Why rationalize accounts
Too many accounts create blind spots: more signers, more entitlements, more reconciliations, and more chances for outdated access.
Step-by-step approach
- Inventory all accounts, purposes, and volumes.
- Classify as core, legacy, restricted, or project-specific.
- Consolidate where controls and reporting improve (not just to reduce count).
- Update access: remove stale users, confirm approvers, and set limits.
- Close accounts with documented approvals and final reconciliation.
Controls to strengthen during consolidation
- Central signer policy and periodic signer review
- Entitlement review quarterly
- Alerting for user/role changes