ATL Bookkeeper · Free owner resource
Blank templates for a service-business owner and bookkeeper. Save this document locally, open it in a document editor to fill it in, or print it. There are no scripts, analytics, uploads or network form submissions in this file.
Educational planning aid only—not a review of your books, a professional opinion on an actual file, or a substitute for your engagement letter. Use only applicable steps within the agreed scope. Tax preparation, payroll processing, sales-tax filings and assurance services are not included.
| Field | Complete locally for this close |
|---|---|
| Business/entity | |
| Period being closed | |
| Reporting method | |
| Accounts in scope (internal labels only) | |
| Bookkeeping preparer / owner contact | |
| Agreed records-due / report-delivery dates | |
| Records received through | |
| Status: Waiting / Preparing / Owner answers needed / Reports prepared | |
| Material unresolved items / exception IDs | |
| Report version/date |
“Reports prepared” describes workflow status, not an audit, review or assurance engagement.
Use Not started / Waiting / Complete / Not applicable. Record support rather than guessing through missing information.
| Check | Responsible person | Status | Evidence reference / next action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Confirm entity, period and agreed accounts | |||
| Gather complete bank/card statements | |||
| Gather supporting receipts, invoices and explanations | |||
| Check activity for gaps, duplicates and unexplained items | |||
| Identify transfers, owner and other non-operating movements | |||
| Reconcile agreed accounts without unsupported balancing entries | |||
| Support other relevant balances within scope | |||
| Resolve questions or retain them in the exception log | |||
| Prepare agreed reports with period/method/limits clear | |||
| Explain unusual movements or add exceptions | |||
| Obtain owner answers and acknowledgment | |||
| Retain the report version, support and exception log |
A close checklist is not a promise that every procedure is included in every package. Agree on the work and responsibility split first.
Replace role labels with actual names, due dates and agreed boundaries.
| Activity | Business owner / named person | Bookkeeper / named person | Boundary or due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Control subscription and grant agreed access | |||
| Provide statements and source records | |||
| Explain ambiguous business transactions | |||
| Categorize and reconcile agreed activity | |||
| Support owner/loan movements and refer specialist questions | |||
| Prepare and discuss agreed reports | |||
| Make and act on operating decisions | |||
| Retain separate tax/payroll/sales-tax provider where needed |
Owners retain business access and management responsibility. Do not send passwords through an inquiry form.
A request asks for an input. Use short secure references—not document contents, personal identifiers or full account numbers.
| Request ID / period | Account/source label | Record or answer / reason | Requested from / date | Agreed due date | Status / received date | Secure reference / next action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
An exception explains what remains uncertain, how it might affect the reports and what happens next.
| Exception ID / period | Observation / amount if known | Evidence / what remains unknown | Possible report effect | Responsible person / next action | Due date / status | Resolution reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reports for __________________ have been prepared using __________________ through __________________. The remaining questions are __________________. Their possible effects are __________________. The next actions and responsible people are __________________.
Do not describe an unresolved file as fully corrected or tax-ready solely because reports can be produced.