Essential Year-End QuickBooks Tasks for Businesses in 2025

Efficiently wrapping up your fiscal year before December is critical for business owners utilizing QuickBooks® Online (QBO). It’s time to elevate your bookkeeping beyond last-minute panic and towards structured, tax-friendly practices. With QBO's new capabilities and heightened IRS vigilance, pre-year-end preparation can streamline processes, mitigate risks, and position your business for a successful 2026.

1. Reconcile and Tidy Up Transactions

Navigate to Settings → Chart of Accounts → Reconcile. Aim to match your bank and credit card statement endings, scrutinize Undeposited Funds, and verify that all outstanding items are resolved. QBO’s detailed view helps highlight unresolved items, ensuring you aren’t surprised come April.

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2. Analyze Your Aging Reports

Execute Accounts Receivable and Payable Aging reports. Promptly address uncollectible invoices and overdue vendor bills—this ensures your profit-and-loss and balance sheet figures are precise and won’t hinder tax preparation.

3. Harness Enhanced Reporting Tools

QBO’s “Modern View” enhancements offer improved filters, faster retrieval, and increased customization. Efficiently generate critical reports such as Profit & Loss, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow projections. 

4. Organize 1099/NEC for Contractors

For entities engaging freelancers or contractors, head to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s. Ensure W-9 collections are complete, payment tracking is consistent, and vendor flags in QBO are accurate to avoid costly penalties and delays in Q1.

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5. Finalize Books & Verify Fiscal Settings

In Settings → Advanced, validate your “First month of fiscal year”. Establish closing balances and secure your data against accidental modifications, ensuring clean records for your tax advisor.

6. Plan for 2026 & Strengthen Cash Flow

Leverage QBO’s Cash Flow projections to prepare for Q1 2026: anticipate revenue fluctuations, tax obligations, and seasonal expenses. Early preparation provides financial security and improves future planning.

7. Utilize New Automation Tools

Take advantage of QBO’s upgrades such as pay item cleanup and e-signatures for payroll documents. These advancements boost operational efficiency and minimize errors as the year closes. 

Ultimately, dedicating 30-60 minutes weekly now to reconcile records, evaluate aging reports, leverage enhanced reporting, and verify fiscal settings ensures a streamlined transition into 2026. QuickBooks® Online is not merely an accounting tool but a strategic ally in your business’s financial planning.

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