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Essential Year-End QuickBooks® Checkpoints for 2025

As autumn leaves carpet the ground, forward-thinking small businesses and accountants recognize the critical importance of closing the financial books effectively for 2025. Proper closure not only positions you favorably for the upcoming tax season but also establishes a solid foundation for 2026. As tax policies evolve and QuickBooks® Online (QBO) enhancements unfold, here are the pivotal tasks to complete before the year wraps up.

1. Reconcile All Financial Accounts

Avoid discrepancies and ensure accuracy by utilizing Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile. Attentively match each account to its corresponding statement, verify ending balances, and address transactions in Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized categories. Harness QBO's capabilities to highlight unreconciled entries, minimizing surprises down the road.

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2. Audit Customer and Vendor Balances

Generate aging reports: Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging. Send reminders to customers with pending payments. For uncollectible debts, consider accounting for them as write-offs. Additionally, review vendor accounts for overlooked transactions.

3. Finalize Essential Year-End Reports

Compile and scrutinize your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance under a full-year perspective. Identify any irregularities such as negative accounts or outsized transactions. Leverage class and location filters to identify unexpected variances.

4. 1099 and Contractor Management

Ensure contractors are accurately designated for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC filings. Navigate to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s in QBO to verify addresses, W-9s, and payments. Rectifying data issues now averts IRS-related issues in the approaching months.

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5. Execute Final Adjustments and Book Closure

Adjustments such as depreciation, amortization, write-offs, owner compensations, and retained earnings should be made. Validate your fiscal year settings within Settings→ Advanced to ensure QBO aligns with your fiscal calendar. Seal your books post-adjustments to prevent unintended alterations.

6. Optimize Payroll and Employee Records

For those utilizing QuickBooks® Online Payroll, the year-end checklist includes:

  • Executing year-end payroll, incorporating bonuses and commissions

  • Ensuring accuracy of benefits, additional payments, and retirement contributions

  • Verifying and updating employee information (e.g., addresses, SSNs)

  • Pre-validating W-2 forms for submission

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7. Harness New QuickBooks® Innovations and Automations

With 2025 introducing advancements in automation and categorization rules, as well as interface enhancements, take advantage of these features, especially if you manage multiple clients via QuickBooks® Online Accountant.

Bonus Insight:

Utilize QBO’s cash-flow forecasting or conduct “budget versus actual” analyses to identify financial discrepancies. For unexpected expenses or shortfalls in 2025, plan reserves or adjust estimated tax remittances promptly.

Avoid the frenzy often associated with year-end tasks. By executing a thorough reconciliation, verifying financial balances, handling tax paperwork diligently, updating payroll, and utilizing the latest QuickBooks® features, you set the stage for a more predictable and prosperous 2026.

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