alt image
alt image
alt image
alt image
alt image

LEARNING CENTER

Essential QuickBooks® Online Year-End Actions for 2025

As we approach the end of the year, businesses using QuickBooks® Online (QBO) should start preparing to close out the year efficiently. With the introduction of new features and heightened IRS scrutiny, proactive year-end bookkeeping and planning can save valuable time and minimize potential risks for a seamless transition into 2026.

1. Reconcile Your Accounts and Clean Up Transactions

Navigate to Settings → Chart of Accounts → Reconcile. Ensure that your final bank and credit card statements match, diligently review all Undeposited Funds, and confirm that outstanding items are resolved. With QBO’s intuitive guidance, identifying unreconciled items has never been easier, setting you up for a hassle-free tax season.Image 1

2. Assess Customer & Vendor Aging Reports

Generate Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports. Address any overdue receivables and unpaid vendor bills promptly to ensure your profit-and-loss and balance sheet reflect accurate financial standings, thus preventing delays during tax preparation.

3. Utilize the Enhanced Reporting Features

Take advantage of QBO’s enhanced “Modern View” for standard reports. This update offers improved filters, quicker load times, and extensive customization options, enabling efficient extraction of critical reports like Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Forecasts.Image 2

4. Set Up and Monitor 1099/NEC for Contractors

If your business utilizes freelancers or independent contractors, go to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s. Verify the collection of W-9 forms, monitor payment thresholds, and ensure QBO properly identifies vendors eligible for 1099s. Skipping this step could result in costly penalties during Q1.

5. Finalize the Books & Confirm Fiscal Settings

Within Settings → Advanced, verify your fiscal year's first month. Subsequently, finalize closing balances and lock down data for security. This ensures data integrity and provides your tax preparer with clean, unaltered books.

6. Project for 2026 and Build Cash Flow Resilience

Utilize QBO’s Cash Flow projections to foresee the financial landscape from January to March 2026, accounting for anticipated revenue drops, tax schedules, and seasonal cost increases. Preparing early enhances clarity and financial readiness for the new year.Image 3

7. Embrace Automation and New Tools

Explore QBO’s latest enhancements, including simplified pay item clean-up and integrated e-signatures for payroll documents. These tools optimize efficiency and accuracy, mitigating risks associated with year-end complexities.

In conclusion, dedicating 30-60 minutes each week to reconciling accounts, reviewing aging reports, generating streamlined reports, monitoring contractor obligations, and ensuring accurate closing settings prepares you confidently for 2026. QuickBooks® Online is designed not only for recording transactions but also for achieving strategic financial foresight.

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 .

Get In Touch With Cherokee CPA

You can count on us for professional, timely, and reliable tax and accounting services. If you’re ready to get started, just fill out this form and we’ll be in touch.

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 .
I consent to receive SMS messages and agree with the