A monthly bookkeeping checklist should make the close predictable without making it rigid. The best version separates preparation, reconciliation, review, reporting and client follow-up so teams can see exactly where a close is blocked.
Monthly bookkeeping checklist
☐ Confirm all bank and credit card feeds/imports are complete
☐ Post outstanding cash transactions
☐ Record payroll and payroll liabilities
☐ Enter or review accounts payable transactions
☐ Review accounts receivable and unapplied cash
☐ Reconcile bank accounts
☐ Reconcile credit cards
☐ Reconcile loans and lines of credit
☐ Review fixed asset additions and disposals
☐ Post recurring journal entries
☐ Review prepaid expenses and accruals
☐ Review intercompany or owner transactions
☐ Review suspense/uncategorized accounts
☐ Compare current month with prior month and budget
☐ Investigate unusual balances and variances
☐ Confirm sales/payroll tax liabilities where applicable
☐ Complete reviewer notes and corrections
☐ Lock or finalize period according to policy
☐ Prepare management reports
☐ Send client questions and final deliverables
☐ Record open items carried into next month
Suggested workflow stages
| Stage | Owner focus | Exit condition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Intake | Documents, feeds, payroll and missing information | All required source data received or exceptions logged |
| 2. Processing | Coding and recurring entries | Transactions posted |
| 3. Reconciliation | Balance sheet and control accounts | Accounts reconciled |
| 4. Review | Variance and quality review | Reviewer comments cleared |
| 5. Reporting | Statements and management package | Deliverables approved |
| 6. Follow-up | Client questions and carry-forwards | Open items assigned with due dates |
Use the Bookkeeping Client Onboarding Checklist to establish the process before the first close. For firms packaging bookkeeping with advisory, the CAS Guide explains how recurring transactional work can support higher-value insight services.
If managers need to see which closes are late, over budget or blocked, the PracticeERP dashboards show how role-based visibility can replace spreadsheet status meetings.
Ready to take the next step? Turn this checklist into a recurring workflow with ownership and exception reporting. PracticeERP can connect the work to time, WIP, billing and firm-wide dashboards.