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Top QuickBooks® Online Year-End Strategies for 2025

As the calendar year comes to a close, businesses leveraging QuickBooks® Online (QBO) must transition smoothly from routine operations to strategic year-end readiness. By proactively addressing key financial procedures before December, business owners can reduce last-minute stress and align their operations with tax regulations and reporting enhancements. This preparation is crucial amidst evolving IRS guidelines and new QBO features that facilitate efficient, error-free bookkeeping.

1. Reconcile Accounts and Organize Transactions

First, navigate to Settings → Chart of Accounts → Reconcile. It's essential to align your bank and credit card statements, thoroughly review any undeposited funds, and verify the accuracy of unpaid items. QBO provides intuitive tools to spotlight unreconciled transactions, safeguarding you against future compliance hiccups. Image 1

2. Analyze Aging Reports for Customers and Vendors

Generate both Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Aging reports. Proactively addressing delinquent receivables and unresolved vendor bills will enable you to maintain accurate financial statements for tax purposes and prevent delays in your year-end filing. Image 2

3. Utilize Enhanced Reporting Capabilities

The "Modern View" reports in QBO have been enhanced with superior filters, accelerated load times, and enhanced customization capabilities. These new features facilitate the seamless generation of critical reports such as Profit & Loss, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow Forecasts, ensuring data accuracy and efficiency.  

4. Prepare and Track 1099/NEC for Contractors

If your business employs independent contractors, navigate to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s. Ensure all W-9s are collected, payment thresholds monitored, and that QBO categorizes vendors accurately. Performing this task early can help sidestep costly penalties and filing errors in the upcoming quarter. Image 3

5. Secure Your Financial Data by Closing the Books

Under Settings → Advanced, verify that the "First month of fiscal year" is set correctly. Proceed to finalize closing balances and lock account changes to preserve the integrity of your data, ensuring your tax preparer receives accurate and unaltered information.

6. Forecast Financial Health for 2026

Utilize QBO’s Cash Flow projections to anticipate the first quarter of 2026. This includes forecasting possible revenue fluctuations, tax liabilities, and seasonal expenses. Laying this groundwork equips your business with foresight and financial resilience.

7. Embrace Automation and QBO Innovations

Take advantage of QBO’s recent enhancements, such as improved management of inactive payroll items and the seamless integration of e-signatures for payroll processes. These developments streamline workflows and minimize errors as the fiscal year concludes.  

Ultimately, dedicating a small amount of time each week to tasks like account reconciliation, vendor/customer aging review, and reporting not only tidies last year’s records but strategically positions your business for the year ahead. QBO is more than just a tool for transaction documentation; it is a platform for achieving strategic financial readiness.

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