Plan supporting schedules before year-end
Delays often originate in unreconciled balances, unclear inventory records or missing contracts. Assign an owner, source and delivery date to each important balance sheet item rather than setting only a final accounts deadline.
Use consistent dates and controlled versions
Receivables, payables, inventory and assets must reconcile to the ledger for the same entities and date. Retain the schedules reviewed and a record of later corrections. Discuss estimates with project or operational staff while the facts are available.
Agree how late information is assessed
An invoice received after year-end may relate to the previous year. Decide who assesses late documents and protects the final version. Internal targets do not replace statutory preparation, adoption and filing deadlines or separate group, healthcare and audit milestones.
Source and background: Zeven tips voor een snelle en soepele jaarafsluiting.
