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Key QuickBooks® Tasks to Wrap Up 2025 Seamlessly

As the year winds down and businesses start strategizing for 2026, ensuring a smooth transition is critical. At GeneralCents Accounting, we understand that closing out the fiscal year with precision helps set the stage for future success. Navigating evolving tax regulations and newly introduced QuickBooks® Online (QBO) features, this guide outlines essential tasks to expedite your end-of-year processes and streamline tax season in 2025.

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1. Reconcile Bank & Credit Card Accounts

Leaving no financial stones unturned is crucial. Under Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile, align each account with corresponding statements, verify ending balances, and categorize transactions in Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized sections. QBO now highlights unreconciled items to avert fiscal discrepancies.

2. Audit Customer & Vendor Balances

Generate Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports. Prompt customers with outstanding balances via statements. For uncollectible accounts, consider appropriate accounting practices for writing them off. Additionally, review vendor balance sheets for overlooked entries.

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3. Compile Year-End Reports

Examine Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance summaries for the annual span. Detect inconsistencies such as unusual entries or negative figures by filtering reports by class or location.

4. Manage 1099 and Contractor Data

Ensure contractor classifications for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC are accurate. Navigate to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s in QBO to verify W-9s, addresses, and transactions to avoid IRS issues in January.

5. Make Year-End Adjustments & Secure Books

Account for depreciation, amortization, bad debt recovery, and owner equity distributions. Confirm fiscal year settings under Settings → Advanced for correct period recognition. Post-adjustments, "close your books" to secure data integrity.

6. Refresh Payroll and Employee Information

If using QuickBooks® Online Payroll, finalize payroll tasks before year-end:

  • Complete payroll runs including bonuses and commissions

  • Ensure benefits, fringe payments, and retirement records are accurate

  • Review employee details (addresses, SSNs, W-4 updates)

  • Verify and correct W-2 forms pre-submission

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7. Utilize Enhanced QuickBooks® Tools

Explore QuickBooks® 2025 updates in automation and classification rules. Implement these features, especially for QuickBooks® Online Accountant users handling multiple clients.

Extra Insight:

Leverage QBO’s cash-flow projection utilities or execute a “budget vs. actual” analysis to identify financial gaps. Set reserves or adjust estimated taxes if 2025 faced unexpected expenditures or reduced revenues.

Year-end doesn’t have to be fraught with stress. By methodically reconciling accounts, auditing balances, accomplishing tax formalities, refreshing payroll data, and embracing QuickBooks® innovations, you create a robust foundation for 2026. A disciplined approach now ensures future financial ease.

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