There’s a unique energy in the air as August turns to September. The long, hazy days of summer recede, and a new sense of purpose takes hold. It’s a “back to business” mindset that smart business owners can harness as a powerful catalyst for action. The final four months of the calendar year are often the most intense, culminating in a frantic rush of sales targets, operational deadlines, and, all too often, a last-minute scramble to sort out finances before the holidays.

This year, what if you did it differently? What if, instead of being reactive, you were proactively in control?

If our “August Financial Health Check” article was about taking your business’s temperature, this checklist is the prescription for ensuring peak performance before year-end. By breaking down essential financial tasks into a manageable, month-by-month plan, you can navigate this busy period with confidence. From our office in Fernhill Heath, we guide our clients through this process, transforming a period of potential stress into one of strategic accomplishment. This is your 4-month checklist to end the year strong.

Part 1: September – Review, Fortify, and Strategise

With a clear head after the summer break, September is the perfect time to review your foundations and set the strategy for the months ahead.

Action 1: Finalise Your H2 Business Plan. The informal review you conducted in August now needs to be crystallised into a formal plan. Lock in your revised targets, budgets, and cash flow forecasts for the remainder of the year. If you’re planning a major pre-Christmas sales drive or need to invest in new stock, quantify the costs and expected returns now. A written plan provides clarity and accountability for you and your team.

Action 2: Conduct a Business Protection Audit. Before heading into a high-pressure season, it’s vital to check your safety nets. As we explored in “The Forgotten Exit Plan,” the consequences of an unexpected event can be catastrophic without the right protections.

• Review Your Cover: Has your business grown this year? Is your Key Person insurance still adequate to cover the loss of a vital individual? Is your Shareholder Protection insurance value aligned with the current valuation of the business?
• Check the Paperwork: Dig out your Shareholder or Partnership Agreement. Does it still reflect the wishes of all owners? Crucially, do you and your fellow directors all have Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in place? An LPA is the only way to ensure someone can legally manage your business affairs if you become incapacitated.

Action 3: Schedule Your Key Advisory Meetings.

The best advisors are the busiest advisors. Don’t wait until you have a problem. Book your pre-year-end meetings with your accountant and financial advisor now for a date in October or November. This gets you priority access before their diaries become completely blocked, ensuring you get timely, unhurried advice.

Part 2: October – Maximise Your Allowances

October is the month for decisive action on your personal wealth-building, using up the valuable tax-free allowances before they are lost.

Action 4: Turbo-Charge Your Pension Contributions. This is arguably the most impactful financial action a director can take. As we detailed in our “Salary vs. Dividends vs. Pension” guide, using company profits to fund your pension is exceptionally tax-efficient.

• Maximise Your Annual Allowance: You have a £60,000 allowance for the 2025/26 tax year. Making a significant employer contribution now not only boosts your retirement fund but also dramatically reduces your company’s Corporation Tax bill.
• Investigate ‘Carry Forward’: If your business has had a particularly profitable year, you may be able to contribute more than the annual allowance. You can ‘carry forward’ any unused allowances from the previous three tax years. An October review gives you time to do the calculations and make the contribution without pressure. This is a powerful tool that, as we discussed in our “Is Your Business Your Pension?” articles, is fundamental to de-risking your reliance on the company itself.

Action 5: Use Your ‘Use-It-or-Lose-It’ Investment Allowances.

• Fund Your ISA: The tax year is more than half over. Have you used your £20,000 ISA allowance? Drip-feeding money in monthly is great, but if you have cash available, now is the time to make sure you are on track to maximise this tax-free wrapper.
• Plan Your Capital Gains: The Capital Gains Tax (CGT) annual exemption is only £3,000. If you hold investments outside of an ISA or pension and are planning to sell some, October is an ideal time to review your portfolio. You can realise gains up to the £3,000 limit completely tax-free, a strategy best planned in a calm moment rather than a December rush.

Part 3: November – Smart Tax and Legacy Planning

As winter approaches, your focus should shift to fine-tuning your tax position and checking in on your long-term legacy.

Action 6: Pre-Year-End Tax Optimisation. Work with your accountant to make small adjustments that can have a big impact.

• Timing of Income and Expenditure: Could it be beneficial to bring forward a large asset purchase to claim capital allowances in this financial year? Or could you delay raising a large invoice until after your company’s year-end?
• Plan Your Staff Rewards: If you’re planning to give staff a Christmas bonus, remember the tax implications. It’s also a good time to review the rules for tax-free ‘trivial benefits’ (£50 per employee) and the tax exemption for an annual event like a Christmas party (£150 per head).

Action 7: A Quick Estate Plan Check-in. With family gatherings often planned for December, November is a thoughtful time to ensure your long-term affairs are in order. You don’t need a full overhaul, but ask yourself:

• Is my will up-to-date and does it reflect my current circumstances and wishes?
• Have I considered how my family would handle my estate? A quick review now can highlight any issues to be properly addressed in the New Year.

Part 4: December – Consolidate and Look Ahead

Use the natural slowdown in the latter half of December for financial housekeeping and forward-thinking.

Action 8: Consolidate and ‘De-clutter’. Do you have multiple old pension pots from previous jobs? The quiet time before Christmas is perfect for finally getting the paperwork together to consolidate them. This reduces life admin, can lower overall fees, and gives you a much clearer picture of your retirement savings.

Action 9: Sketch Out Your 2026 High-Level Goals. While the performance of the current year is fresh in your mind, take an hour to jot down your primary goals for the year ahead. What was your biggest win in 2025? What was the most significant challenge? What one thing do you want to achieve next year? This simple exercise will make your formal planning session in January infinitely more productive.

Conclusion: Arrive at Year-End with Confidence

By following this structured, four-month approach, you can transform the end of the year from a period of high stress into a time of focused accomplishment. You will not only make smarter financial decisions but will also free up your mental energy to focus on running your business and, most importantly, enjoying a well-deserved break with your family over the festive period. Ending the year strong is the single best way to ensure you start the next one even stronger, with a clear plan and the confidence that comes from being in complete control.