Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist
Stay organized and accurate with this step-by-step monthly bookkeeping checklist for small businesses and accountants.
Consistent monthly bookkeeping keeps your business compliant, tax-ready, and financially healthy. This checklist outlines the core tasks every business should complete each month-whether you’re doing it yourself, working with a bookkeeper, or managing it for clients.
Checklist: Monthly Bookkeeping Tasks
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Reconcile all bank accounts
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Reconcile credit card accounts
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Categorize income and expenses
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Review and record loan payments
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Enter and match all receipts and invoices
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Record payroll transactions
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Track accounts receivable and payable
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Review and clear uncleared transactions
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Update chart of accounts if needed
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Review P&L and Balance Sheet reports
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Verify sales tax collected and owed
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Confirm cash flow trends and working capital
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Back up your financial records (if using desktop software)
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Share reports with your accountant or CPA
Need Help With Monthly Bookkeeping?
RemoteBooksOnline provides CPA-reviewed monthly bookkeeping with reconciliations and reports—starting at just $150/month.
Why Monthly Bookkeeping Matters
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Catches errors before they compound
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Keeps you ready for taxes year-round
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Supports accurate budgeting and forecasting
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Ensures lenders and stakeholders see clean data
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Saves time at year-end and reduces CPA costs
Who This Checklist Is For
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Small business owners
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Bookkeepers and CPA firms
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Admins managing QuickBooks or Xero
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Startups preparing for fundraising or taxes
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Entrepreneurs without a full-time finance team
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in monthly bookkeeping?
Monthly bookkeeping includes reconciling accounts, categorizing transactions, recording accounts receivable and payable, and generating core financial reports.
Can I outsource monthly bookkeeping?
Yes. RemoteBooksOnline handles monthly bookkeeping for thousands of clients across industries. First month is free.
What happens if I skip a month?
Skipping months can lead to messy reports, cash flow errors, and higher year-end tax prep costs. Staying current is essential.
Need Help With Monthly Bookkeeping?
RemoteBooksOnline provides CPA-reviewed monthly bookkeeping with reconciliations and reports—starting at just $150/month.