Year-End Accounting Tips

Year-end accounting is a critical time for businesses to ensure that their financial records are accurate and compliant. It’s a time to wrap up the current year’s financial activities while also preparing for the upcoming year. Here are some essential year-end accounting tips for businesses to consider:

1. Reconcile Your Accounts
Bank and Credit Card Accounts: Reconcile your business’s bank and credit card statements with your accounting records to ensure that there are no discrepancies.
Accounts Receivable: Review outstanding invoices and follow up with clients who have overdue payments. Write off bad debts if necessary, but ensure all collectible amounts are accounted for.
Accounts Payable: Review vendor statements and ensure all liabilities are recorded. Pay off any outstanding bills, if possible, to avoid late fees.

2. Review Financial Statements
Balance Sheet: Ensure that all asset, liability, and equity accounts are up to date.
Income Statement: Double-check that all revenue and expenses are accurately recorded. This includes checking for any unrecorded transactions and ensuring that any prepaid expenses or unearned revenue are properly adjusted.
Cash Flow Statement: Confirm that your cash flow statement reflects actual cash movements, including capital expenditures, loans, and repayments.

3. Reassess Depreciation and Asset Valuation
Fixed Assets: Review the value and depreciation of your fixed assets. Ensure that all assets are accurately listed and that depreciation is correctly accounted for.
Impairment Checks: Assess whether any assets have decreased in value and need to be written down or impaired.

4. Inventory Check
Conduct a physical inventory count if necessary, especially for businesses with inventory.
Reconcile the physical count with the records in your accounting system. Adjust for any discrepancies due to shrinkage, spoilage, or theft.
Consider using the lower of cost or market rule for inventory valuation to ensure that it is properly reported.

5. Adjust Prepaid Expenses and Accruals
Prepaid Expenses: Ensure that any prepaid expenses (such as insurance premiums or rent) are properly amortized over the period they apply to.
Accruals: Review any accrued expenses and income that have not yet been recorded, ensuring that all expenses incurred during the year are recognized.

6. Tax Planning and Deductions
Review Tax Deductions: Make sure you have taken advantage of all available tax deductions, such as business expenses, depreciation, and operating costs.
Tax Credit Eligibility: Research and apply for any available tax credits that may apply to your business (e.g., research and development credits, energy-efficient property deductions).
Retirement Plan Contributions: If applicable, contribute to employee retirement plans before year-end to reduce taxable income.

7. Review Payroll and Employee Benefits
Payroll Taxes: Ensure that all payroll taxes are filed and up to date. This includes federal, state, and local taxes.
Bonuses and Compensation: If offering bonuses or other forms of compensation, ensure they are processed in a timely manner.
Retirement Plans and Benefits: Check that any employee contributions to retirement plans or benefits are properly recorded and compliant with IRS limits.

8. Prepare for Tax Filing
Tax Forms: Ensure that all necessary tax forms, such as W-2s for employees and 1099s for contractors, are prepared and ready for distribution.
Consult a Tax Professional: If your business is complex, it’s always wise to consult with a tax professional to ensure all deductions, credits, and strategies are taken into account.

9. Create a Budget for the New Year
Use the data from your year-end financial statements to forecast your budget for the next year. This will help you plan for expenses, forecast revenue, and set goals.
Consider implementing any changes based on your year-end financial review, such as adjusting pricing, cutting costs, or reallocating resources.

10. Prepare for Audit (If Applicable)
If your business is subject to an audit, ensure all documents are organized and ready. This includes financial statements, receipts, contracts, and any other supporting documents.
Review any audit requirements specific to your industry to ensure you are in compliance.

11. Review Your Accounting Software and Processes
Ensure your accounting software is up-to-date and that all transactions have been properly recorded.
Review your internal controls and accounting processes to identify any potential improvements or inefficiencies for the upcoming year.

12. Make Necessary Adjustments for Any Significant Changes
New Business Structure or Tax Status: If you’ve made significant changes, like switching business structures (e.g., from a sole proprietorship to an LLC), make sure you adjust your accounting system accordingly.
New Regulations or Laws: Stay informed about any changes to tax laws or accounting standards that may affect your business.

13. Consider Charitable Contributions
If your business has made charitable donations during the year, make sure these are recorded correctly, as they may be tax-deductible.

14. Maintain Documentation for Future Reference
Keep detailed records and documentation for any adjustments or entries made during the year-end process. This will be helpful for future reference, tax filings, or potential audits.

By staying on top of these year-end accounting tasks, you can ensure your financials are accurate, avoid surprises during tax season, and position your business for success in the upcoming year.

Silicon Harbor Business Services is based in Mount Pleasant, SC. We provide solid, practical advice to small business owners and select individuals. We work with Quickbooks Online, Quickbooks Desktop and Quickbooks Enterprise.For a complete list of our services, reach out to our team of Business Consultants at Silicon Harbor Business Services in Mount Pleasant, SC or if you have any questions about online bookkeeping or business consultancy. We’d love to hear from you!