month-end-close-checklistlisted

# Month-End Close Checklist Builder ## When to use this - Onboarding a new bookkeeping or client accounting services (CAS) client and you need a repeatable close. - The current close is ad hoc ("we just kind of reconcile things") and you want it documented. - Handing a client's close from one staff member to another, or from the owner to a new hire. - Upgrading a growing client from a basic bookkeeping close to a controller-level close with a reporting package. ## What to gather first Ask the user for every item below. Never assume; if an answer is unknown, mark the related checklist rows [CONFIRM WITH CLIENT] instead of guessing. 1. Country: US, AU, NZ, UK, or CA. This drives terminology (sales tax vs GST/BAS vs VAT) and the payroll tie-out details. 2. Entity type: sole proprietor, partnership, S corp (1040 Sch C, 1065, 1120-S in the US), C corp, trust, or the local equivalent. 3. Accounting software: QuickBooks Online, Xero, MYOB, Sage, other. 4. Number of bank accounts, credit cards, and lines of credit. 5. Payroll: yes or no, provider (Gusto, ADP, Paychex, Xero Payroll, etc.), and pay frequency. 6. Inventory: yes or no, and whether it is tracked in the accounting software or externally. 7. Sales tax / GST obligations: which registrations or states, and filing frequency. 8. Loans: how many, and whether amortization schedules exist. 9. Revenue recognition quirks: deferred revenue, retainers, progress billing, daily POS imports, merchant clearing accounts. 10. Who does th