--- title: Tips For a Smoother Month-end Close description: Closing the books at month end is a dreaded chore at many companies. Here’s how to simplify the process at your company. image: https://www.brinkersimpson.com/hubfs/4-Nov-13-2023-04-54-47-3246-PM.png --- [610-544-5900](tel:+16105445900) • [contact@brinkersimpson.com](mailto:contact@brinkersimpson.com) [Client Portal ](https://www.securefirmportal.com/Account/Login/4874) [Pay Now ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/pay-online) [Brinker Simpson ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/) - [ Services ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services) - [ Strategic Advisory ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/strategic-advisory) - [ Accounting Support ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/accounting-support) - [ Tax Services ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/tax) - [ Audit and Assurance ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/audit-assurance) - [ Transaction Advisory ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/transaction-advisory) - [ Valuation Services ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/valuation) - [ Risk Advisory ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/risk-advisory) - [ Peer Review Services ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/peer-review) - [ About ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/about) - [ People ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/about/team) - [ Community ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/about/community) - [ Industries ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/industries) - Resources - [ Articles ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/resources/articles) - [ Newsletter ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/resources/newsletter) - [ Careers ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/careers) [ Let's Connect ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/contact) - [ Services ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services) - [ Strategic Advisory ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/strategic-advisory) - [ Accounting Support ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/accounting-support) - [ Tax Services ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/tax) - [ Audit and Assurance ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/audit-assurance) - [ Transaction Advisory ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/transaction-advisory) - [ Valuation Services ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/valuation) - [ Risk Advisory ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/risk-advisory) - [ Peer Review Services ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/peer-review) - [ About ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/about) - [ People ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/about/team) - [ Community ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/about/community) - [ Industries ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/industries) - Resources - [ Articles ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/resources/articles) - [ Newsletter ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/resources/newsletter) - [ Careers ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/careers) [ Let's Connect ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/contact) [ 610-544-5900 ](tel:+16105445900) [ contact@brinkersimpson.com ](mailto:contact@brinkersimpson.com) [Client Portal ](https://www.securefirmportal.com/Account/Login/4874) [Pay Now ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/pay-online) November 21, 2023 # Tips For a Smoother Month-end Close by: [Brinker Simpson & Company](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/blog/author/brinker-simpson-company) 3 Minute Read Does your company struggle to close its books at the end of each month? The month-end close requires accounting personnel to round up data from across the organization. This process can strain internal resources, potentially leading to delayed financial reporting, errors and even fraud. Here are some simple ways to streamline your company’s monthly closing process. Develop a standardized process Gathering accounting data involves many moving parts throughout the organization. To reduce the stress, aim for a consistent approach that applies standard operating procedures and robust checklists. This minimizes the use of ad-hoc processes. It also helps ensure consistency when reporting financial data month after month. ## Provide ample time for Provide ample time for data analysis Too often, the accounting department dedicates most of the time allocated to closing the books to the mechanics of the process. However, spending some time analyzing the data for integrity and accuracy is critical. Examples of review procedures include: - Reconciling amounts in a ledger to source documents (such as invoices, contracts or bank records), - Testing a random sample of transactions for accuracy, - Benchmarking monthly results against historical performance or industry standards, and - Assigning multiple workers to perform the same tasks simultaneously. Without adequate due diligence, the probability of errors (or fraud) in the financial statements increases. Failure to evaluate the data can result in more time being spent correcting errors that could have been caught with a simple review — before they were recorded in your financial records. Encourage process improvements ## Workers who are actively Workers who are actively involved in closing out the books often may be best equipped to recognize trouble spots and bottlenecks. So, it’s important to adopt a continuous improvement mindset. Consider brainstorming as a team. Then, assign responsibility for adopting changes to an employee with the follow-through capabilities and authority to drive change in your organization. Be flexible with staffing Often, accounting departments require certain specialized staff to be present during the month-end close. If an employee is unavailable, the department may be shorthanded and unable to complete critical tasks. ## Implementing a cross-training program Implementing a cross-training program for key steps can help minimize frustration and delays. It may also help identify inefficiencies in the financial reporting process. Consider automation Your accounting department may rely on manual processes to extract, manipulate and report data. However, these processes create opportunities for human errors and fraud. Fortunately, modern accounting software can automate certain routine, repeatable tasks, such as invoicing, accounts payable management and payroll administration. In some cases, you may need to upgrade your current accounting software to take full advantage of the power of automation. Keep it simple Closing the books doesn’t have to be a