A clean close is what separates beginners from pros. Here’s a quick SOP you can run each month to catch errors before reports go out:
- Check reconciliations – Make sure every bank and credit card account is reconciled through month-end.
- Review liabilities – Payroll taxes, loans, and sales tax payable should match statements.
- Scan for anomalies – Look for negative balances, large swings, or “Ask My Accountant” categories.
- Final reports – Generate P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow for your review file.
Template Checklist:
- Reconciliations ✔
- Payroll ✔
- Loans ✔
- Sales tax ✔
- P&L, BS, CF ✔
KPI: Days to Close (target = 10 days or less after month-end).
Next Action: ✅ Run this review on one client this week and log how long it takes you. Track if you can get under 15 minutes.