CFO’s Perspective: Accounting Priorities at Year-End
- Nikki Winston, CPA
- Aug 19
- 3 min read

This time of year global vacations are wrapping up, leadership is tapping back into work, and the employees are pondering and planning their next move. So it’s time to figure out what the accounting priorities are, re-engage the team, and set short-term goals for the team to finish strong before the end of the year.
For employees, they’re wondering if the bonus payout for the second half of the year has their name on it, if the number is what they expected, and if it’s time to make a move before the end of the year. Because we’re going to see some busyness from the time after Labor Day until right before Thanksgiving, and then from there, it’s going to slow down until the first of the year.
An employee who is invested in their own professional development will understand these timelines and know that if you’re in a job where you know you don’t want to be any longer, the time to pounce is right now. The time to start messaging your LinkedIn connections that you’re connected TO but never connected WITH is now.
Meanwhile, the CFO is thinking about the audit PBC coming in, the reconciliations that haven’t been cleaned all year, but we need to reconcile and identify and resolve these reconciling items. We know we need to create memos about the acquisitions that we made this year. We’re starting to look closer at how accurate the accruals are, and what the thought process and rationale is for our AP accruals. And we’re wondering how much money can we collect from our customers before 12/31?
There’s a lot going on in a short period of time, and this post will lay out for you what the senior leadership is thinking about, what the employees are thinking about, and what your investors are looking forward to. All within a few weeks’ time. Three quarters of work being wrapped up in just a few weeks.
What’s Top of Mind at with Accounting Prioritities at Year-End
Slow hiring over the summer → creates the need for interim help in accounting and controllership roles.
Employee reaction to bonuses → disappointment can trigger unexpected resignations, again creating interim staffing needs.
Audit season preparation → the audit PBC is coming, which will expose what needs to be cleaned up now.
Month-end close acceleration → tightening the close timeline is key to year-end reporting accuracy.
Reconciliations & documentation → unresolved reconciling items and undocumented processes will not survive audit scrutiny.
Budget season kick-off → first-pass budgets due early fall bring evaluation of org structure, account mappings, roll-ups, and dimensions.
Vendor contracts → assessing renewals before January, negotiating for extended terms or additional services at the same cost.
Tax position optimization → companies with quarterly provisions or annual entries must evaluate whether to purchase or defer, and CFOs are calling CPAs now for timing strategies.
FAQs: Accounting Priorities at Year End
Why is audit season such a pressure point for CFOs and controllers?
Audit season compresses three quarters of unresolved work—PBC lists, reconciliations, accrual reviews, memos—into a narrow window. Anything missed earlier in the year surfaces now.
How do employee bonuses impact controllership priorities?
Missed or disappointing bonuses lead to unexpected resignations, creating gaps in accounting teams right when audit prep and budgets peak. Interim help often becomes essential.
What’s the CFO’s top priority between Labor Day and year-end?
Collecting cash before 12/31, validating accruals, completing reconciliations, preparing audit PBC deliverables, and finalizing budgets for the new year.
How should companies approach vendor negotiations at year-end?
Push for extended payment terms, bundled services, or flat renewals to optimize cash flow while entering the new fiscal year.
How can tax planning affect year-end decisions?
Timing of purchases and deferrals can shift the current-year tax position. CFOs and controllers collaborate with tax advisors in the fall to optimize the strategy.
The information contained within this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for obtaining accounting, tax, or advisory services from a CPA. NikkWinstonCPA LLC is not responsible for any losses or damages incurred by relying on the information provided here. Book a consultation with a a CPA for guidance on your specific business needs.
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