1. Review Your Budget to Actual
If you're not on track to make your budgeted goals, now's the time to fix it. Review your year-to-date results and compare them to your budget. If your forecast for the rest of the year doesn't get you to where you need to be, make some adjustments to either reduce expenses, increase revenues, or both!
2. Ensure Your Accounting Records Are Updated
It's a good idea to keep your accounting records updated on a regular basis, but if you've been putting them off, the fall's a good time to check back in and make sure everything looks good.
3. Prepare For Year-End Payroll Reporting
If you pay employees or independent contractors, you'll likely have some forms to file come year-end. Both Form 1099 (for independent contractors) and Form W-2 (for employees) have set filing deadlines and require certain information about the recipient. If you haven't previously collected this information (such as their full name, mailing address and social security number), now's the time. Track down this information before year-end so that you're not scrambling around for it right before the filing deadline.