End of Year + New Year Checklists for Staffing Firms

As another year wraps up, forward-thinking staffing leaders know that year-end isn’t just about closing books—it’s about setting up for a winning year ahead. Here are some things to think about before the end of 2025:

End-of-Year Checklist for Staffing Firms

Reconcile & Review Financials

  • Update all accounts, enter vendor invoices, and process bills
  • Record prepaid expenses (like insurance), new asset purchases, and depreciation.
  • Generate and compare year-end financial statements: P&L, balance sheet, income, and cash flow.

Optimize Your Tax Strategy

  • Apply last year’s tax adjustments and explore credits (like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit).
  • Consult your accountant about deductions, potential expense deferrals, and best uses of year-end profits.

Ensure Compliance

  • Fulfill your ACA (Affordable Care Act) employer responsibilities; prepare Form 1095-Cs/Bs for employees.
  • Check for updates to labor laws, especially related to overtime and classification.

Audit Payroll, Compensation & Benefits

  • Verify year-end bonuses, raises, fringe benefits, and benefit deductions.
  • Analyze workforce structure for overtime compliance and retirement plan options.

Evaluate and Acquire Office Equipment

  • List current equipment/furnishings; note upgrades to boost efficiency.
  • Place new purchases in service by year-end to maximize Section 179 and other tax breaks.

Assess and Refresh Your Goals

  • Review last year’s goals and strategic plan.
  • Gather financials, customer insights, and staff feedback.
  • Set updated goals for operations, sales, and client satisfaction.

New Year Checklist for Staffing Firms

BUSINESS PLANNING

  • Review Last Year’s Metrics: Analyze fill rates, time-to-hire, submissions-per-hire, customer NPS, and revenue.
  • Conduct a SWOT Analysis: Identify new strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats.
  • Update Your Business Plan: Set or revisit goals; make them SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound).

WEBSITE & JOB BOARD OPTIMIZATION

  • Ensure ADA Compliance: Is your site accessible to all candidates?
  • Audit the Candidate Experience: Test your own site/job board for speed, accuracy, and user experience on desktop + mobile.
  • Improve SEO: Ensure jobs and your company are easy to find in web searches.

SOCIAL MEDIA & BRAND PRESENCE

  • Audit Channels: Are you active on the right platforms? Is your posting schedule consistent?
  • Humanize Your Brand: Share team stories, employee spotlights, and office life—not just job ads.
  • Share Testimonials: Turn candidate and client praise into graphics or short videos.

INTERNAL PR & CULTURE BUILDING

  • Show Gratitude: Thank your staff for their dedication—publicly and personally.
  • Celebrate Successes: Mark milestones and big wins, not just year-end results.
  • Support Leadership Development: Plan training for up-and-coming leaders.

REPUTATION MANAGEMENT

  • Monitor Reviews: Set up alerts for new feedback on Google, Indeed, Yelp, etc.
  • Collect and Publish Testimonials: Ask happy customers for permission to share their stories online.
  • Apply for Awards: Submitting for “Best Places to Work” boosts both morale and employer bran

REVIEW MARKETING PLAN

  • Evaluate Target Audiences: Confirm your firm is reaching both ideal clients and job seekers.
  • Refresh Messaging: Update your value propositions to reflect current market trends and client needs.
  • Invest in New Channels: Explore new opportunities like programmatic job advertising, video marketing, or enhanced LinkedIn outreach.