How to Close the Books in QuickBooks Online?

In this article, we will talk about how to close your books in QuickBooks Online. Many of us will be thinking about what it actually means to close the books in QuickBooks Online. Keep reading this post and you will get all the answers related to closing the books in QuickBooks Online.

In the literal sense, closing the books mean that you have locked everything that you have added prior to the closing date. This is an important move since it makes sure that all is fine and there is no inconsistency in your bookkeeping.

Why it is Important to Close Your Books in QuickBooks Online?

It is highly important to close your books in QuickBooks Online. When you close your books, it will save you from unnecessary changes in your particular accounting data. It is quite obvious and frequent that users change something which impacts a prior period.

How to close the Books in QuickBooks Online?

Here is how you close the books in QuickBooks Online:

Step 1: On the upper-right corner, press the Company name.

Step 2: Press Account and Settings.

Step 3: Navigate to the advanced tab.

Step 4: In the Accounting section, add a checkmark in the particular Close the books box.

Step 5: Add a Closing date.

Step 6: Set if a password is required to edit the closed transactions.

Step 7: Press Save.

Step 8: Press Done.

When it is about year-end, there are certain things one should do in QuickBooks Online to close the year and then start a new one. Here are the specific tasks that are listed and should be done in QuickBooks Online:

Task 1: Verify the Starting Month of your Particular Financial Year in QuickBooks Online

In order to confirm or edit the financial year’s first month, complete the steps below:

Step 1: Navigate to the Settings icon.

Step 2: Choose Account and Settings.

Step 3: Choose Advanced.

Step 4: In the particular Accounting section, confirm that the setting of the particular first month of the financial year added in the field is right. You can also choose the particular pencil icon to edit the settings.

Step 5: Choose Save and Done.

Task 2: Review Customer Statements, Account Balances, and Clear all the Relevant Outstanding Deposits

In order to review customer account balances, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Choose Reports.

Step 2: In the given search bar, add Accounts Receivable Aging Details. You can also enter the Accounts Receivable Aging Summary. Choose the particular report you wish to review. Such reports are available in QuickBooks Plus and QuickBooks Online Essentials.

Step 3: Check the report to locate customers who have outstanding balances.

In order to send a particular statement, complete the steps below:

Step 1: Choose Sales. Next, choose Customers.

Step 2: Find the customer you wish to send a statement to.

Step 3: From the particular Action drop-down menu, choose Create statement.

Step 4: In the particular Create Statements screen, choose Print and Preview in order to print the statement or choose Save and then send to create and preview an email.

Note: It is important to confirm that all the deposits are clear, to make sure they are not added to the present year’s income.

Task 3: Verify the Account Balances of Suppliers, Write Checks and Pay Bills

By the end of the year, you must be paying all the outstanding bills that you particularly owe, while addressing any product, credit, or discounts that you owe from the suppliers.

In order to review all the outstanding bills, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Choose Reports.

Step 2: In the given search bar, add Accounts Payable Aging Detail or Accounts payable Aging summary. Now choose the report you wish to review. Such reports are there in QuickBooks Online Plus and Essentials.

Step 3: Check the report to locate any outstanding bills that you must pay prior to the year-end.

Task 4: Reconcile Credit Cards, Bank Accounts, and Petty Cash

In order to reconcile the credit card and bank accounts in QuickBooks Online, please follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Navigate to Settings.

Step 2: Choose Reconcile.

Step 3: Do as per the prompts in order to make sure the transactions in the credit card statement or bank are the same as transactions that are on the Reconcile page.

Task 5: Run Year-end Reports

In order to run year-end reports, you need to follow the steps below:

Step 1: Navigate to Reports.

Step 2: Find and then review the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss report. Along with these, you need to review all the customized reports that you or your accounts may need.

Step 3: Ensure that the balance figure of the Profit and Loss report is the same as the Profit of the Year.

The steps and information given above will help you not only to understand the importance of closing books in QuickBooks but will also guide you about the right steps for it.

However, if you still think professional assistance will be great for you, then you can reach out to us.

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