5 Accounting Steps for an easier Q1 in 2026

The fourth quarter tends to disappear quickly. But while December is packed with family time, travel, and special events, November offers a window to take control—especially if your business deals with job costing, inventory, or complex vendor relationships.

Here are five high-impact (and often overlooked) accounting tasks that can make a big difference before the year closes:

1. Clean Up Job Costing in QuickBooks Desktop

For construction and other project-based businesses, accurate job costing is essential—but it’s also where errors tend to hide. Now is the ideal time to review whether materials, subcontractor payments, payroll, and overhead are properly assigned to each job. Start by running Job Profitability and Job Cost Detail reports in QuickBooks Desktop, then dig into anomalies or gaps while the year’s activity is still fresh.

Taking the time to clean up job costing now protects profit margins and ensures that your financial reports reflect the true cost of delivering your work. It also puts you in a stronger position to bid competitively—and profitably—in the new year.

2. Review 1099 Vendors Before the Rush

Rather than wait until January, when vendors may be unreachable and admin workloads are already at their peak, review your contractor records now while things are quieter. Run the 1099 Summary and 1099 Detail reports, then head to your Vendor Center and filter by “Eligible for 1099.” From there, you can check for missing W-9s or incorrect classifications.

This proactive review helps you file accurately, avoid penalties, and steer clear of last-minute follow-ups when everyone’s harder to reach.

3. Audit and Clean Up the Chart of Accounts for Better Clarity

An overly complex Chart of Accounts can slow you down and cause inconsistent coding. Take a few minutes to open your Chart of Accounts list in QuickBooks Desktop and scan for duplicate, unused, or overly detailed accounts that could be consolidated.

A tidy chart makes reporting easier, keeps your tax prep clean, and helps everyone—your team and your accountant—see the financial picture more clearly.

4. Review Unpaid Invoices and Bills in QuickBooks Desktop

Now’s a great time to run your A/R and A/P Aging Summary reports and take stock. Look for unapplied payments, open invoices, or bills that need follow-up or cleanup. These small fixes can improve accuracy and prevent confusion in year-end reports.

Beyond cleanup, this review gives you insight into your current cash flow and obligations. It’s also a good opportunity to follow up on outstanding customer balances and make informed decisions about which bills to prioritize before year-end. Being intentional now helps you close the books with fewer surprises and better visibility.

5. Reconcile Sales Tax Payables

If your business collects sales tax, make sure your liability accounts match what’s actually been filed and paid. Run the Sales Tax Liability report and compare it to your payment history for each jurisdiction.

Catching discrepancies now can help you avoid late payments, penalties, or surprises during state audits—especially as tax agencies increase enforcement.

Wrapping Up

November might not feel like tax season yet, but it’s the perfect time to take action while your schedule still has a little breathing room. Each of these steps is simple, but together they can help you start the new year with clean books, clearer insights, and fewer headaches.

Want help tackling any of these steps? Let’s schedule a strategy session to make sure your books—and your business—are in great shape for year-end.