5 Bookkeeping Habits That Will Save You Hours in December

December always sneaks up fast. One minute you’re pushing through Q4 goals, the next you’re staring at a pile of receipts, unpaid invoices, and accounts to reconcile. Instead of scrambling, what if you had already done most of the heavy lifting?

At SMG, we’ve seen firsthand how small, consistent bookkeeping habits can transform your year-end. Here are five that will make December feel manageable - and maybe even relaxing.

1. Reconciling Accounts Monthly

Don’t leave reconciling until December. At the end of every month:

• Match bank and credit card statements against your books

• Alert yourself to missing transactions or duplicates

• Fix small errors now instead of letting them pile up

  
  

When December comes, you’ll already be mostly squared away. And if your accountant or bookkeeper (like us!) needs to step in, the work is clean and minimal. Not sure how to set up monthly reconciliations? Our team can guide you.

2. Uploading Receipts in Real Time

Paper receipts fade, get lost, or end up stuffed in drawers. Instead:

• Snap photos with your phone the moment you get a receipt

• Upload it into your accounting software or expense app

• Tag or label by vendor, date, or expense type

By doing this consistently, you eliminate the dreaded “where’s that receipt?” stress in December.

3. Categorizing Expenses Properly

Getting each expense into the right category (travel, office supplies, meals, etc.) matters more than you think. Here’s why:

• Misclassified expenses mess up your reports

• You may lose out on tax deductions if items are buried

• Catching classification errors now is easier than untangling them later

Spend a few minutes weekly to verify and correct categories. That small discipline adds up. If you’re not sure which expense categories apply to your business, we can review them with you.

4. Staying on Top of Invoices and Payments

Unpaid invoices and late bills create headaches at year-end. Make it a habit to:

• Send invoices promptly and follow up on outstanding payments

• Record payments as soon as they come in

• Keep an eye on accounts payable so bills don’t pile up

By December, you’ll know exactly where your business stands financially without chasing down missing payments.

5. Avoiding the December “Catch-Up” Scramble

This might be the best tip of all: don’t wait until December to do everything. Build in small, consistent bookkeeping routines:

• Block 15–30 minutes each week for cleanup

• Do a quick mid-month review (reconcile, review, file)

• If something is off, address it then - not later

By the time December rolls in, you won’t be starting from zero.

Bonus Tip: Use the Right Tools and Support

Even the best habits can feel burdensome if you’re using clunky software or are unsure how to fix errors. A few best practices:

• Use a solid cloud bookkeeping software (QuickBooks Online, Xero, etc.)

• Set up automations and bank feeds to reduce manual entry

• Lean on a bookkeeping partner for oversight, coaching, or quarterly reviews

When you combine good habits with smart tools, your books almost maintain themselves.

It's simple: a few minutes here and there throughout the year save you hours in December. You’ll avoid panic, reduce errors, and have clarity as you head into the new year.

If you ever feel stuck or want someone to review your books quarterly, we’re here to help at SMG Business Services. Schedule a Clarity Call today and take the stress out of December.