Guide
Month-end close checklist.
A working checklist adapted from what Institution uses internally. Use it as a reference for your own close, or as a review lens on an existing bookkeeper's process.
Source records
- Bank statements downloaded for every operating and reserve account.
- Card statements downloaded for every business credit card.
- Payroll register exported from the payroll provider.
- Invoicing platform reconciled to receivables aging.
Reconciliation
- Every bank and card account reconciled to statement.
- Cleared vs outstanding items reviewed; stale items escalated.
- Merchant processor payouts tied to gross sales.
- Payroll accrual and clearing accounts reviewed and cleared.
Review
- P&L reviewed for classification consistency vs prior periods.
- Balance sheet reviewed for unusual movements.
- Cash flow reviewed for reasonableness.
- Exceptions surfaced to the named owner with a resolution ETA.
Deliverable
- Statements finalized in the accounting system of record.
- Reporting pack assembled: statements, management summary, operational views.
- Close signed off by review.
- Deliverable shipped to the client dashboard and, where applicable, email digest.