Saveable template
Use a month-end close request that gets the right files before the close starts.
This checklist is designed for firms that want fewer last-minute chases and fewer close delays caused by missing statements, payroll detail, or unexplained cash movement.
Use this when
- Recurring month-end close clients
- Clients who miss statement deadlines
- Teams that want one standard request before the close begins
How to use it
- Copy the checklist into email, your client portal, or your task system.
- Customize the account names and due dates for the client.
- Use the request as the evidence list for what must be on hand before close work starts.
Copy-ready template
Month-End Close Request Checklist for Accounting Firms
MONTH-END CLOSE REQUEST CHECKLIST Client: Period ending: Requested by: Document due date: Please upload the items below for the month ended [MONTH END DATE]. 1. BANK AND CASH ACCOUNTS - Monthly statements for every operating, savings, payroll, reserve, merchant, and sweep account - Statements for any new or closed bank accounts - Support for unusual transfers, owner contributions, loan proceeds, or other large cash movements 2. CREDIT CARDS - Monthly statements for all business credit cards - Statements for owner-paid cards used for business purchases - Notes for any personal charges that should be reclassified 3. LOANS, DEBT, AND FINANCING - Loan statements for all term loans, lines of credit, and equipment financing - New debt agreements, payoff notices, or refinancing documents - Support for interest-only periods, draws, and repayments outside the usual pattern 4. PAYROLL - Payroll summary report for the month - Payroll tax filings or payment confirmations if applicable - Support for bonuses, owner payroll changes, off-cycle payroll, or new benefit deductions 5. SALES AND RECEIPTS - Merchant processor summaries if deposits do not clearly tie to the bank - Sales reports for major platforms if payout timing creates cutoff differences - Support for refunds, chargebacks, gift cards, or unusual settlement adjustments 6. EXPENSES AND VENDORS - Large vendor invoices not already forwarded during the month - Receipts or backup for unusual, one-time, or high-dollar purchases - Contracts or agreements related to new recurring spend 7. FIXED ASSETS AND PREPAIDS - Support for equipment purchases, software annual plans, deposits, and prepaid items - Notes on assets placed in service during the month 8. OWNER AND RELATED-PARTY ITEMS - Explanation of owner draws, owner contributions, shareholder loans, and related-party payments - Support for reimbursements or mixed personal/business spending 9. EXCEPTIONS TO FLAG - New bank accounts or cards - New financing arrangements - Large one-time transactions - Transfers that may not be obvious from the statement description - Anything you are unsure how to classify 10. FINAL CONFIRMATION - Please confirm all statements for the month have been uploaded - Please confirm there were no additional accounts or transactions outside the items provided - Please confirm questions can be sent to: [CONTACT NAME / EMAIL] If any requested item is not available by the due date, please tell us what is missing and when it will be delivered.
Why this checklist matters
The close slows down when document collection is vague. A good request does not just say send us your statements. It says exactly which statement periods, which accounts, which exceptions, and what proof is required for anything unusual.
That precision matters because the bottleneck is usually not the accounting logic. It is the missing file, the unknown transfer, or the one owner transaction nobody explained before review.
What strong firms add to the checklist
The best close requests include both evidence requirements and exception triggers. That way the client knows what to send by default and what needs extra explanation.
- List every bank, card, loan, and merchant account by name.
- Ask for support on unusual cash movement, owner transactions, and financing activity.
- State the due date and the consequence for late delivery clearly.
Related pages
Use the template next to the workflow it supports.
Client document request template
Use the shorter message version when you need a clean client-facing send.
Open page →
Bank statement cleanup SOP
Pair the request checklist with the internal review SOP.
Open page →
Supported statement types
See which source documents Wesley can clean up once the client sends them.
Open page →
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Should this checklist be client-facing?
Yes. It is written so a client or internal contact can understand exactly what the firm needs before the close starts.
How often should I customize it?
Customize the account list once per client, then reuse it monthly with only date and exception updates.
What is the most important part to keep?
The exception triggers. Those are what stop owner transactions, new debt, or unusual transfers from becoming close surprises.
Can this live in a client portal instead of email?
Yes. Many firms keep the same wording in a client portal, workflow system, or monthly task request.
Want fewer vague requests and cleaner reviewer handoffs?
Use the template, then plug it into the workflow page that matches your statement cleanup and import-prep process.
Free Plan includes up to 1 client total. No credit card required.