S.C.E. On Paradise Coast reposted this
Basic Accounting Month End Closing Checklist: 1. Bank Reconciliation: •Review and reconcile bank statements. •Verify outstanding checks and deposits. 2. Journal Entries: •Record adjusting entries for accruals and deferrals. •Update depreciation for fixed assets. •Adjust prepaid expenses and unearned revenue. 3. Accounts Receivable: •Reconcile accounts receivable. •Verify the allowance for doubtful accounts. 4. Accounts Payable: •Reconcile accounts payable. •Confirm the accuracy of recorded expenses. 5. Payroll: •Review payroll transactions for accuracy. •Confirm tax withholdings and other deductions. 6. Fixed Assets: •Update fixed asset registers. •Record disposals or additions to fixed assets. 7. Inventory: •Verify physical inventory against recorded amounts. •Adjust inventory levels as needed. 8. Liabilities: •Confirm all liabilities are recorded. •Reconcile outstanding loans or credit balances. 9. Expense Review: •Review all expenses for accuracy and proper classification. •Confirm that all incurred expenses are recorded. 10. Revenue Recognition: • Confirm proper recognition of revenue. • Review deferred revenue and recognized as appropriate. 11. Financial Statements: • Generate financial statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement). 12. Analysis: • Analyze financial statements for trends and anomalies. • Conduct variance analysis against budget/forecast. 13. Closing Entries: • Close temporary accounts (e.g., revenue, expenses) to retained earnings at the year end closing. 14. Documentation: • Ensure all supporting documentation is filed appropriately. • Maintain a clear audit trail for all transactions. 15. Backup and Security: • Backup financial data and store it securely. • Review access controls and restrict as necessary. 16. Final Review: • Perform a final review of the entire closing process. • Confirm all necessary steps have been completed accurately. 17. Reporting: • Share financial reports with relevant stakeholders. • Address any queries or concerns. 18. Compliance: • Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations. • Document any changes in accounting policies or practices. 19. Future Planning: • Identify areas for process improvement. • Plan for upcoming months and potential challenges. 20. Audit Preparation: • Prepare for internal or external audits. • Document any issues or areas of concern for follow-up.