Small Business Year-End Checklist for Financial Success
As the end of the fiscal year approaches, small business owners across the country face a crucial period for financial reflection and strategic decision-making. In a recent segment titled “Your Small Business Year-End Survival Guide | Money Minute,” published by MilitaryTimes.com on December 8, 2025, financial experts offer timely advice for preparing businesses to close out the year on stable footing and begin 2026 with confidence.
The video, part of the site’s ongoing “Money Minute” series, outlines key actions business owners should prioritize before December 31. Tax preparation, budgeting for the year ahead, vendor contract reviews, and employee compensation are central themes intended to help entrepreneurs maximize deductions and streamline operations.
Among the pressing issues highlighted is the importance of consulting with a certified accountant to understand how recent regulatory changes could affect a business’s tax liabilities. With the IRS adjusting guidelines and inflationary pressures shaping business costs, proactive planning can mitigate surprises during tax season. The guide also notes that reviewing operational expenses and identifying areas for potential savings helps owners align their spending with long-term goals.
Cash flow management receives special attention, with experts urging companies to collect outstanding invoices, evaluate inventory levels, and reconcile accounts while time remains in the calendar year. Addressing these areas, they suggest, can free up capital and reduce next year’s financial strain.
Additionally, “Your Small Business Year-End Survival Guide” recommends conducting employee performance reviews and finalizing year-end bonuses if applicable—measures that reinforce workforce engagement going into the new year. Benefits packages and retirement contributions are also mentioned as opportunities both to enhance employee satisfaction and to take advantage of tax-favored incentives.
While local conditions and individual business models vary widely, the piece underscores a broader message: timely planning and careful financial scrutiny remain fundamental to small business resilience, especially during a period of global economic uncertainty and evolving regulatory frameworks. Military Times presents this guidance as part of its wider commitment to supporting veteran entrepreneurs and small business owners navigating the complexities of the modern economy.
