The end of September marks the close of Quarter 3, which means the year is winding down faster than most business owners expect. While it may feel like there’s still plenty of time before tax season, now is actually the best moment to get ahead on your bookkeeping. A little preparation in the fall can save you hours of stress in December and January.
Whether you’re a Brunswick, GA business owner, based along the coastal Georgia region, or running your company from anywhere in the U.S., here are a few smart steps to take before Q4 kicks in.
1. Reconcile Your Accounts
Make sure your bank and credit card statements match your bookkeeping records. Reconciling now helps you catch errors early—before they pile up into bigger issues.
2. Review Your Profit & Loss Statement
Your year-to-date numbers will show whether you’re on track to hit your revenue goals. Reviewing this report in QuickBooks or another accounting system can highlight expenses you may want to rein in before year-end.
3. Double-Check Payroll Records
If you have employees or contractors, ensure payroll records are up to date. Getting ahead now avoids year-end form filing headaches (like W-2s and 1099s).
4. Organize Receipts and Invoices
Receipts fade, go missing, or get buried in emails. Fall is a great time to digitize and store them in one place. Your tax preparer—and your future self—will thank you.
5. Meet With Your CPA or Bookkeeper Early
By connecting with your financial team in the fall, you’ll have time to make adjustments, capture deductions, and prepare for year-end filing. Waiting until December limits your options.
Final Thoughts
Taking time for a Quarter 3 bookkeeping check-in helps you finish the year strong. Instead of scrambling at the last minute, you’ll walk into tax season prepared and confident.
👉 Need help with year-end bookkeeping? We provide professional bookkeeping services in Brunswick, St. Simons, Jekyll Island, and coastal Georgia—as well as for businesses across the U.S. Let’s get your books organized now, so year-end is smooth and stress-free. Schedule a call to see how Gwinn Bookkeeping can help!
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