1. Stop the “shoebox” system.
You know the one - the pile of receipts in your glove box, purse, or inbox.
Start uploading receipts as you go, or use an app like Hubdoc or Zoho Expense to save them right away.
It saves hours of detective work later (and might even save you from missing deductible expenses).
2. Reconcile before you relax.
Don’t wait until January to start reconciling your bank and credit card accounts.
If you stay current through November, December becomes a quick wrap-up instead of a full-on scramble.
Plus, you’ll spot any missing transactions or duplicates while they’re still easy to fix.
3. Confirm your vendor and customer info.
Make sure all addresses, W-9s, and 1099-eligible vendors are up to date.
It’s a small step now that saves big headaches later when you’re trying to meet tax deadlines.
4. Clean up those “Ask My Accountant” mysteries.
We all have them - that expense you swore you’d remember later.
Go through your transactions now while the details are still fresh.
Future-you (and your bookkeeper) will thank you.
5. Get payroll details right.
Double-check that all employee information is correct and bonuses are documented properly.
If you pay yourself, make sure owner draws and distributions are recorded in the right accounts.
6. Review your Profit First allocations.
If you use Profit First, review your accounts before your Q4 distribution.
This is a great time to celebrate progress, but also to make small adjustments before the new year.
Taking care of these now means you can actually enjoy your holidays - instead of spending January trying to piece together what happened back in September.
Seem overwhelming?
CFO Accounting Services can help you close out your books with confidence and start 2026 on the right foot.
