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Essential Year-End Activities for QuickBooks® Online Users

Finishing the year with precision begins well before December’s rush. For entrepreneurs and business owners leveraging QuickBooks® Online (QBO), it’s crucial to transition from hurried, last-minute tasks to a deliberate, tax-ready approach to bookkeeping and strategy. With evolving features and heightened IRS oversight, organizing now can save valuable time, mitigate potential risks, and position you well for success in 2026.

1. Account Reconciliation and Transaction Cleanup

Navigate to Settings → Chart of Accounts → Reconcile. Harmonize your bank and credit card statements with QBO. Review Undeposited Funds and ensure all pending transactions are addressed. QBO's reconciliation guidance keeps you on track, helping avoid unpleasant surprises come April.

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2. Analyze Customer and Vendor Aging Reports

Generate Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports. Deal with any doubtful receivables and outstanding vendor invoices now. This step ensures your financial statements accurately reflect balances, streamlining tax preparation.

3. Leverage Enhanced QBO Reporting Features

QBO’s “Modern View” of standard reports now includes improved filters, faster load times, and extensive customization options. These enhancements enable more efficient generation of reports like Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Forecasts.

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4. Setup and Monitor 1099/NEC for Contractors

For businesses employing freelancers or independent contractors, access Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s. Ensure W-9 forms are collected, payment thresholds are observed, and vendors are correctly categorized in QBO. Neglecting this now could result in burdensome filings and fines in the first quarter.

5. Close Your Books and Confirm Fiscal Settings

In Settings → Advanced, verify the “First month of fiscal year” setting. Proceed to finalize closing balances and secure data against future alterations. These actions guarantee the integrity of your year-end data, delivering clean books to your tax preparer.

6. Plan for 2026 and Enhance Cash Flow Resilience

Utilize QBO’s Cash Flow projections to forecast January-March 2026 scenarios: revenue fluctuations, tax payment schedules, and seasonal expense trends. Proactive planning provides security and foresight, without merely tidying past records.

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7. Utilize Automation and Innovative Tools

Recent QBO updates introduce simpler payroll item management (inactive payroll items) and e-signatures for payroll documents, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the risk of errors during the hectic year-end period.

In essence, dedicating 30-60 minutes weekly to account reconciliation, vendor/customer aging reviews, updated reporting, contractor obligations oversight, and fiscal setting confirmations ensures you enter 2026 with assured clarity instead of chaos. QuickBooks® Online extends beyond mere transaction recording—it’s a tool for strategic foresight.

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