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    Year-End Accounting Checklist

    The complete year-end close, accounting cleanup, tax prep, compliance filings, and strategic review. Start in early December to hit January deadlines comfortably.

    Why this matters

    Year-end is not just a bigger monthly close. It adds tax reconciliations, 1099/W-2 issuance, state annual filings, and strategic reviews that don't happen at any other time of year.

    The January 31 deadline for 1099s and W-2s catches many businesses unprepared. Collecting W-9s throughout the year and reconciling contractor payments monthly avoids the last-minute scramble.

    Meeting with your CPA in December, before year-end, is the last chance to implement tax-planning moves for the current year. By January, most opportunities are closed.

    How to use it

    1. Start the checklist in early December.
    2. Complete the accounting sections first, everything else depends on clean books.
    3. Send W-9 requests to any contractor missing one immediately.
    4. Schedule your CPA meeting for mid-to-late December.
    5. Complete all remaining tasks by January 31 for 1099/W-2 deadlines.

    Frequently asked questions

    Want us to set this up for you?

    Our team will implement this template into your bookkeeping workflow, connect it to your accounting software, and train your team.

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