Year-End Accounting Reminders: Closing 2025 with Confidence

ARTICLE | November 04, 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, accounting teams are preparing for one of the most critical periods of the fiscal year. Whether you’re a CFO guiding strategic decisions or a Controller managing the close, year-end is your opportunity to ensure accuracy, compliance, and readiness for the year ahead.

At Insero Advisors, we’ve helped hundreds of organizations streamline their year-end processes and get ready for an audit. Here are key reminders and best practices to help your team finish strong.

Revisit Your Close Calendar and Assign Ownership

Start by reviewing your financial close schedule. Ensure all deadlines—from reconciliations to board presentations—are clearly mapped out. Assign ownership for each task and confirm that backup resources are available in case of unexpected absences. A well-structured calendar reduces bottlenecks and keeps everyone accountable.

Reconcile Key Accounts Early

Don’t wait until December 31st to reconcile. Begin with high-volume accounts like cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. For inventory-heavy businesses, coordinate physical counts and confirm valuation methods. Early reconciliation reduces the risk of last-minute surprises and audit adjustments.

Review Revenue Recognition and Cut-Off Procedures

Revenue recognition continues to be a hot topic, especially for companies with complex contracts. Make sure your team is reviewing cut-off procedures and validating that revenue is recognized in the correct period. If you’ve had contract modifications, assess whether they trigger new performance obligations or changes in accounting treatment.

Revisit Lease Accounting Under ASC 842

Lease accounting remains a challenge for many organizations, particularly as new leases are signed and existing ones are modified. Under ASC 842, it’s essential to ensure proper classification and disclosure of leases. Confirm that your team is capturing all required data points—lease term, discount rate, renewal options, incentives—and that your systems are equipped to handle ongoing compliance.

Insero Advisors has deep expertise in lease accounting and regularly advises clients on ASC 842 compliance and optimization. For a deeper dive into year-end lease accounting updates and best practices, check out our recent on-demand webinar: Mastering Lease Accounting: Day 2 Strategies After ASC 842 Transition

Prepare Your Tax Provision

Coordinate with your tax advisors to ensure your provision reflects the latest regulatory changes. This includes federal, state, and international updates. Document any temporary differences and confirm that deferred tax assets and liabilities are properly supported.

Strengthen Your Audit Trail

Ensure all supporting documentation—reconciliations, memos, schedules—is centralized and accessible. Use automation tools where possible to reduce manual errors and improve transparency. A clean audit trail not only supports compliance but also builds trust with stakeholders.   Having your assumptions and conclusions documented for new or complex transactions will not only save time at year-end but could also prevent audit-identified control deficiencies.

Communicate Early and Often

Keep your board, auditors, and internal teams informed of progress and potential issues. If delays or adjustments are anticipated, flag them early. Clear communication fosters collaboration.

Reflect and Plan for 2026

Use this time to evaluate what worked well and what could be improved. Consider hosting a post-close debrief to capture lessons learned and set goals for the new year.

Final Thoughts

Year-end accounting is more than a checklist—it’s a strategic opportunity to demonstrate your team’s discipline and foresight. With the right planning and execution, you can close 2025 with confidence and enter 2026 on solid footing.

If your team could use support navigating complex accounting standards, optimizing your close process, or preparing for audit readiness, Insero Advisors is here to help. Our experienced professionals work alongside accounting teams to deliver tailored solutions that drive clarity and compliance.