The year-end accounting checklist for small business owners As the calendar year-end quickly approaches, your business fiscal year-end, or 12-month business cycle, may also be coming to a close. Even if it isn’t your Fiscal Year-End, this is still a good time to make sure your books are in order for the start of a new year. This doesn’t just mean tax planning and getting your budget ready for next year. It also means getting your business in order for