Year-end closing checklist
Company: Northfield Bakery Ltd
Year end: 31 December 2028
Closing lead: Anna Berg, Finance Manager
External accountant: Clarke and Moss Accountants
Books closed by: 31 January 2029
Filing deadlines
Annual accounts: 30 September 2029
Tax return: 31 October 2029
How to use this checklist
Each line is one task: owner, task and due date. Tick a task off only when its evidence is saved with the closing file.
1. Cut-off and transactions
| Owner | Task | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Berg | Post all invoices dated on or before 31 Dec | 8 Jan |
| Anna Berg | Check goods received and not invoiced | 8 Jan |
| Omar Khan | Record December payroll | 10 Jan |
2. Reconciliations
| Owner | Task | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Berg | Bank accounts to statements | 12 Jan |
| Anna Berg | Customer balances to the ledger | 12 Jan |
| Omar Khan | Supplier statements to the ledger | 14 Jan |
| Omar Khan | Loan balances to lender statements | 14 Jan |
3. Accruals, prepayments and adjustments
| Owner | Task | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Berg | Accrue unpaid bills and bonuses | 15 Jan |
| Anna Berg | Prepaid insurance and rent | 15 Jan |
| Anna Berg | Bad debt review | 16 Jan |
| Anna Berg | Depreciation | 16 Jan |
4. Stock and fixed assets
| Owner | Task | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Maria Costa | Year-end stock count and valuation | 2 Jan |
| Maria Costa | Asset register check | 10 Jan |
5. Tax and compliance
| Owner | Task | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Berg | Sales tax returns up to date | 18 Jan |
| Anna Berg | Payroll tax filed | 18 Jan |
| Anna Berg | Tax computation to the accountant | 25 Jan |
6. Review and sign-off
| Owner | Task | Due date |
|---|---|---|
| Anna Berg | Trial balance review and variance check | 26 Jan |
| Daniel Roche | Management review and approval | 30 Jan |
| Daniel Roche | Lock the year in the system | 31 Jan |
Open issues
A 4,200 supplier dispute is not yet agreed. Held as a provision.
Closing lead
______________________ Date: ____________
Approved by
______________________ Date: ____________