Essential QuickBooks® Year-End Tasks for Small Businesses in 2025

Partner with Freedom Line Accounting & Tax for a Strong Start to 2026

As 2025 winds down, smart small business owners know that closing out the year properly is more than just checking boxes—it’s setting the stage for a smoother, more profitable 2026.

At Freedom Line Accounting & Tax, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and service-based businesses wrap up their books with confidence. Whether you manage your own QuickBooks® Online (QBO) or prefer to have an expert team handle it, these key year-end tasks can make a big difference—and we’re here to help every step of the way.


1. Reconcile Your Bank & Credit Card Accounts

Don’t start the new year with loose ends. Make sure your accounts are reconciled so your books reflect reality. In QBO, go to Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile, and confirm every balance matches your bank and credit card statements.

If you find entries hanging out in “Uncategorized” or “Undeposited Funds,” now’s the time to clean them up. Not sure how to fix it? That’s where we come in—our team can help you identify and resolve discrepancies before they snowball into bigger issues.


2. Review Customer & Vendor Balances

Run your Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports to see who owes you and whom you owe. For overdue customers, send friendly reminders or decide which invoices to write off. For vendors, check for duplicate or missing payments.

Staying on top of these balances ensures healthy cash flow—something we love helping our clients strengthen year-round.


3. Run Year-End Financial Reports

Pull your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance for the year. Look for anything unusual—like negative balances or large outliers. If you use classes or locations in QBO, these filters help pinpoint inconsistencies.

At Freedom Line Accounting & Tax, we review these same reports with our clients to uncover insights, not just errors—helping you make informed decisions about the year ahead.

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4. Verify 1099s and Contractor Info

If you pay independent contractors, double-check that all information is correct for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC filings. In QBO, navigate to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s to verify W-9s, addresses, and amounts paid.

Avoid last-minute IRS headaches—our team can review your contractor setup to ensure compliance before deadlines hit.


5. Make Final Adjustments & Close the Books

This is the moment to finalize depreciation, amortization, and bad debt entries, as well as owner draws or retained earnings adjustments. Once everything looks right, lock in your data by “closing your books” in QBO.

We help clients handle these technical steps with ease, ensuring accuracy while you stay focused on running your business.


6. Refresh Payroll & Employee Data

Year-end payroll cleanup matters more than you might think. Make sure all bonuses, benefits, and retirement contributions are recorded properly. Verify employee info—addresses, SSNs, and W-4 updates—so your W-2s are accurate and on time.

Need help reconciling payroll or filing forms? Freedom Line’s payroll experts can take that off your plate.


7. Explore New QuickBooks® Features for 2026

QuickBooks® continues to roll out features designed to simplify bookkeeping—like smarter automations, improved categorization, and enhanced dashboards. We stay ahead of these updates so you don’t have to, helping our clients use the best tools for effortless bookkeeping.


Bonus Tip: Plan Ahead with Cash Flow Insights

Before the year closes, review your cash flow forecasts or run a budget vs. actual report. Identifying shortfalls or opportunities now can help you better plan for taxes and set realistic goals for 2026.

This kind of proactive financial planning is where Freedom Line truly shines. We don’t just crunch numbers—we help your business grow strategically and sustainably.

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Let’s Make 2026 Your Most Profitable Year Yet

Year-end doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right guidance and the right team, it can be an exciting opportunity to set your business up for success.

At Freedom Line Accounting & Tax, we take pride in helping small businesses thrive with smart bookkeeping, accurate reporting, and forward-thinking tax strategies. Let us take care of the numbers so you can focus on what you do best—running and growing your business.

📞 Schedule your complimentary consultation today and discover how we can help you finish 2025 strong and step confidently into 2026.

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