Year-end goes smoothly when a few things are handled before the calendar actually closes, rather than after. Here's a short list worth reviewing while there's still time to act.

• Reconcile your accounts. Make sure your books actually match your bank and credit card statements.
• Review outstanding invoices. Chase anything overdue before it becomes next year's problem.
• Confirm expense categorization. Miscategorized expenses are one of the most common sources of avoidable tax cost.
• Check in on major purchases. Timing a purchase before or after year-end can matter for tax planning.
• Set aside time to talk with us. A short planning conversation before year-end often creates options that simply don't exist afterward.

None of this needs to take long, but doing it in December rather than April makes a real difference.