Article

Year-end readiness for close and audit

Practical insights to strengthen financial reporting and reduce audit delays

June 23, 2026
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Audit Finance outsourcing Financial consulting Technical accounting

The year-end close process can reveal more than whether the books are ready—it can expose the recurring process gaps, manual workarounds, documentation issues and technical accounting matters that slow reporting and create audit pressure. For finance and accounting teams, the challenge is not only meeting current deadlines but also understanding why the same issues surface year after year and how to strengthen audit readiness before the next cycle begins.

In this year-end readiness video series, RSM professionals share practical insights to help your organization move from reaction mode to a more proactive, repeatable close process. The series explores how quarterly and month-end close discipline, stakeholder communication, timely review of nonstandard transactions and early engagement on complex matters can reduce surprises and support more efficient financial reporting. Topics include reconciliations, audit-ready documentation, business combinations, debt modifications, stock-based compensation, valuation dependencies and other technical accounting issues that often become obstacles late in the audit process.

Whether your organization is preparing for a first-time audit, managing a recurring annual audit or addressing findings from the prior year-end close, building a stronger foundation now can help improve consistency, reduce reporting delays and support stakeholder confidence. Watch the videos to learn how RSM can help your finance team identify risks earlier, resolve technical accounting and valuation challenges, and turn year-end lessons into a more stable close and reporting process.

Watch the year-end readiness video series

Hear practical perspectives on close readiness, technical accounting, valuation and recurring audit challenges.

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