Essential 2025 QuickBooks® Year-End Checklist for Businesses

As autumn paints the town, it's time for businesses and accountants to focus on concluding 2025 effectively. Ensuring a smooth transition into 2026 hinges on an efficient closure of your books. With evolving tax regulations and innovative QuickBooks® Online (QBO) features, here are the essential tasks to streamline your tax season before December 31st.

1. Reconcile Financial Accounts Thoroughly

Ensure a complete reconciliation of all bank and credit card accounts by accessing Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile. Confirm ending balances and manage transactions in Undeposited Funds and Uncategorized categories. Use QBO's flagging feature to identify and resolve unreconciled items promptly.

2. Audit Customer and Vendor Balances

Run Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports to identify overdue accounts. Communicate with customers about outstanding invoices and adjust uncollectible debts appropriately. Conduct a vendor balance review to ensure all entries are accurately captured.

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3. Prepare and Finalize Key Reports

Generate comprehensive Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance reports for the full year. Identify unusual patterns, such as negative balances or anomalous entries, and apply filters by class or location to uncover any significant variances.

4. Streamline 1099 and Contractor Processes

Verify all contractors’ details for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC forms using Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s. Ensure addresses, W-9s, and payment records are complete to avoid January IRS issues.

5. Execute Final Adjustments and Secure Your Books

Finalize adjustments such as depreciation, amortization, bad debt, owner draws, and retained earnings. Verify your fiscal year settings under Settings→ Advanced, then secure your books to prevent future changes.

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6. Confirm Payroll and Employee Data

If using QuickBooks® Online Payroll, ensure the accuracy of the final payroll run, which includes bonuses and commissions. Verify and update employee details, such as addresses and SSNs, and review W-2 forms for precision before filing.

7. Embrace QuickBooks® Innovations

QuickBooks® has introduced several updates that enhance automation and rule-based categorizations. Leverage these improvements now, especially if managing multiple clients through QuickBooks® Online Accountant.

Bonus Insight: Utilize QBO’s cash flow forecasting tools or conduct a budget vs. actual analysis. This insight can guide adjustments to reserves or tax estimates if 2025 brought unexpected financial developments.

Avoid last-minute rushes by maintaining diligence with account reconciliations, balance verifications, tax preparation, and embracing the newest QuickBooks® features. These steps ensure a seamless transition to 2026, setting your business up for a productive new year.

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