The September Business Reset: 7 Things to check before the final quarter
Summer can throw the usual business routine out a little.
People are away, childcare gets juggled, days look different and a few of those jobs you meant to get done before the holidays somehow end up being pushed back.
Then September arrives and it suddenly feels like time to get everything back in order.
Then September arrives and suddenly the final few months of the year are in sight. That makes it a really good time to give your business finances a bit of a reset.
Not a huge review. Not a complicated business plan. Just a proper look at where things stand now, what’s coming up and whether there’s anything that needs your attention.
Here are seven good places to start.
1. Make sure your bookkeeping is up to date
If things have slipped a little over the summer, you’re definitely not alone.
Invoices, receipts and expenses can quickly pile up when normal routines go out the window, so September is a good time to get everything back in order.
Having up-to-date records gives you a much clearer picture of how the business is actually doing – because the balance in your bank account doesn’t always tell the whole story.
It also means less searching for missing receipts and paperwork later.
If bookkeeping is one of those jobs that always seems to fall to the bottom of the list, have a read of our guide: Do I need a Bookkeeper or an Accountant?
2. Look at what is coming in
Turnover can look great on paper, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the money has arrived.
Have a quick look at what you’re still waiting to be paid for.
Are there any invoices that have been sitting there a little longer than they should?
If late payments are becoming an issue, the Office of the Small Business Commissioner has guidance on dealing with unpaid invoices.
Could changing your payment terms or invoicing sooner improve your cash flow?
Sometimes simply tightening up the way you invoice and follow up payments can make a noticeable difference.
3. Look at what is going out
Costs have changed considerably for many businesses over the past few years.
But when did you last properly review yours?
Have supplier prices increased?
Have a look at your regular outgoings too.
Are there subscriptions you’ve forgotten about or software you’re paying for but barely use? And have things like insurance, energy, staffing or finance costs slowly crept up without you really noticing?
Individually, small increases may not seem like much. Added together, they can have a significant impact on your profit.
September is a good opportunity to go through your regular outgoings and ask whether everything is still necessary and providing value.
4. Check whether your prices still work
This is one business owners often put off.
If your costs have increased but your prices haven’t changed, your margins may be getting smaller without you really noticing.
That doesn’t automatically mean prices need to go up.
But it does mean you should know what it actually costs you to provide your product or service and whether your current pricing still leaves enough profit behind.
Your accountant can help you understand the numbers behind your pricing rather than relying on guesswork.
5. Check your cash flow for the next few months
It’s easy to look at what’s in the bank today and assume everything is fine, but it’s worth looking a little further ahead too.
Are there any bigger bills, tax payments or quieter months coming up that you’ll need to plan for?
Think about what is coming up.
Tax.
VAT.
Payroll.
Supplier bills.
Insurance renewals.
Equipment purchases.
Seasonal changes in sales.
If you can see a particularly expensive month coming, you have time to prepare for it.
A simple cash flow forecast can help you spot potential pressure points before they become a problem.
6. Start thinking about Self Assessment now
January might still feel a long way off, but if you need to complete a Self Assessment tax return for the year ending 5 April 2026, there’s no reason to leave it until the last minute.
The online filing and payment deadline is 31 January 2027, but getting started earlier gives you much more time to get everything together and plan ahead.
Getting everything together earlier means you can find out what you owe sooner and have more time to budget for the payment.
Getting your return done early doesn’t mean you have to pay your tax bill early.
It just means you’ll know what you owe sooner, giving you more time to plan for it without the January rush.
If your records are ready, September is a good time to get your tax return underway and take one more job off the list.
You can also read our guide to Self Assessment tax return deadlines and penalties.
7. Think about what you want the next few months to look like
Once the admin is under control, take a moment to look ahead.
What would you like the business to achieve before the end of the year?
Maybe you want to increase profit.
Take on an employee.
Buy new equipment.
Improve cash flow.
Maybe you want to spend less time on admin and more time actually running the business.
Or perhaps you’d simply like to finish the year feeling a little more organised and in control.
Whatever the goal, knowing your current numbers gives you a much better starting point.
Your accounts should help you look forward too
Accounts are often thought of as something that tells you what happened last year.
But your financial information can be much more useful than that.
Having accurate, up-to-date figures can help you make decisions about pricing, spending, recruitment, investment and growth while there is still time to act.
If you run a limited company, our guide to the financial reports business owners need to understand is a useful next read.
And you don’t need to work all of that out on your own.
If you’d like to review where your business stands as we head into the final quarter of 2026, get in touch with the BAS Associates team.
We’re always happy to talk through the numbers and help you work out what comes next.
