Finance and accounts12 checksmonthlyabout 10 minutes, estimate; adjust for site

Month-end close checklist

This checklist covers every task to close the books, in order, with owners. Tick each item at the point of work and record any failure.

0 of 12 checked

1Collect the records

Sales for month are postedMUST
Purchase bills are entered
Cash book is up to date
Customer receipts are allocated

2Match and review

Bank reconciliation is completed
Supplier advances are reviewed
Stock adjustments have approvalsMUST
Payroll and expense accruals are checked

3Approve and close

Open differences are listed
Trial balance is reviewed
Owner report is preparedMUST
Close sign-off is datedMUST

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When to use it

The accountant uses this list during the monthly check. Allow about 10 minutes for the checks, plus time for any problem found. Work from the accounting ledger and supporting statements. Look at the actual item before ticking it. Mark No when evidence is missing and explain why.

Its scope is specific: every task to close the books, in order, with owners. First confirm sales for month are posted, then examine the relevant work before approval or handover. The person named at the top should complete the checks as the work happens. Do not sign a page from memory later.

If an item is a "No"

For a failed (must) check, hold the affected work at its current stage. The accountant records the item, current job or lot, time and a clear note. Tell the person authorised to release that work. Do not tick Yes after simply sending a message. Recheck the item and record who accepted it before proceeding.

For this checklist, pay particular attention when bank reconciliation is completed cannot be confirmed. Check the supporting record or the actual material. A photo alone may not prove a measurement or approval. Note missing evidence.

For other failures, name an owner and due date. Escalate safety, compliance or customer risks before release.

Common mistakes

Ticking purchase bills are entered without looking at the actual item or source record.
Writing "done" when supplier advances are reviewed has not been checked.
Closing the sheet even though open differences are listed is still unknown.
Filing the page with no name, no date or no owner for failed items.

Make it your own

Print this on A4 or keep it in a shared sheet. Add a column for the person clearing each failed item. In a trading business, adapt the references to the part, lot, machine or delivery document your team actually uses. In services, name the local register and sign-off owner. Remove a check only if it truly cannot apply, and write down why. Do not remove critical safety or statutory checks without qualified review.

Try the list on a real job, then ask the accountant which records were hard to find. Keep one approved version with a revision date so the team uses the same checks.

A checklist only works if someone ticks it, every time, and someone reads it.

Questions people ask

Who should sign the month-end close checklist?

The accountant who performed the check signs it. If a different person approves release, capture that name too. Do not use another person’s signature.

What if sales for month are posted cannot be confirmed?

Mark No, describe what you looked at and hold the affected work if it is a critical item. Ask the authorised owner to decide the next action. Keep the result in the same record.

Can we use the short version instead of the full checklist?

Use the short version for a quick reminder. The full list has the remaining checks, failed-item notes and signature. Keep it for the actual decision and review.