Restaurant Year-End Close: A Stress-Free Roadmap to Financial Compliance

3 Min Read By Johan Gutierrez

As 2025 draws to a close, the financial health of your restaurant hinges on a successful and compliant year-end process. This period is critical for setting accurate opening balances for the new year, preparing necessary tax documents, and gaining deep insights into your business performance. Use this comprehensive checklist to simplify your close, minimize errors, and ensure you start the new year on solid financial footing.

1. Reconcile All Bank, Credit Card & Merchant AccountsWhy it Matters: The goal is to ensure your internal accounting records (your books) perfectly mirror your external financial statements. Reconciliation is your primary defense against fraud, misplaced funds, or errors in recording transactions.

Action: Match every transaction - deposits, withdrawals, credit card sales, processing fees, third-party delivery apps (i.e. Uber Eats & DoorDash) - between your accounting software and the bank/merchant statements. Pay close attention to timing…