Explanation
The reason why years should be consolidated sequentially; i.e., first 2018, then 2019, then 2020, is to ensure that rollforward calculations are correct. Rollforward calculations are calculations that track the changes in balance sheet accounts from one period to another. For example, if an account has an opening balance of 100 in 2018 and a closing balance of 120 in 2018, the rollforward calculation will show a movement of 20 for
2018. If the same account has a closing balance of 150 in 2019, the rollforward calculation will show a movement of 30 for 2019. However, if the years are not consolidated sequentially, the rollforward calculations will not be accurate. For example, if 2019 is consolidated before 2018, the rollforward calculation will show a movement of -50 for 2018, which is incorrect. The other options are not reasons why years should be consolidated sequentially. Parent account calculations do not depend on the sequencing, each period in the year does not need to consolidate separately, and there is a reason to consolidate years sequentially. References: Oracle Financial Consolidation and Close 2023 Implementation Essentials Study Guide, page 24; [Oracle Financial Consolidation and Close Cloud Service Administrator's Guide], page 5-7.