Published on Dec 1, 2024

Staying All the Way Live in 2025

Written by Michelle Brown

Zelda P. Moneysworth Presents The Future-Proofing Bookkeepers Guide to Staying All the Way Live in 2025

Greetings, trailblazers and small business builders! Zelda P. Moneysworth here, your ever-faithful guide and champion of all things financial finesse. If this checklist is in your paws, you’re already leagues ahead of the pack, ready to make 2025 the year you go from surviving to absolutely thriving.

Financial wellness isn’t about grand leaps—it’s about those small, daily moves that stack up into game-changing transformations. Think of this guide as your secret playbook for sniffing out success, fetching better habits, and wagging your way to long-term prosperity.

So whether you’re a small business maven, a professional services wizard, or an entrepreneur chasing dreams bigger than a Great Dane’s appetite, you’re in the right place. Let’s dig in and stay all the way live in 2025! 🐾

Whether you’re a small business owner, a professional services leader, or an entrepreneur with big dreams, this checklist is designed for you. Let’s dig in and unleash your potential! 🐾

How to Use This Checklist

This isn’t just a one-and-done guide—it’s your playbook for the entire year. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Reflect and Reset: Start by reviewing the foundational sections to assess where you are and where you’d like to go.
Focus on Quarterly Goals: Break your tasks into smaller, actionable steps using the quarterly breakout sections.
Customize to Fit: Adapt the steps to meet your business’s unique needs. No two journeys are the same, and this checklist is flexible to grow with you.
Use It Consistently: Revisit this guide regularly to stay on track. Consistency is the secret ingredient to success.
Celebrate Wins: Every milestone matters—don’t forget to pause and acknowledge your progress!

Now, let’s dive in.

1. Reflect and Reset

The first step to transformation is taking stock of where you are. Use your past performance to guide better decisions moving forward.

Review Last Year’s Financial Reports: Pinpoint areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
Audit Spending Habits: Identify patterns and adjust for more strategic spending.
Set Your Intention: Choose one financial habit to focus on improving this year (e.g., reviewing accounts monthly).

Pro Tip: Small, consistent improvements compound into significant results over time.

Quarterly Breakouts

Q1: Laying the Foundation

Set Quarterly Goals: Identify key objectives for the first three months that align with your annual plan.
Audit Systems: Reconcile accounts, close stale costs, and optimize workflows.
Tax Prep: Organize your documentation and ensure all necessary forms (like 1099s) are submitted on time.
Engage Your Team: Set priorities through clear communication and accountability.

Pro Tip: Treat Q1 like planting season—strong foundations here set the stage for year-round growth.

Q2: Growth and Optimization

Reassess Goals: Adjust your plan based on Q1 outcomes and evolving priorities.
Marketing Momentum: Invest in seasonal campaigns and analyze ROI.
Enhance Relationships: Conduct mid-year check-ins with vendors, clients, and your CPA.
Tackle Seasonal Trends: Prepare for potential slowdowns or surges in your industry.

Pro Tip: Use the energy of spring to refresh and refine your strategies.

Q3: Scaling Smarter

Cash Flow Check-In: Review financial health post-Q2 to stay on track for year-end.
Plan Major Investments: Evaluate technology upgrades, hiring, or equipment needs.
Engage Your Team: Conduct performance reviews and recognize their contributions.
Prepare for Tax Season: Begin gathering necessary documentation for Q4 filings.

Pro Tip: Think of Q3 as a time to double down on what works and refine processes that don’t.

Q4: Closing Strong

Year-End Audit: Review finances to identify any discrepancies and ensure compliance.
Plan for 2026: Outline goals, budgets, and key initiatives for the new year.
Customer Appreciation: Launch a holiday campaign to thank clients and boost engagement.
Celebrate Success: Reflect on wins with your team and set the tone for the future.

Pro Tip: Finish the year with clarity and momentum by tidying up loose ends in Q4.

2. Build a Habits-Driven Financial Roadmap

Transformation starts with a plan—and good habits turn plans into reality.

