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Critical Year-End Tasks in QuickBooks® for 2025

As businesses prepare for 2026, addressing year-end financial tasks is crucial for ensuring a seamless transition. This year, QuickBooks® Online (QBO) offers new tools and features that, alongside strategic execution, can enhance your business operations. Here's a guide on the essential tasks every accountant and small business owner should prioritize before December 31 to optimize the 2025 tax season.

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1. Systematic Reconciliation of Accounts

Start with a detailed reconciliation within QBO by navigating to Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile. Ensure your bank and credit card accounts are aligned with their respective statements, addressing any discrepancies in the Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized categories. The latest QBO features allow for early detection of unreconciled items, safeguarding against future errors.

2. Comprehensive Review of Customer and Vendor Balances

Utilize Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports to monitor outstanding invoices. Proactively communicate with customers regarding open balances and write off old and uncollectible debts as needed. Ensure vendor accounts reflect accurate entries to avoid blind spots.

3. Meticulous Year-End Reporting

Produce your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance reports covering the entire year span. Examine these for unusual entries such as negative balances or outlier transactions. Filter by class or location for precise variance analysis.

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4. Efficient 1099 and Contractor Management

Verify all contractor settings for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC filings. In QBO, go to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s to check for complete addresses, W-9s, and payment records—details vital for preventing IRS issues come January.

5. Execute Final Adjustments and Close the Books

Adjustments such as depreciation, amortization, bad debt corrections, owner draws, and retained earnings transfers are necessary. Confirm your fiscal year settings under Settings→ Advanced. To maintain reporting integrity, "close your books" and avert accidental post-adjustment changes.

6. Update Payroll and Employee Data

Especially critical for QuickBooks® Online Payroll users:

  • Complete your year-end payroll runs, including all bonuses and commissions.

  • Ensure all benefit payments and retirement contributions are duly recorded.

  • Update employee information, including addresses and W-4 changes.

  • Revise W-2 forms to eliminate errors before submission.

7. Harness New QuickBooks® Features and Automations

The 2025 updates to QuickBooks® enhance automation, categorization rules, and improve user interface accessibility. Engage with these features, particularly if utilizing QuickBooks® Online Accountant for multiple client management.

Bonus Tip: Use QuickBooks® cash flow projection or perform "budget vs. actual" comparisons to anticipate and bridge financial gaps. If 2025 had unexpected costs, reserve planning or early adjustment of estimated tax payments is advisable.

Thoroughly attending to year-end tasks—from reconciliation and reporting to tax preparation and payroll updates—can fortify your business’s financial foundation and streamline operations for 2026. A forethoughtful approach today yields significant returns tomorrow.

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