Monthly close checklist
A repeatable monthly routine for small businesses: what to do, in what order, and when to stop.
Bookkeeping · Version 1 · 2 min read · Reviewed by Meridian Review Team · Sep 15, 2026
Why close the books monthly
A short monthly routine is easier than a long year-end rescue.
The checklist
- Download or confirm bank and credit card statements for the month
- Record or import all transactions
- Categorize anything uncategorized
- Match every account to its statement balance
- Review unpaid invoices, both owed to you and owed by you
- Save the month's reports in a folder named by month
How long it takes
For a small business with steady volume, most of this is a short session when done every month.
When you are stuck
- A transaction you do not recognize: mark it and ask your bookkeeper.
- A balance that will not match: stop and ask. Forcing it hides the problem.
Keep it consistent
The same categories every month make year-end faster.