompany differences, currency translation differences, equity reconciliation, …
For the financial communication, Sigma provides the standard BNB-NBB format for all legal reports and IAS/IFRS balance sheet. 
Customized reports can be obtained by using the report generator within Sigma or via Excel.