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Crucial Year-End QuickBooks® Online Tasks Before December

Preparation is key to a smooth year-end close, and the groundwork begins well before December for QuickBooks® Online (QBO) users. Transitioning from last-minute hustles to organized, tax-ready accounting is vital. In light of recent features and IRS vigilance, prepping ahead of time not only saves you hours but also mitigates risks as you gear up for 2026.

1. Reconcile Accounts and Clean Up Transactions

Navigate to Settings → Chart of Accounts → Reconcile. It’s crucial to align your final bank and credit card statements. Double-check Undeposited Funds and ensure all pending items are reconciled. QBO's system flags unreconciled entries, ensuring a seamless experience come tax season.

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2. Assess Customer & Vendor Aging Reports

Generate Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Aging reports. Tackle any dubious receivables and unresolved vendor dues now, ensuring your profit-and-loss and balance sheet display true values and avoid tax preparation delays.

3. Utilize Enhanced Reporting Features

With QBO's "Modern View" updates, enjoy enhanced filters, quicker loading times, and greater customization. Leverage these features to produce reports like Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Forecasts more adeptly.  

4. Organize and Monitor 1099/NEC for Contractors

For those utilizing freelancers or independent contractors, visit Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s. Ensure W-9 forms are collected, payment thresholds adhered to, and QBO properly identifies vendors. Overseen steps here could result in troublesome filings and fines in Q1.

5. Finalize the Books & Set Fiscal Parameters

Under Settings → Advanced, validate the "First month of fiscal year". Proceed to issue closure balances and secure changes to safeguard your year-end data and deliver untampered books to your tax advisor.

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6. Plan for 2026: Strengthen Cash-Flow Projections

Leverage QBO's Cash Flow predictions to envisage January-March 2026. Consider potential revenue gaps, scheduled tax payments, and periodic cost surges, providing a cushion and foresight, not merely a cleanup of the previous year's data.

7. Embrace Automation and Innovative Tools

QBO's recent upgrades offer simpler inactive payroll item management and e-signature capabilities for payroll files. These functionalities enhance operational efficiency and minimize error risks as the year closes.  

In summary, dedicating 30-60 minutes weekly for account reconciliation, vendor/customer aging review, executing advanced reports, monitoring contractor duties, and securing your closing settings sets you on course for entering 2026 with confidence—not confusion. Remember, QuickBooks® Online is more than just a transaction recorder; it's a tool for strategic foresight.

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