As the year winds down, most business owners and individuals start thinking about wrapping up their financials. While you might be focused on holiday plans or setting goals for the new year, your accountant is getting ready to close out the books and file tax returns.
To make that process smoother and avoid last-minute scrambling, it’s helpful to gather everything your accountant will need ahead of time. Here’s a practical checklist to help you stay organized and get your financial house in order before the year officially ends.

1️ Financial Statements

Your accountant will need a complete and up-to-date set of financial statements, including:

• Profit and Loss Statement (Income Statement)
  Shows your income, expenses, and net profit over the year.
• Balance Sheet
  Lists your company’s assets, liabilities, and equity at year-end.
• Cash Flow Statement
  Tracks cash moving in and out of your business.

If you’re using accounting software, be sure to reconcile your accounts and generate these reports for your accountant.

2️ Bank and Credit Card Statements

Make sure you have copies of your business bank statements, credit card statements, and any loan documents covering the entire fiscal year. It’s important that these are fully reconciled so your accountant can confirm your records match the actual bank figures.

3️ Receipts and Invoices

Keep organized records of all receipts for expenses and sales invoices issued throughout the year. Even in the digital age, having clean and accessible documentation matters in case of audits or discrepancies.

• Sales invoices
• Purchase receipts
• Vendor bills
• Travel and entertainment expenses

If you use a receipt management app, double-check that all uploads and entries are complete.

4️ Payroll Records

Provide your accountant with detailed payroll records, including:

• Employee pay stubs
• Year-to-date payroll summaries
• Tax withholdings
• Benefits and deductions
• W-2 and 1099 records for contractors and employees

This ensures that employee tax filings are handled correctly and on time.

5️ Asset Purchase and Depreciation Details

If you purchased or sold any fixed assets (like equipment, vehicles, or property) during the year, share the purchase or sale details. Your accountant will need:

• Date of purchase or sale
• Amount paid or received
• Depreciation schedules for existing assets

This information helps calculate accurate depreciation expenses and capital gains or losses.

6️ Loan Statements and Agreements

Provide year-end statements for any loans your business has. These should include:

• Opening and closing balances
• Interest paid
• Remaining loan term

It’s also good to send over any new loan agreements signed during the year.

7️ Inventory Count (If Applicable)

If your business carries inventory, your accountant will need an accurate count as of year-end. This affects both your cost of goods sold (COGS) and your balance sheet figures.

Final Thoughts

Getting your documents in order ahead of year-end not only saves time but also reduces the chances of errors and missed deductions. It helps your accountant file accurate, timely returns and gives you a clearer picture of your financial position heading into the new year.