End of Quarter Checklist - Q3 2025
Quarter is ending soon, are you ready?
End of Quarter Business Checklist: What to Review Before You Close the Books
As another quarter wraps up, smart businesses take time to pause and evaluate their operations. A solid quarterly review doesn’t just tidy up the books — it protects you from compliance headaches, boosts employee satisfaction, and sets your team up for a stronger next quarter. Here are the key areas you should make sure are in good standing before quarter-end.
✅ Payroll & Compensation
Payroll mistakes are one of the quickest ways to lose employee trust — in fact, more than half of employees say they’d look for a new job after repeated errors. Before you close the quarter:
Verify payroll records are accurate, including garnishments, deductions, and overtime.
Double-check tax withholdings and ensure filings are up to date.
Review any adjustments for bonuses, commissions, or corrections.
✅ Benefits & Compliance
Regulations never sit still, and failing to comply can cost your business thousands in penalties. Each quarter, make sure you’ve:
Completed ACA 1094/1095 reporting if required.
Confirmed COBRA/State Continuation notices are sent on time.
Run nondiscrimination testing on health and benefit plans.
Updated ERISA plan documents and filings (including 5500s for companies with 100+ participants).
✅ HR & Employee Reviews
Your people are your biggest investment. Quarterly check-ins keep performance aligned with goals while strengthening company culture. This is the time to:
Conduct or update performance reviews with fair, compassionate evaluation.
Refresh employee handbooks and policies to reflect any new workplace or legal changes.
Recognize high performers and document areas needing improvement.
✅ Financial & Strategic Planning
Quarter-end is also a financial checkpoint:
Reconcile accounts receivable and payable.
Review budgets vs. actuals and make adjustments for the next quarter.
Evaluate staffing levels and resource planning.
Revisit company goals to ensure alignment with strategy.
Final Thought
Quarterly reviews aren’t just about compliance — they’re about staying proactive. By checking payroll, benefits, HR, and financial standing, you protect your business from costly mistakes and set the stage for growth.
If handling all of this feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. At The Benefit Pros, we specialize in payroll, HR, and compliance support to keep your business running smoothly — so you can focus on growing it.