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Essential QuickBooks® Tasks for 2025 Year-End Success

As we plan for 2026, ensuring a smooth transition by effectively managing the year-end processes is crucial for small businesses and accountants. With ongoing updates in tax regulations and new features rolling out in QuickBooks® Online (QBO), prioritize these essential tasks before December 31 to efficiently manage your 2025 tax season.

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1. Reconcile All Financial Accounts

Avoid the chaos of unbalanced books. Navigate through Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile in QBO to match every account with its statement, verify ending balances, and resolve entries in the Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized categories. Leverage QBO’s capabilities to flag and address unreconciled transactions to avert unwelcome surprises.

2. Review Client and Vendor Balances

Generate comprehensive Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports. Send statements to clients with outstanding invoices. For overdue or uncollectible bills, deliberate on potential write-offs applying sound accounting judgment. Ensure vendor balances are accurately recorded and void of omissions.

3. Finalize Year-End Financial Reports

Compile and scrutinize your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance reports using a comprehensive full-year date range. Detect and rectify any discrepancies such as negative balances or sizeable anomalies. Utilize filters by class or location to pinpoint abnormal variances.

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4. Manage 1099 and Contractor Tracking

Confirm all contractors meet the criteria for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC. In QBO, head to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s to verify addresses, W-9s, and payment information. Addressing incomplete data now can alleviate IRS issues in January.

5. Implement Final Adjustments and Close the Books

Include crucial procedures such as depreciation, amortization, allowance for bad debts, owner draws, and transfers to retained earnings. Confirm your fiscal year settings under Settings→ Advanced, ensuring QBO recognizes the concluding period. After concluding adjustments, secure your books to prevent unintended modifications.

6. Update Payroll and Employee Information

Especially vital for QuickBooks® Online Payroll users, prepare for the year-end by:

  • Executing final payroll for the year, covering bonuses and commissions

  • Ensuring all benefits, fringe payments, and retirement contributions are correctly logged

  • Updating employee details (addresses, SSNs, W-4 changes)

  • Previewing and amending W-2 forms before filing

7. Utilize New QuickBooks® Features and Automations

Enhancements in automation, categorization rules, and interface updates were introduced in 2025. If you haven't adopted these features yet, now is the opportune moment—especially for firms utilizing QuickBooks® Online Accountant to manage a broad client base.

Pro Tip:

Take advantage of QBO’s cash-flow projection tools or conduct a “budget vs. actual” analysis to identify potential financial gaps. If unexpected costs affected your 2025 fiscal performance, consider allocating reserves or modifying estimated tax payments proactively.

Transitioning seamlessly into the new year requires strategic planning and execution. By reconciling accounts, affirming balances, completing tax forms, updating payroll data, and leveraging QuickBooks®’s evolving tools, set your enterprise up for success in 2026. Ensuring diligence now creates opportunities for future rewards.

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