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Essential QuickBooks® Year-End Checklist for 2025

As the vibrant fall leaves make way for winter, our thoughts naturally turn towards planning for 2026. For small businesses and their accountants, closing out 2025 accurately in QuickBooks® Online (QBO) is crucial for setting a strong financial foundation for the year ahead. As tax regulations shift and new QuickBooks® Online features are introduced, here’s a targeted checklist to navigate before December 31, ensuring a smooth transition into tax season.

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1. Reconcile Accounts Meticulously

Leave no transactions unchecked. Head to Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile in QBO, aligning each account with its statement, verifying ending balances, and addressing items in Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized accounts. Leverage QBO’s capabilities to flag unreconciled transactions as a means of preempting year-end surprises.

2. Scrutinize Customer and Vendor Balances

Deploy aged reporting: specifically Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging. Distribute statements to clients with pending invoices. For bills that seem uncollectible, consider writing them off judiciously. Stay on top of vendor balances to ensure all entries are captured accurately.

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3. Generate Comprehensive Year-End Reports

Run full-year Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance reports. Scrutinize for any irregularities like negative balances or excessive entries. Utilize filters by classification or location to detect unusual variances and maintain reporting integrity.

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4. Ensure 1099 and Contractor Compliance

Verify that all contractor records are marked appropriately for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC. Through Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s in QBO, validate addresses, W-9s, and all payments. Completing this groundwork now prevents IRS complications in January.

5. Execute Final Adjustments and Book Closures

Adjustments such as depreciation, amortization, bad debt, owner draws, and retained earnings need to be finalized. Reaffirm your fiscal year settings under Settings→ Advanced to avoid cross-year entries. Once done, "close your books" to lock in changes and secure your records.

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6. Update Payroll and Employee Records Thoroughly

Critical for those utilizing QuickBooks® Online Payroll. As the year ends, ensure:

  • Final payroll, inclusive of bonuses and commissions, is processed
  • All benefits, fringe benefits, and retirement contributions are correctly documented
  • Employee details, such as addresses and SSNs, are current
  • W-2 forms are reviewed and corrected before filing

7. Embrace New QuickBooks® Enhancements

With 2025, new automation features and categorization rule refinements were unveiled. Optimize these tools, especially if you manage multiple clients with QuickBooks® Online Accountant. Consider QBO’s cash-flow projections or "budget vs. actual" tools to predict fiscal gaps and establish reserves or adjust tax estimates proactively if 2025 revealed unplanned expenses or diminished revenues.

Treat year-end preparation with diligence rather than urgency. By proactively reconciling accounts, verifying balances, preparing tax documentation, and utilizing updates in QuickBooks®, your business can glide into 2026 with confidence. Thoughtful planning now ensures security and success in the future.

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