BUSINESS ARTICLE

Preparing for Financial Year End in Singapore: Complete Checklist for Compliance

Preparing for Financial Year End in Singapore: Complete Checklist for Compliance

The financial year-end is a critical period for businesses in Singapore. It’s when companies review financial records, close accounts, and ensure compliance with ACRA and IRAS regulations.

A clear and well-structured checklist for the financial year-end streamlines the process, supports compliance, and ensures accurate financial reporting.

Proper execution provides a clear view of your business finances and helps prevent errors that could lead to fines or delays.

Why Financial Year-End Preparation Matters

The Importance of Financial Year-End Closing

Financial year-end is more than closing your accounts, it ensures compliance and strategic planning, helping your business stay on track, meet all requirements, and plan for future budget forecasts.

Key benefits include:

  • Staying compliant with ACRA and IRAS requirements
  • Accurate financial reporting for better decision-making
  • Identifying growth opportunities and cost management

Good preparation keeps your company organised, confident, and ready to start the new financial year smoothly.

Common Challenges in Financial Year-End Processes

Many companies face problems during their financial year-end. Common issues include:

  • Mistakes in year-end accounting procedures caused by incomplete or missing records
  • Rushed submissions to meet deadlines for financial statements and tax reporting
  • Confusion over adjustments, accruals, and reconciliations

Early planning reduces stress and avoids last-minute mistakes.

Outsourcing accounting business

Financial Year-End Checklist for Singapore Companies

A detailed financial year-end checklist helps you stay organised and meet all reporting and tax submission deadlines. Below are the key steps for Singapore businesses.

Organise and Reconcile Financial Records

  • Record all transactions accurately in your accounting system
  • Reconcile accounts payable, accounts receivable, and bank statements
  • Verify outstanding balances with supporting documents

Good record-keeping, supported by reliable accounting and bookkeeping services, ensures everything is in order before the year ends.

Review Year-End Accounting Procedures

  • Record all accruals, prepayments, and adjustments
  • Verify stock counts and inventory valuation
  • Update depreciation and review fixed assets

Completing these year-end accounting procedures ensures your books are correct and up to date.

Prepare Financial Statements

  • Prepare the Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statements
  • Ensure compliance with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS)
  • Review notes and disclosures for accuracy

Strong financial reporting gives a clear picture of your company’s performance and supports better decision-making. Working with an experienced accounting team can help ensure your year-end procedures comply with Singapore Financial Reporting Standards (SFRS).

Tax Compliance Tasks

  • Submit Estimated Chargeable Income (ECI) within three months of your financial year end
  • File your corporate tax returns (Form C-S or C) with IRAS
  • Utilise tax benefits like Partial Tax Exemption (PTE) and Start-Up Tax Exemption (SUTE)

Early preparation and the support of experienced corporate tax advisors can help you meet all tax requirements without rushing at the last minute.

Fulfil Statutory and Regulatory Requirements

  • File your Annual Returns with ACRA after finalising your financial statements
  • Prepare for audits if required
  • Complete directors’ resolutions and Annual General Meeting (AGM) requirements

Staying compliant with these regulations helps your business maintain a good reputation and avoid penalties.

Employee and Payroll Compliance

  • Verify CPF contributions, salaries, and benefits are recorded correctly
  • Submit Form IR8A and related reports to IRAS
  • Account for bonuses, claims, and leave balances

Accurate payroll processing supported by compliant payroll management services ensures that both HR and finance records remain aligned at year-end.

Streamlining Financial Year-End Closing

The financial year-end closing checklist can seem like a lot of work, but it becomes much easier with early planning and good systems in place.

Start the Process Early

Start reviewing accounts, reconciling transactions, and checking records before your financial year-end date. Doing things early helps prevent errors and gives you time to fix any issues.

Leverage Technology for Efficiency

Use accounting software to save time and reduce mistakes.

  • Choose tools that connect with payroll and tax systems.
  • Automate parts of financial reporting to avoid manual data entry.

Technology makes your financial year-end closing process faster and smoother.

Engage Professional Services

Working with a professional accountant or​​​​ corporate services provider can make the process easier.

  • Experts can handle year-end accounting procedures and make sure your business follows ACRA and IRAS rules.
  • They can also help prepare financial statements, manage audits, and file returns.

Engaging expert support allows your team to focus on daily operations while professionals manage compliance and ensure accuracy.

Conduct Regular Reviews

Don’t wait until the end of the year to review your books. Conduct monthly or quarterly checks to stay on top of your accounts. Regular reviews help identify issues early and reduce last-minute pressure during the financial year-end closing period.

Investing in talent

How Professional Services Simplify Financial Year-End Reporting

Professional corporate service providers can help companies handle the financial yearend more efficiently. 

Here is how: 

  • Expertise in Financial Reporting and Compliance: Professionals understand local accounting and tax requirements, helping you stay compliant and meet all deadlines. 
  • Time and Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing your financial yearend checklist saves time and helps prevent costly mistakes. 
  • Error Reduction: Trained accountants carefully review your records to ensure everything is accurate. 

By working with professionals, your company can handle the year-end process confidently and avoid unnecessary stress. 

Closing Your Books the Right Way

Financial yearend is vital for compliance and planning. A clear, structured financial yearend checklist makes the process easier and more organised, while also ensuring accurate financial reporting. 

Leveraging technology, maintaining proper records, and engaging professional support can make your financial yearend closing process simple, accurate, and stress-free.  

Get expert help from BoardRoom Singapore today to ensure your financial yearend closing is accurate, compliant, and hassle-free. 

Contact BoardRoom for more information:

Ng Hui Xian

Head of Accounting and Tax

E: [email protected]

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