Close Calendar
Identify close period, day-by-day deadlines, blackout dates, and reporting due dates.
4.8
on G2
Free Accounting & Audit Template
Download a free month-end close checklist template in Word, PDF, or Markdown. Or turn any video into month-end close checklist template with Docsie AI — auto-fills every required field.
Use this template to coordinate close tasks, owners, deadlines, dependencies, and review evidence.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Accounting & Audit |
| Owner | [Team or owner] |
| Version | [Version number] |
| Effective Date | [Date] |
| Review Cycle | [Monthly / Quarterly / Annual / Event-based] |
| Status | [Draft / In Review / Approved] |
Identify close period, day-by-day deadlines, blackout dates, and reporting due dates.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
List subledger cutoffs, accrual inputs, bank feeds, inventory counts, and system locks.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Track recurring entries, accruals, allocations, eliminations, and approval requirements.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
List balance sheet reconciliations, preparers, reviewers, thresholds, and due dates.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Document flux analysis, variance explanations, review meetings, and open items.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Define financial statements, dashboards, covenant reports, and distribution list.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Capture controller approval, retained evidence, and post-close improvement actions.
| Item | Details | Owner | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
| [Item or requirement] | [Describe the relevant detail, evidence, or decision] | [Owner] | [Open / Complete] |
[Add context, assumptions, exceptions, evidence links, screenshots, calculations, or reviewer comments.]
Deploy this checklist at month-end close to ensure consistent, auditable financial statement preparation across all accounting cycles.
This template structures the entire month-end close workflow from pre-close cutoffs through final management reporting and signoff.
Teams often miss critical close steps when relying on informal processes or undocumented institutional knowledge.
Template Structure
Use this accounting & audit template as a starting point, then customize each section to match your internal workflow, evidence, and signoff needs.
Identify close period, day-by-day deadlines, blackout dates, and reporting due dates.
List subledger cutoffs, accrual inputs, bank feeds, inventory counts, and system locks.
Track recurring entries, accruals, allocations, eliminations, and approval requirements.
List balance sheet reconciliations, preparers, reviewers, thresholds, and due dates.
Document flux analysis, variance explanations, review meetings, and open items.
Define financial statements, dashboards, covenant reports, and distribution list.
Capture controller approval, retained evidence, and post-close improvement actions.
Write a month-end close checklist for an accounting team. Structure with these Markdown sections:
Identify close period, day-by-day deadlines, blackout dates, and reporting due dates.
List subledger cutoffs, accrual inputs, bank feeds, inventory counts, and system locks.
Track recurring entries, accruals, allocations, eliminations, and approval requirements.
List balance sheet reconciliations, preparers, reviewers, thresholds, and due dates.
Document flux analysis, variance explanations, review meetings, and open items.
Define financial statements, dashboards, covenant reports, and distribution list.
Capture controller approval, retained evidence, and post-close improvement actions.
| Close Day | Task | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Lock AP subledger | AP Lead |
| Day 2 | Post payroll accrual | Senior Accountant |
| Day 4 | Complete flux review | Controller |
All cash, debt, payroll, and revenue reconciliations require reviewer signoff before reporting package release.
Controller approval is required by 5:00 PM on Close Day 5.
Already have a walkthrough or training video covering this process? Skip manual drafting. Upload the video and Docsie AI generates month-end close checklist template with every required field populated — ready for review, signoff, or export.
Use the template manually, or let Docsie generate the first draft from source footage.
Prepare balance sheet reconciliations with support, reconciling items, aging, and review signoff
Track proposed, recorded, and waived audit adjustments with rationale and financial statement impact
Document audit scope, materiality, risks, staffing, timing, and planned procedures
Document audit objective, procedures, evidence, results, and reviewer signoff
Plan ownership, corrective actions, validation, and reporting for control gaps
Verify financial statement amounts and disclosures against support, trial balance, and workpapers
Template FAQ
Common questions about downloading and generating a month-end close checklist template.
Q: What is a month-end close checklist template?
A: A month-end close checklist template is a structured document for coordinate close tasks, owners, deadlines, dependencies, and review evidence.
Q: Is the month-end close checklist template really free?
A: Yes. The month-end close checklist template is completely free to download in Word (DOCX), PDF, and Markdown formats. No signup or credit card required to download.
Q: How do I turn a video into a month-End Close Checklist?
A: Upload a process walkthrough, training recording, or screen capture to Docsie. The AI analyzes the video and generates a complete month-End Close Checklist using this template's structure — every required field auto-filled from the footage.
Q: Can I edit the month-end close checklist template after downloading?
A: Yes. The DOCX format opens in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. The Markdown format imports into Notion, Confluence, Docsie, or any markdown editor. Customize fields, add your branding, and adapt to your internal workflow.