Let’s be real—year-end sneaks up on us fast. Between holiday plans, client projects, and the endless email avalanche, it’s easy to put off planning for the next year until- well, next year. The thing is, a little prep now saves you major stress (not to mention time and money) later. Whether you’re switching tools, setting goals, or just trying to start 2026 on solid ground, we’ve got you.
Here are six smart things we recommend doing before January 1:
1. Considering a Switch? Year-End is the Best Time to Do It
If you’re thinking about changing your accounting software, payroll provider, or even your tech stack, the cleanest time to do it is at the close of a calendar year. We see this all the time- business owners who want to switch tools but wait until “things slow down.” Spoiler alert: they never do. Year-end is your golden reset moment- take advantage of it. Starting fresh in January means easier reporting, smoother data transfers, and no messy mid-year cutovers.
✅ Switching accounting systems?
Now’s the time to start planning. Migrating from one accounting software to another, such as Xero to QuickBooks Online or NetSuite to QuickBooks Enterprise, takes time and planning. It’s not as simple as turning one on and the other off. You’ll want support from a team that specializes in migrations and conversions (hey, we do that 👋). Don’t worry, it’s not scary when you have a plan.
✅ Thinking of switching payroll providers?
Again, year-end is prime time because of things like quarterly and annual payroll tax reporting. Providers like Gusto offer built-in perks like auto-calculated (and paid!) 401(k) contributions, pay-as-you-go workers' comp that saves you from tedious annual audits, and built-in HR tools (like Mineral). Translation: less admin time, fewer surprises, and one less thing on your mental load. Plus, they’re super cost-effective vs. the payrolls of old.
✅ Client-facing tech changes?
Swapping your sales platform or CRM? Year-end provides a natural transition point for you and your customers. Don’t wait until Q2 when you’re already buried.
2. Do a Full-Year Calendar Review (Yes, Now)
This one’s a game-changer.
We're talking about getting all your major internal events on the calendar now, so you’re not scrambling mid-year. This might sound simple, but it’s one of those small hinges that swing big doors. We do this internally at Accounting Therapy during our annual planning and we can confirm: it keeps us sane when Q1 gets busy.
Start with:
- Company retreats & annual planning weeks (yes, calendar your 2027 planning now!)
- Internal meetings (monthly, quarterly, etc.)
- Recurring trainings or team reviews
- Major conferences or industry events
- High-volume client periods or blackout dates
Having these blocked early means you can plan around them as you move through 2026 instead of getting blindsided by overlap or last-minute chaos.
3. Build a Real Budget (Then Use It Like a Forecast)
If you’re building a budget for 2026, here’s your checklist:
- Income projections
- Team capacity (hires, raises, changes)
- Departmental needs (training, appreciation, tools)
- Marketing plan + spend goals
- Your wish list! Start big, then refine
And here’s the key mindset shift:
Your budget shouldn’t be the “set it and forget it” kind that collects dust by February. Instead, treat it like a living document. Update it regularly to reflect your actual income and expenses and tweak your future projections as you go. It starts as a plan, but comes January, it becomes a forecast that evolves with your business.
👉 Want more tips and tricks for building your budget? We’re doing a 30-minute-deep dive into what we’ve learned while budgeting (and how we’re refining it for 2026). Join us for “What We’ve Learned About Budgeting (and How We’re Refining for 2026)“ webinar on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. PST.
4. Run an Annual Planning Session
Your budget is one piece—but what’s your game plan for 2026? We all have big ideas—but without a plan to back them, they stay as ideas. That’s where your annual planning session comes in.
During your annual planning session, be sure to:
- Reflect on revenue goals and ensure you have a plan to support them
- Identify big initiatives by quarter
- Clarify how you’ll drive results (sales, marketing, team)
- Assign owners and high-level timelines
Pro tip: You can include anyone who helps execute your big goals—whether that’s your operations lead, marketing point person, or accounting partner. Want more tips on annual planning? Check out this blog post!
And remember: not everything needs to happen in Q1. Spread things out. Create a "parking lot" for good ideas that aren't urgent. (What’s a “parking lot,” you ask? This blog will tell more!)
5. Audit Your Tech Stack
Between subscriptions, apps, and upgrades, it’s easy to lose track of what you’re actually paying for. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve found clients still paying for tools they stopped using two years ago. (Hello, mystery $49 charge.)
Take stock of:
- What tools are you actually using?
- What’s collecting dust (but still billing you)?
- What’s missing from your workflow?
Year-end is a great time to:
- Consolidate platforms
- Cancel unused subscriptions
- Plan transitions for tools that renew mid-year
Bonus tip: Keep a simple list of renewal dates for all your tech and add them to your calendar to avoid any surprise renewals down the road.
6. Find Some Space to Actually Think
Trust us, we know it’s hard to slow down—our team struggles with it too. But the best decisions rarely happen when you’re racing the clock. Before you get started on this list… set aside real, dedicated time for this one. Block off for a few hours. Take your CEO or leadership hat to a coffee shop. Reflect. Think. Plan. Ask:
- What worked this year?
- What didn’t?
- Where do I want to be next December?
- What needs to change to get there?
And if you find this dedicated reflection time helpful, make sure to add more of it to your 2026 calendar.
We dare you. 😉
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a perfectly polished plan. But taking a few intentional steps now can make 2026 feel a whole lot more manageable.
So whether you're switching tools, setting goals, or building your budget, don't wait until January 1 to start.
✨ A little planning now = a calmer, more confident 2026. Your future self will thank you.
Until next time – happy planning!
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