The leaves are falling, pumpkin spice is everywhere, and—believe it or not—year-end is just around the corner. While October might be known for costumes and candy, it’s also the perfect time to get your financial “house” in order before the holiday rush takes over.
Don’t wait until December to scramble—think of October as your warm-up lap for closing out the year. Here are five things to do before Halloween to make sure your books (and your sanity) stay intact.
1. Reconcile Your Bank Accounts
Yes, it’s as thrilling as sorting Halloween candy—but it matters. Make sure your bank and credit card accounts match your books. Reconciling monthly keeps you from discovering nasty surprises later, like missing transactions or duplicate charges.
Pro tip: If you’re behind, do it now. Future-you will thank present-you when tax season rolls around.
2. Review Accounts Receivable & Payables
Think of this as taking inventory of your candy stash—what’s coming in, what’s going out.
- Receivables: Send friendly reminders to clients who haven’t paid up.
- Payables: Check what bills are due before year-end and plan your cash flow accordingly.
Getting these squared away now helps avoid January cash crunches.
3. Organize Those Receipts
Paper receipts shoved in shoeboxes? Random PDF invoices lost in your email? Time to wrangle them.
Create a digital system (folders by month or expense type) so everything is easy to find later. Many accounting apps let you snap pictures of receipts—no excuses for messy records anymore.
4. Prep Payroll & Benefits
The holidays often bring employee bonuses, gifts, and year-end raises. Double-check that payroll records are accurate, benefits contributions are recorded, and any special payouts are accounted for.
Doing this now avoids payroll headaches during the busiest (and most festive) time of year.
5. Review Fixed Assets & Depreciation
Bought new equipment this year? Upgraded your office? Time to make sure those assets are recorded properly so you don’t miss out on deductions.
It’s not just about compliance—it’s about making sure you’re getting the full tax benefit of your investments.
Final Treat (No Tricks!)
Getting your books in order before Halloween isn’t just about being organized—it’s about giving yourself peace of mind. When year-end hits, you’ll be sipping cocoa by the fire instead of pulling all-nighters with a calculator.
Next Step: Block off a couple of hours this week to tackle this checklist. Better yet, schedule a call with your accountant (hint, hint: Ledger Right) to make sure you’re fully prepared before December sneaks up on you.
