Every business owner knows the feeling: you blink, and suddenly it’s January. The books might not be as tidy as you’d hoped, last year’s goals still linger on your to-do list, and tax season is looming just around the corner. It’s a moment of both reflection and urgency—a time to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and what changes will set you up for success in the year ahead.
At Stride, we see January as a month full of opportunity. Where others see overwhelm, we see potential. Starting the year strong doesn’t require perfection on day one—it’s about taking small, intentional steps now to create clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth for the months ahead.
Whether it’s wrapping up your books, setting clear goals, or tackling those lingering financial blind spots, the planning you do today will save you time, stress, and money in the future. With a proactive approach, you’ll move through 2025 not just with momentum but with a clear path toward achieving your business goals.
Here’s how we recommend you start.
1. Close the Books … the Right Way
Messy books don’t just make tax season stressful; they limit your ability to make informed decisions.
For MSPs, digital agencies, and service providers, messy financials don’t just lead to headaches—they lead to missed opportunities. Deferred revenue, incorrect expense categorization, and incomplete reconciliations can skew your cash flow and leave money on the table.
What you can do now:
- Reconcile accounts from 2024. Start by ensuring your December transactions are accurate and complete.
- Address overdue invoices and tighten up your accounts receivable process. Outstanding payments from 2024 shouldn’t carry into 2025.
- Review your expense categorization to identify potential deductions. The details matter when it comes to maximizing your tax savings.
Clean books don’t just make tax season easier—they position your business for smarter, data-driven decisions this year. And if you’re overwhelmed? That’s where Stride’s accounting services come in.
2. Shift From Goals to Outcomes
Setting vague goals like “increase revenue” or “reduce expenses” often leads to frustration. Instead, focus on defining clear, actionable outcomes tied to specific metrics.
For example, instead of “grow revenue,” set a goal like “increase MRR by 15% by onboarding five new clients each quarter.” Instead of “improve cash flow,” aim for “reduce aged receivables by 30% by the end of Q2.”
What you can do now:
- Reflect on what worked—and what didn’t—in 2024. Use these insights to identify patterns and opportunities for improvement.
- Define specific outcomes for 2025 and align them with measurable metrics.
- Map out quarterly or monthly milestones to keep your progress on track.
- Leverage financial data from your clean books to forecast realistically and set yourself up for success.
When goals are rooted in data and paired with actionable steps, they become more than intentions—they become achievements.
3. Get Ahead of Tax Season With Proactive Planning
Tax planning isn’t something you do in April. It’s something you start now. It’s also not just about compliance. For MSPs and agencies, taxes are full of opportunity—if you plan for them. R&D tax credits, Section 179 deductions, and entity optimization are just a few examples.
But waiting until April to address your taxes means missing out on valuable strategies like these that could save you money.
What you can do now:
- Review your 2024 tax situation. Assess last year’s numbers to identify areas where planning could have saved you money and apply those lessons moving forward.
- Plan your 2025 estimated payments. Use updated projections rather than relying on outdated numbers, ensuring you stay ahead.
- Consult a tax strategist. Advanced strategies, like maximizing deductions or restructuring your entity, can open the door to growth and savings.
At Stride, we specialize in turning tax planning into a tool for growth, not just compliance.
4. Optimize Your Financial Systems
Your financial tools and processes should be doing more than keeping you afloat—they should be propelling you forward.
For too many businesses, outdated tools or disconnected systems create unnecessary bottlenecks. That’s why we focus on designing systems tailored to industries like MSPs and agencies, where deferred revenue and recurring billing cycles demand extra care. For example, tools like QuickBooks Online and ConnectWise can streamline operations, but only if they’re properly integrated.
What can you do now:
- Audit your current tools. Are QuickBooks Desktop or manual processes still slowing you down? It might be time to upgrade to QuickBooks Online.
- Look for automation opportunities in invoicing, payment collection, and reporting.
- Connect your PSA tools to your accounting systems to create seamless workflows.
The right systems don’t just save time—they save money and reduce stress. And when they’re working properly, you’ll finally have time to focus on what matters: growing your business.
5. Take Time to Step Back and Assess
Here’s the truth: even the best financial systems and plans benefit from a second set of eyes. As a new year unfolds, it’s the perfect time to step back, evaluate what’s working, and identify areas for improvement.
What you can do now:
- Identify blind spots. Is your deferred revenue accurate? Are your recurring billing cycles optimized?
- Prioritize quick wins. Small, impactful changes in January can create significant momentum for the months ahead.
- Schedule time with a financial advisor to review the big picture.
At Stride, our advisory services are designed to give you clarity and direction, whether it’s tackling today’s challenges or planning for the future.
Let’s Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet
We know that running a service-based business isn’t easy. You’re managing client demands, navigating industry changes, and juggling more hats than most people realize. But with the right financial foundation, you can approach the new year with more than optimism—you can approach it with confidence.
Start this year on the right foot.
Whether you need help cleaning up your books, optimizing your systems, or creating a strategic tax plan, Stride is here to support you every step of the way.
Contact us at hello@stride.services or visit www.stride.services to schedule a consultation today.