stressful, labor-intensive chore. We can help you simplify the process and give your accounting staff more time to focus on value-added tasks that take your company’s financial reporting to the next level. [Fraud and Forensic](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/blog/topic/fraud-and-forensic), [Accounting and Financial Operations](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/blog/topic/accounting-and-financial-operations), [Guide](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/blog/topic/guide) ### Table of Contents Previous Article [ Future Emergency? Two New Tax Provisions May Soon Provide Relief ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/blog/facing-a-future-emergency-two-new-tax-provisions-may-soon-provide-relief) ## Related Articles ![Before You Buy: Red Flags in an M&A Target’s Financials](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5-Jan-27-2026-05-27-47-0753-PM.png?width=500&height=500&name=5-Jan-27-2026-05-27-47-0753-PM.png) February 16, 2026 ### [ Before You Buy: Red Flags in an M&A Target’s Financials ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/blog/before-you-buy-red-flags-in-an-ma-targets-financials) Do your company’s 2026 strategic plans include a business acquisition? Whether you already have your eye on a target or are still weighing options, plan now for extensive financial due diligence. To ... Fraud and Forensic • Business Advisory • Transactions and M&A • Tax Compliance • Accounting and Financial Operations ![Four Ways to Read and Strengthen Your Balance Sheet](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4-Jan-27-2026-05-27-47-5952-PM.png?width=500&height=500&name=4-Jan-27-2026-05-27-47-5952-PM.png) February 19, 2026 ### [ Four Ways to Read and Strengthen Your Balance Sheet ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/blog/four-ways-to-read-and-strengthen-your-balance-sheet) The balance sheet shows your company’s financial condition — its assets vs. liabilities — at a specific point in time. However, the balance sheet is more than a static report. It can also serve as a ... Fraud and Forensic • Business Advisory • Valuation • Guide • Audit and Assurance ![Strategies to Prevent Abuse of Friends & Family Discount](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4-Oct-28-2025-06-24-59-8582-PM.png?width=500&height=500&name=4-Oct-28-2025-06-24-59-8582-PM.png) February 13, 2026 ### [ Strategies to Prevent Abuse of Friends & Family Discount ](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/blog/strategies-to-prevent-abuse-of-friends-family-discount) Many small businesses offer discounts to employees, friends, family, or loyal customers as a gesture of appreciation. While these programs can strengthen relationships and build goodwill, they can ... Fraud and Forensic • Business Advisory • Valuation **Strategic Advisory** [Business Advisory](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/strategic-advisory/business-advisory) [Succession Planning](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/strategic-advisory/succession-planning) [Financial Process and Controls](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/strategic-advisory/financial-process-controls) **Accounting Support** [CFO and Controller Services](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/accounting-support/cfo-controller-services) [Accounting and Bookkeeping](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/accounting-support/accounting-bookkeeping) [Financial Planning and Analysis](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/accounting-support/financial-planning-analysis) **Tax Services** [Business Tax Services](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/tax/business-tax) [Individual Tax Services](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/tax/individual-tax) [Tax Controversy and Defense](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/tax/tax-controversy-defense) **Audit and Assurance** [Financial Statement Audits](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/audit-assurance/financial-statement-audits) [Agreed Upon Procedures](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/audit-assurance/agreed-upon-procedures) **Transaction Advisory** [Due Diligence](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/transaction-advisory/due-diligence) [Post-Acquisition Services](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/transaction-advisory/post-acquisition) [Mergers and Acquisitions](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/transaction-advisory/mergers-acquisitions) [Transaction Consulting](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/transaction-advisory/transaction-consulting) **Valuation Services** [Business Valuations](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/valuation/business-valuations) [Quality of Earnings](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/valuation/quality-of-earnings) [Buy-Sell Agreements](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/valuation/buy-sell-agreements) [Forecasts and Projections](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/valuation/forecasts-projections) [Calculation of Value](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/valuation/calculation-of-value) **Risk Advisory** [Forensic Accounting](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/risk-advisory/forensic-accounting) [Fraud Investigation](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/risk-advisory/fraud-investigation) [Internal Investigation](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/risk-advisory/internal-investigation) [Shareholder Disputes](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/risk-advisory/shareholder-disputes) [Economic Damages](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/risk-advisory/economic-damages) [White Collar Criminal Tax Defense](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/risk-advisory/white-collar-tax-defense) **Peer Review Services** [System and Engagement Reviews](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/peer-review/system-engagement-reviews) [Outsourced Quality Control Review](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/services/peer-review/outsourced-quality-control) © Brinker Simpson. All rights reserved.| [Privacy Policy](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/privacy-policy)| [Terms of Service](https://www.brinkersimpson.com/terms-and-conditions) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "", "@type" : "LocalBusiness", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Media", "addressRegion" : "PA", "postalCode" : "19063", "streetAddress" : "1400 N Providence Rd, Rosetree Building 2, Suite 2000E" }, "image" : "https://www.brinkersimpson.com/hubfs/BrinkerSimpson%20_June_2020_Folder/Images/brinkersimpson-logo-gray-white-59.webp", "name" : "Brinker Simpson", "priceRange" : "$$", "telephone" : "610.544.5900", "url" : "https://www.brinkersimpson.com/" } ```