Set SMART Goals: Focus on Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives.
Commit to Regular Check-Ins: Schedule monthly financial reviews to track progress and pivot as needed.
Create a Savings Habit: Set up automatic transfers to a business savings account or rainy-day fund.

Pro Tip: Align your roadmap with your daily operations to make financial discipline a seamless part of your workflow.

3. Make Consistency Your Superpower

Even the best systems falter without consistent attention.

Reconcile Accounts Monthly: Stay on top of bank statements, credit card charges, and invoices.
Review Recurring Costs Quarterly: Regularly assess subscriptions, memberships, and other ongoing expenses.
Streamline Workflows: Establish routines for invoicing, payroll, and tax preparation to save time.

Pro Tip: Block out time on your calendar for routine financial maintenance—consistency is the key to success.

4. Prep for Taxes With Peace of Mind

Good tax habits eliminate stress and help you stay ahead of deadlines.

Organize Early: Keep all receipts, income statements, and deduction documents in one central place.
Automate Contractor Forms: Use software to send and track W-9s and 1099s.
Learn From Last Year: Review past returns to find opportunities for better deductions or compliance.

Pro Tip: Work proactively with your CPA to create a year-round tax strategy.

5. Automate Where You Can

Smart automation frees up your time for high-impact tasks.

Set Up Auto-Payments: Avoid late fees by automating recurring bills.
Use Cloud Accounting Tools: Track expenses, manage invoices, and generate reports effortlessly.
Automate Savings: Dedicate a percentage of monthly revenue to future investments or emergencies.

Pro Tip: Start small with automation, then build on it as your comfort level grows.

6. Prioritize Relationship-Building

Strong partnerships are a cornerstone of financial transformation.

Touch Base with Your CPA: Schedule quarterly check-ins to stay aligned on goals.
Engage with Key Clients: Strengthen loyalty by understanding their evolving needs.
Evaluate Vendors: Work only with partners who align with your vision and deliver consistent value.

Pro Tip: Communication fosters trust and ensures everyone is working toward shared goals.

7. Focus on Personal Growth

Transformational habits don’t just apply to your business—they start with you.

Separate Business and Personal Finances: Avoid mixing funds to maintain clarity.
Invest in Your Skills: Attend workshops, conferences, or training programs that strengthen your expertise.
Practice Self-Care: Build habits that promote mental clarity and decision-making confidence.

Pro Tip: The better you care for yourself, the better you can lead your business.

8. Check Your Safety Nets

Good financial health includes preparing for the unexpected.

Review Insurance Policies: Ensure adequate coverage for liability, cybersecurity, and business interruptions.
Establish Emergency Funds: Aim for 3-6 months of operating expenses.
Back Up Key Data: Use cloud storage and secure backups to protect critical information.

Pro Tip: Regularly revisit your safety nets to ensure they evolve with your business needs.

9. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Milestones

Transformations happen incrementally—acknowledge your wins along the way.

Reflect Monthly: What worked well? What can improve? Use these insights to refine your habits.
Celebrate Small Wins: Reward yourself and your team for consistent effort, not just big results.
Share Success Stories: Highlight progress in team meetings or newsletters to keep everyone motivated.

Pro Tip: Celebrating creates momentum and keeps you focused on the journey, not just the destination.

10. Start Q1 With a Strong Foundation

The habits you establish in Q1 set the tone for the rest of the year.

Audit Your Systems: Tidy up accounts, reconcile books, and ensure processes are up to date.
Set Quarterly Goals: Break down annual targets into actionable steps for the first three months.
Engage Your Team: Make financial wellness a shared priority through clear communication and accountability.

Pro Tip: Think of Q1 as planting season—lay the groundwork now for growth all year long.

Final Thoughts

Habits drive transformation. By committing to small, consistent actions today, you can unlock a future of financial clarity, confidence, and success. At Unleashed Financial Advocates, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Ready to unleash your potential? Let’s start building habits that last.