Free CRM for accountants & bookkeepersFree for two months (60-day trial) · no per-user fees
Checklist · Internal
Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist for UK Accountants and Bookkeepers
The same close, every client, every month — so nothing slips between reconciliations.
Built by a practising Chartered Accountant · Unlimited users · 60-day free trial · Last updated 27 September 2026
Quick answer
A monthly bookkeeping checklist covers the tasks that keep a client's books accurate: reconciling every bank and card account, posting sales and purchases, clearing suspense, posting payroll journals, checking VAT coding and reviewing debtors and creditors. Running the same list each month makes quarter-end VAT and year-end accounts far quicker. Remindoo turns it into a recurring task per client.
Why use a monthly bookkeeping checklist?
Because small monthly gaps become large quarter-end and year-end problems. A fixed list makes the work consistent across staff and clients.
Most year-end delays start with an unreconciled account in month three. A checklist that every bookkeeper follows means reviewers know exactly what has been done, and clients get the same standard whoever is working on the file.
How do you turn the checklist into a bookkeeping workflow?
Attach it to a recurring monthly job for each bookkeeping client, with an owner, an internal deadline and a review step.
In Remindoo, a bookkeeping service template creates the monthly task automatically, assigns it to the right person and chases the client for missing records before the deadline — so the checklist actually runs rather than sitting in a folder.
Checklist preview
0/8 done · showing 8 of 23 itemsThe full 23-item checklist is in the download below. Enter your name and email to get it as a Word or PDF file.
This is a standard checklist. Each firm's requirements may vary, so please cross-check everything against current GOV.UK, Companies House and professional body guidance before relying on it.
See it working with your own clients
A 30-minute walkthrough using your services, deadlines and templates.
Turn this into a task and subtask template in Remindoo
Save each group as a task with subtasks, attach it to the right service and let recurring tasks create it for every client, every period. Each item gets an owner and a deadline, and nothing depends on someone remembering to print the list. See task and subtask templates.
Recurring tasks
Repeat work is created automatically on schedule.
See featureAutomated reminders
Timely prompts before work becomes urgent.
See featureEmail templates
Standard client messages ready to send.
See featureClient portal and document sharing
Share requests and documents securely, not by email.
See featureClient timeline
Full history of notes, emails and actions.
See featureWhat are the common mistakes?
- Reconciling the bank but not cards or payment platforms
- Leaving items in suspense for months
- Posting payroll without agreeing control accounts
- No review step before the period is locked
- Chasing clients ad hoc instead of on a schedule
“Companies House integration onboards clients in minutes; AML scoring keeps us compliant.”
Frequently asked questions
What should be on a monthly bookkeeping checklist?
Records collection, posting, reconciliations of every bank, card and control account, VAT coding checks, and a review of debtors, creditors and the profit and loss.
How long should monthly bookkeeping take?
It depends on transaction volume and how quickly clients send records. A consistent checklist and early chasing reduce the time more than anything else.
Is this checklist suitable for MTD for VAT clients?
Yes. Keeping records digitally and reconciled each month supports MTD for VAT, but always check current HMRC requirements for each client.
Can Remindoo run the checklist for every client?
Yes. A bookkeeping service template creates the monthly task per client with an owner, deadline and automatic client reminders.
Does Remindoo do the bookkeeping?
No. The bookkeeping happens in Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent or your chosen software. Remindoo manages the workflow, deadlines and client chasing.
Ready to run a calmer practice?
See Remindoo with your own clients, or start free for 60 days with unlimited users.
Sources
Last updated 27 September 2026. General guidance, not regulatory advice.
Why recording every task matters in an accountancy practice
Accounting firms run on deadlines: VAT returns, payroll, confirmation statements, accounts and Self Assessment. Recording every job as a task, with an owner and a date, is the simplest way to make sure nothing is missed.
Avoid penalties
HMRC and Companies House charge penalties for late filing. A task for every deadline, with an internal date before it, gives the team a buffer.
Nothing depends on memory
Recorded tasks mean work continues when someone is off sick, on leave or has left the firm.
Consistent quality
Subtask checklists make every job follow the same steps and reviews, whoever does the work.
Visibility for managers
Filters by owner, status and deadline show at a glance what is late, what is due and who needs help.
Practical tips from UK practice
- Set an internal deadline two to four weeks before every statutory deadline.
- Use recurring tasks for repeat work such as VAT, payroll and bookkeeping.
- Break larger jobs into subtasks, including a review step.
- Comment on the task instead of by email, so the history stays with the work.
Related Remindoo features
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT, Chartered Accountant with 18+ years in practice. Founder and MD of Accotax, an ICAEW, ACCA and AAT regulated London practice that has served over 5,000 clients, and founder of Remindoo. Guidance is general; check current GOV.UK and professional body guidance for your firm.
What UK practices say about Remindoo
Read all reviews on Trustpilot“With Remindoo, everything from the first enquiry to onboarding and ongoing client management is tracked in one place… It saves us hours and gives me, as a practice owner, complete visibility of where the firm stands.”
“The biggest benefit is having clients, tasks, deadlines, workflows, proposals and communication all organised in one place.”
“During my trial, the team were absolutely amazing. They helped onboard my clients, set up my settings and made sure everything was ready for me to use… they made the whole process completely stress-free.”
“It brings client information, tasks, recurring deadlines, workflows and reminders together in one place, giving us much better visibility across the team.”
