Key QuickBooks® Tasks for a Seamless Year-End 2025

As we close in on the year 2026, ensuring your financial records are in pristine order is paramount for both small business owners and professional accountants. With an ever-evolving landscape of tax regulations and new QuickBooks® Online (QBO) features, prioritizing certain tasks by December 31 can significantly ease your 2025 tax season.

1. Reconciliation of Bank and Credit Accounts

Avoid financial discrepancies by utilizing Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile. Ensure all accounts align with their statements, validate ending balances, and address any entries in the Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized categories. QBO's advanced tools now flag unreconciled transactions, mitigating future surprises. Image 1

2. Analyze Customer and Vendor Balances

Generate aging reports like Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging. Promptly dispatch statements to clients with pending invoices. Evaluate overdue bills for potential write-offs, exercising sound accounting discretion. Also, scrutinize vendor balances for omitted entries.

3. Finalization of Year-End Financial Reports

Compile and scrutinize your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance reports over the full fiscal year. Identify any irregularities such as negative balances or disproportionately large transactions. Use class or location filters to detect unusual variations. Image 2

4. Ensure Accuracy in 1099 & Contractor Information

Verify all contractor details for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC compliance. Navigate to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s within QBO to confirm addresses, W-9s, and payment records, avoiding potential IRS complications come January.

5. Execute Final Adjustments and Secure Book Closing

Address adjustments involving depreciation, amortization, bad debt, owner draws, and retained earnings. In Settings→ Advanced, confirm fiscal year settings to inform QBO of the closing period. Once adjustments are made, ensure books are closed to prevent unauthorized alterations.

6. Update Payroll and Employee Data

Crucial for users of QuickBooks® Online Payroll, accomplish the following before year’s end:

  • Disburse final payroll, covering bonuses and commissions

  • Verify proper recording of benefits, fringe payments, and retirement contributions

  • Review and refresh employee information (e.g., addresses, Social Security numbers, W-4 revisions)

  • Pre-audit and correct W-2 forms prior to submission

7. Capitalize on New QuickBooks® Automations

This year, QuickBooks® introduced enhancements in automation, categorization rules, and user interface. Adopt these features now, especially for firms using QuickBooks® Online Accountant to manage multiple clients. Image 3

Bonus Insight: Utilize QBO’s cash flow projection tools or perform a "budget vs. actual" analysis to identify financial gaps. Unforeseen expenses or diminished revenue in 2025 may necessitate reserves or early adjustments to estimated tax payments.

Approach year-end not as a stressful dash, but as a strategic wrap-up. By diligently reconciling accounts, validating balances, completing tax documentation, updating payroll information, and leveraging QuickBooks®' latest features, you set the stage for a seamless and prosperous 2026. This conscientious approach now can yield substantial dividends later.

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