Learning Center
We keep you up to date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

Why January is the Perfect Month to Perfect Your QuickBooks

As the new year kicks off, many business owners, especially those who partner with Desert Lily Bookkeeping, commit to getting their financial house in order. The new year promises a blank slate, and there’s no better place to start than with QuickBooks, your trusty software companion.

However, the transition between December and January doesn’t automatically correct errors or omissions in your QuickBooks. Whether it’s transactions that aren’t correctly categorized, duplicated bank feeds, wrongly recorded payroll, or invoices that didn’t reconcile, anything missed last year can complicate your financial clarity and preparedness for tax season.

This is precisely why it’s crucial to address any QuickBooks discrepancies now. January allows for a clean launch into the year.

Your Starting Balances Impact Your Financial Trajectory

When January 1 arrives, QuickBooks takes a snapshot of your business finances: cash balances, loans, accounts receivable, and inventory all carry over. If mistakes occurred last year, they’ll be evident in these opening balances:

  • If income was misstated, your equity may appear inflated or understated.
  • If expenses were misclassified, your tax return might not reflect reality.
  • If loans weren’t recorded accurately, your financial statements might misrepresent your business’s financial health.

Addressing these errors after the tax year closes is cumbersome, but fixing them now, in January, is much less daunting.

Reconciliation Simplified: Why February’s Bank Feeds Work Best

Businesses relying on QuickBooks bank feeds to automate transaction imports will find that by February, reconciliation is more straightforward, since last year’s transactions have settled:

  • Old rules misapplying to transactions can be avoided.
  • Incorrect duplicate entries can be prevented.
  • Catch up on unmatched deposits and payments before they snowball.

Early-year reconciliations ensure that your cash flow statements are accurate and actionable.

Partner with Your Accountant for Precision

Tax professionals, like the team here at Desert Lily Bookkeeping, often spend unnecessary time fixing QuickBooks files that are anything but ready. Ensuring accuracy beforehand not only expedites your return but also reduces potential for error.

Book Your Free Consultation
Book your free consultation with me today to see how we can get you back on track.
Book Now

  • Your tax return preparation will be faster.
  • You mitigate the risk of having to file amended returns.
  • You avert IRS inquiries due to mismatched information.
  • Your accountant can provide better tax strategy and advice.

Remember, QuickBooks lays the groundwork for your tax documentation.

Payroll Pitfalls That Persist

Issuing W-2s and 1099s uncovers payroll errors that must be addressed:

  • Incorrect employee classification
  • Incorrectly taxed benefits
  • State withholding miscalculations
  • Overlooked payroll tax contributions

Identifying these errors early in the year prevents fines and audits down the road.

Leveraging QuickBooks for Strategic Decisions

Accurate records transform QuickBooks from a digital ledger to a powerful decision-making aid. When data is accurate, you gain insight into:

  • Actual profitability
  • Cash flow patterns
  • Employment affordability
  • Tax savings thresholds
  • Opportunities to cut extraneous expenses

Otherwise, QuickBooks becomes yet another storage box for unsorted receipts.

Immediate Actions for Business Owners

Here’s how Desert Lily Bookkeeping recommends starting the year:

  1. Schedule a review of your QuickBooks file with us.
  2. Reconcile your bank and credit card accounts fully.
  3. Ensure your chart of accounts is aligned with your prior-year tax return.
  4. Correct any income and expense misclassifications.
  5. Verify payroll and tax settings are accurate.
  6. Lock your previous fiscal year once accurate.

Act now and enjoy sustained clarity, reduced costs, and enhanced financial decision-making throughout the year. A clean QuickBooks file isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential for showcasing your company’s worth to any potential buyers or investors. Transform any frustrations you may have with QuickBooks into an opportunity for growth and stability.

Book Your Free Consultation
Book your free consultation with me today to see how we can get you back on track.
Book Now
Share this article...

Want tax & bookkeeping tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .

Social Media

Location

Edgewater, Florida