Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist

Review Transactions

• Confirm all bank and credit card transactions have downloaded/synced into your accounting software
• Categorize any uncategorized transactions
• Flag anything unclear for follow-up (a mystery charge, a receipt you can't place)

Reconcile Accounts

• Reconcile every bank account against the statement
• Reconcile every credit card account against the statement
• Confirm your ending balances match, down to the penny

Accounts Receivable

• Review outstanding invoices and follow up on anything overdue
• Confirm all payments received have been applied correctly

Accounts Payable

• Review bills owed and confirm nothing's been missed
• Pay or schedule any bills coming due

Payroll (if applicable)

• Confirm payroll ran correctly and matches what was actually paid out
• Verify payroll tax payments and filings are current

Review Your Reports

• Look at your Profit & Loss Statement — does it reflect what actually happened this month?
• Review your Balance Sheet for unusual balances or anything you don't recognize or understand
• Compare this month to last month, and to the same month last year, if you can

Wrap Up

• File or store receipts and documentation for the month
• Note anything that needs to change next month (a process that felt clunky, a recurring question)