Essential Year-End QuickBooks® Online Tasks for 2025

As the year draws to a close, proactive business owners using QuickBooks® Online (QBO) should begin preparing well before December arrives. Laying the groundwork now allows for a seamless transition into the new tax year, especially with the recent updates and enhanced scrutiny by the IRS. By taking these steps in advance, you can save valuable time, mitigate risks, and set your business up for success in 2026.

1. Reconcile Accounts and Organize Transactions

Navigate to Settings → Chart of Accounts → Reconcile. Here, you can meticulously match ending balances of bank and credit card statements, scrutinize Undeposited Funds, and ensure all pending items are addressed. Take advantage of QBO’s interactive guidance, which highlights unreconciled items, ensuring you’re not caught off guard come April.

Image 2

2. Analyze Customer and Vendor Aging Reports

Generate Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports to pinpoint and resolve any uncollectible receivables or unsettled vendor invoices. Addressing these now ensures your profit and loss statement and balance sheet present accurate figures, facilitating smoother tax preparation.

3. Maximize the Enhanced Reporting Features

QBO has broadened its “Modern View” for standard reports, introducing superior filters, expedited load times, and greater customization capabilities. This means generating reports such as the Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Forecasts is more streamlined and efficient. 

Image 3

4. Implement and Monitor 1099/NEC for Contractors

For businesses hiring freelancers or contractors, access Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s. Ensure that W-9s are secured, payment thresholds are monitored, and vendors are accurately flagged within QBO. Neglecting this now could result in costly penalties in Q1.

5. Finalize Books and Confirm Fiscal Settings

Within Settings → Advanced, validate the “First month of fiscal year” setting. Proceed to issue closing balances and secure them to prevent unintended modifications. This guarantees your financial data’s integrity, offering your tax preparer a clean slate.

6. Project for 2026 and Fortify Cash-Flow Readiness

QBO’s Cash Flow projections can help strategize for January through March 2026, anticipating revenue fluctuations, tax payouts, and seasonal expenses. Preemptive planning now can offer a significant buffer, providing clarity beyond merely organizing last year’s documentation.

Image 1

7. Utilize Automation and Updated Tools

The latest QBO updates, including simplified deactivation of unused payroll items and integrated e-signature capabilities for payroll documents, can greatly enhance efficiency and minimize errors as year-end approaches. 

In conclusion, dedicating 30-60 minutes weekly to reconciling accounts, reviewing aging reports, utilizing enhanced reporting, managing contractor obligations, and setting appropriate fiscal parameters ensures a smooth start to 2026. QuickBooks® Online is more than a financial recording tool; it’s a strategic partner for future readiness.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .