Month-End Close Checklist and Client Tracker (Excel and Google Sheets)

Close the books on a predictable schedule. This simple Excel checklist and client tracker shows what needs doing each month-end, by which day, and which clients are late, without learning new software.

WHAT YOU GET (one .xlsx file, works in Excel and Google Sheets)

• Close Checklist: 24 tasks across Request, Escalate, Process, Review, Deliver and After close. Enter the first business day and every due date fills in. Status drop-downs, a progress count, and due dates that turn red when overdue.
• Client Tracker: one row per client with status, owner, documents due, missing items, risk flag and delivery date, with an Overdue column and a status summary.
• Close Calendar: enter the first business day once and see the phase dates for the whole close.
• Follow-Up Messages: three messages to adapt for chasing missing documents on day 1, day 2 and day 4.
• Start Here: a one-page guide (set up in about 10 minutes).

WHO IT IS FOR: solo bookkeepers, small firms and in-house accountants who close the books for one or several clients.

WHO IT IS NOT FOR: anyone looking for accounting, tax or legal advice, or for software. This is a template and does not connect to your accounting system.

GOOD TO KNOW: dates skip weekends but not public holidays. Day numbers are starting points, so change the target days to suit each client. Check the drop-downs and the Overdue column after uploading to Google Sheets. Created with AI assistance and reviewed and edited by Daywell Paper Studio. Not affiliated with any accounting software or professional body.

LICENCE: one bookkeeper or firm. Use it with your own clients. Please do not resell, share or redistribute the file.

SUPPORT: daywellpaperstudio@gmail.com (replies within 2 business days).