Can you believe November is already here? Instead of just thinking about the holiday rush, it’s time to get strategic!
The end of the year is a crucial opportunity to wrap up outstanding matters, measure your business’s performance, and establish a strong foundation for a prosperous year ahead. This checklist is designed to help you tackle the essentials before December rolls around.
Your 10-Step Year-End Checklist
| Task | Why It’s Essential | Action Steps |
| 1. Back Up Your Data | Protect against data loss and security threats. | Back up essential files (accounting, patient data, emails). Keep one copy in the cloud and another offline (external hard drive) in a secure location. |
| 2. Stay on Top of Employee Matters | Ensure smooth operations and acknowledge contributions. | Update all employee information, access, and passwords. Conduct constructive performance appraisals/feedback sessions and share rewards/recognition. |
| 3. Connect with Your Patients | Maintain goodwill and inform them of holiday changes. | Send festive season wishes, details of your holiday operating hours, and invite feedback. Add an out-of-office notification (with specific dates and an emergency number) to all communication channels. |
| 4. Understand Your Financial Position | Gain insight to make informed decisions for growth. | Review management reports (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement) to understand expense patterns, profit margins, and revenue trends. |
| 5. Understand Your Tax Position | Ensure compliance and maximise savings. | Confirm your tax obligations, liabilities, and deadlines. Identify any tax deductions and credits you may qualify for before year-end. |
| 6. Review Marketing & Sales Efforts | Optimise future strategies based on performance. | Evaluate which strategies worked, which didn’t, and why. |
| 7. Collect Outstanding Invoices | Boost cash flow and start the new year fresh. | Get your December invoices out ASAP. Follow up on overdue payments now and avoid letting unpaid invoices carry over into the new year. |
| 8. Verify Supplier Information | Maintain strong partnerships and potentially lower costs. | Update your supplier database (confirm contact details). Evaluate supplier relationships and negotiate better terms for the coming year. |
| 9. Take Stock (Inventory & Assets) | Meet demand, prepare for taxes/insurance, and identify maintenance needs. | Take a physical inventory of all equipment, supplies, and stock. Set a specific day, organise the space, record quantities, and calculate total value. Effect necessary repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. |
| 10. Audit Your Digital Presence | Ensure your online front is functioning perfectly. | Test every link on your website, check your contact forms, review your social media profiles, and call your business number to ensure everything works correctly. |
Starting 2026 Off on the Right Foot
Once you’ve ended the year right, you can focus on what’s to come. Use the data from your financial statements, marketing reviews, patient feedback, and team input to:
- Evaluate progress on last year’s goals.
- Set new, ambitious goals for the coming year.
- Create a high-level action plan for each goal to guide your progress.
This checklist is a fantastic start! However, every business is unique. Consider reaching out to us for a tailored checklist and strategic planning session for your unique medical practice needs. We’d love to help you tick all the boxes before the holidays rush in.
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Email: marketing@vprof.co.za
Phone: 012 348 3567 | 074 602 7806