Month End Check‑In — December Edition

Closing Out the Year With Intention, Not Stress

December is the month where everything comes together — the holidays, the deadlines, the final push to finish strong. But for small business owners, December isn’t just the end of the year. It’s the moment where you set the tone for the next one. A clean December close‑out can save you money, protect your peace, and make tax season a whole lot smoother.

The first thing I tell business owners is this: don’t wait until January to figure out what happened this year. December is your chance to get ahead. Review your income and expenses while the numbers are still fresh. Make sure all your invoices are out, all your payments are recorded, and nothing is sitting in a shoebox, a glove compartment, or a random email thread. This is also the time to look at your equipment needs, retirement contributions, and any last‑minute deductions you can legally take advantage of before the clock strikes midnight.

Reconcile your accounts — every bank account, every credit card, every payment app. This is where you catch the little things that turn into big problems later. And once your books are clean, take a moment to look forward. Do you have quarterly taxes due in January? Are there price changes you need to make? Are there systems you want to tighten up before business picks back up?

At Facts & Figures, we’re doing the same work behind the scenes. We’re still growing, still refining, still building the kind of systems that support our clients and our own expansion. December reminds us that growth isn’t just about adding more — it’s about strengthening what you already have. Close out the month with intention, and you’ll walk into the new year with clarity instead of chaos.

Remember, your numbers tell the story — make sure they’re saying the right thing.