Essential Year-End QuickBooks Tasks for 2025

As the foliage shifts and we anticipate the arrival of 2026, it's crucial for small businesses and their accounting practitioners to expertly wrap up the current fiscal year. Properly finalizing your books for 2025 sets a robust foundation for a thriving new year. Given the dynamic nature of tax regulations and the introduction of new QuickBooks® Online (QBO) functionalities, let’s highlight the critical actions to undertake before December 31 to ensure a smooth tax season.

1. Reconcile Financial Accounts

Leave no financial detail unchecked. Navigate to Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile to meticulously align each account with its statement, affirm ending balances, and address transactions in the Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized categories. With improved QBO tools, pinpoint unreconciled items to avoid surprises.

2. Assess Customer and Vendor Balances

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Run the Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports. Issue statements to clients with outstanding invoices. Consider writing off uncollectible debts (using proper accounting judgment). Review vendor balances for any missed entries.

3. Compile and Finalize Year-End Reports

Generate key reports such as Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance for the entire year. Investigate anomalies such as negative balances or disproportionately high entries. Utilize filters by class or location to detect variances.

4. Manage 1099 and Contractor Tracking

Ensure all contractors are identified for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC. In QBO, navigate to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s to verify addresses, W-9s, and payments. Completing this data now will prevent IRS complications in January.

5. Execute Final Adjustments and Close Books

Address adjustments like depreciation, amortization, bad debt adjustments, owner draws, and transfers of retained earnings. Verify your fiscal year settings under Settings→ Advanced. Upon completion, "close your books" to prevent unintentional modifications.

6. Refresh Payroll and Employee Information

Critical for QuickBooks® Online Payroll users. Prior to year-end:

  • Execute final payroll for the year, including bonuses and commissions

  • Ensure benefits, fringe payments, and retirement contributions are recorded accurately

  • Update employee data (addresses, SSNs, W-4 modifications)

  • Pre-review and correct W-2 forms for filing

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7. Exploit New QuickBooks® Features and Automations

In 2025, QuickBooks® introduced enhancements in automation, categorization rules, and user interface improvements. Leverage these innovations now, especially for firms managing various clients through QuickBooks® Online Accountant.

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Utilize QBO’s cash-flow projection tools or perform a “budget vs. actual” analysis to identify potential financial gaps. If unforeseen expenses or lower revenue occurred in 2025, consider establishing reserves or adjusting upcoming tax payments.

Instead of a last-minute hustle, approach year-end with diligence. By properly managing accounts, verifying balances, completing tax and payroll processes, and utilizing the latest QuickBooks® features, you prime your operation for a successful 2026. Diligent effort today reaps rewards tomorrow.

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