Quarterly Bookkeeping Checklist for Small Businesses in California
As a small business owner or nonprofit leader, you have a lot on your plate—and keeping up with quarterly bookkeeping tasks can be easy to overlook. But quarterly reviews are key to maintaining accurate records, avoiding tax-time surprises, and keeping your financial strategy on track.
Whether you manage payroll, rely on QuickBooks, or use remote bookkeeping services in Redding, CA, this checklist will help you stay organized and confident each quarter.
1. Review and Reconcile All Accounts
Start each quarter by reviewing your bank, credit card, and loan accounts. Make sure all transactions are properly categorized and reconciled to their statements. If you use QuickBooks, this is the time to ensure everything is clean and up to date.
Need help staying on top of this? Our team offers QuickBooks setup in Redding, CA and ongoing support to help you maintain organized, accurate books all year long.
2. Evaluate Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable
It’s important to track who owes you—and who you owe. Review your accounts payable to ensure bills are paid on time, and examine your receivables to follow up on any overdue invoices. This keeps your cash flow steady and helps you avoid penalties or strained vendor relationships.
Our accounts payable services streamline this process for you, reducing late fees and improving vendor communication.
3. Update Payroll and Tax Records
If you run payroll, verify that all employee data is current, and double-check that all withholdings and filings are accurate. This is especially important in California, where payroll laws are complex and can change frequently.
We provide payroll processing in Shasta County, ensuring your team gets paid accurately and on time—while keeping your business compliant.
4. Review Your Financial Statements
Each quarter, you should generate and review your profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. These reports help you understand how your business is performing and where adjustments may be needed.
Not sure how to make sense of your financials? Our remote bookkeeping services in Redding, CA include monthly reporting and quarterly reviews so you’re never in the dark about your numbers.
5. Prepare for Quarterly Tax Payments
If you make estimated tax payments, the end of each quarter is your cue to gather earnings, calculate your liability, and pay on time. Falling behind on quarterly tax payments can lead to costly IRS penalties.
Our experienced team ensures your books are accurate and ready for your CPA, helping you stay ahead of your tax obligations with ease.
6. Conduct a Quick Internal Audit
Look for duplicate transactions, uncategorized expenses, or irregular patterns in spending. A quarterly check-in can catch small issues before they turn into major problems. This is especially important for organizations with multiple income sources or departments.
If you’re managing a nonprofit, we offer non-profit bookkeeping services tailored to help you meet compliance requirements and stay grant-ready.
Final Thoughts
Consistent, quarterly bookkeeping reviews are a simple but powerful way to stay financially healthy and avoid end-of-year stress. From QuickBooks setup in Redding, CA to remote bookkeeping, payroll, and AP services, we’re here to make it easier.
If you're ready to offload your bookkeeping tasks and free up more time to run your business, Accounting Professionals has the tools and expertise to help.
Contact us today to learn how our team can support your quarterly and year-round bookkeeping needs!