A Simple 2025 Finance Wrap-Up

There is a lot of “New Year, New Biz” messaging going on at the moment.

Some of that “THIS is the year I get on top of things” energy.

And yet, when it comes to your business finances, January can feel a bit awkward - especially if you’re a sole trader.

Because technically… your year isn’t actually over yet.

Your tax year doesn’t end until 31 March*.

(*FYI I always recommend 31 March rather than 5 April for year ends, much easier with organising)

So no, you’re not behind. No, you haven’t “missed your chance”. And no, you don’t need to suddenly do everything this week.

But - and this is the important bit - January is still a brilliant time to wrap up 2025 in a calm, sensible way, so future-you isn’t drowning in March.

So let’s talk about how to do that without an urgent spreadsheet spiral.

First: let’s normalise something

If your first reaction to “financial review” is:

• a slight tightening in the chest

• the urge to clean literally anything else

• or the thought “I’ll deal with this later”

…you are extremely normal.

Most capable, intelligent business owners don’t avoid their numbers because they’re bad at business.

They avoid them because no one ever showed them how to look at them without feeling judged.

So this is not about “doing it perfectly”. It’s about closing the mental tab on 2025 - gently.

What does “wrapping up 2025” actually mean?

This is not a full tax-year close. And it’s definitely not a 12-hour reconciliation marathon.

Think of it more like a financial tidy-up. Making the most of the get organised, fresh start energy.

You’re aiming to:

• understand what kind of year 2025 actually was

• spot patterns (good and… less good)

• reduce the workload your March-self is facing

That’s it.

No gold stars. No judgement. Just clarity.

A DaM simple 3 step January financial wrap-up (sole trader friendly)

Here’s what I recommend doing now, while you still have space:

1. Acknowledge the wins (yes, really)

Before you look at anything “numbery” - pause.

Ask yourself:

• What did I keep going with this year?

• What worked better than last year?

• What did I learn the hard way?

Revenue isn’t the only win. Consistency, boundaries, energy, confidence - they all count too.

(And if your year was tough? That’s still information, not failure.)

2. Get your records mostly up to date

Your records don’t need to be immaculate. Not colour-coded. Just good enough.

That might mean:

• checking all bank transactions are entered

• uploading missing receipts (or putting them all into one place)

• making sure all 2025 sales have actually been paid

You’re aiming for: “If I had to explain this to someone, I mostly could.”

That’s plenty for January.

3. Start thinking quarterly (this matters more than you think)

Instead of: “I need to fix everything in 2026”

Try: “What does the next 90 days need to look like?”

Quarterly thinking:

• reduces overwhelm

• supports cash flow planning

• fits beautifully with how real humans work

And - important future-you note - this is exactly the rhythm that Making Tax Digital is nudging us towards.

You don’t need to love that yet.But building the habit now makes everything easier later.

A quick word on Making Tax Digital (without the doom)

If you’re a sole trader with sales over £50,000 in the year to April 2025, MTD for Income Tax is coming.

That means:

• more regular updates

• more reliance on decent records

• fewer last-minute panics (eventually…)

January 2026 is a perfect time to start thinking:

• “What would make my records feel calmer?”

• “What support would I want in place by April?”

• “What do I want this to feel like, not just comply with?”

This isn’t about pressure. It’s about future-proofing your sanity.

Reflection prompts (optional, but powerful)

If you’re up for it, grab a notebook and answer just one or two:

• What do I want less of in my business this year?

• Which work drained me more than it paid me?

• What would “steady and sustainable” actually look like?

• If I checked my numbers monthly, what might change?

No action required yet. Just awareness.

One small action to take this week

Choose one:

• upload the backlog of receipts

• reconcile one bank account

• book time in February for a proper review

• ask for help (yes, that counts)

Momentum comes from movement, not pressure.

If you’d like a bit more structure (and support)

If reading this has you thinking“Yes… but I’d really like some guidance with this” — you’re not alone.

Inside the DaM Good Business Club, I share calm, practical, free resources to help you:

• review your numbers without overwhelm

• build a steady quarterly rhythm

• get clearer on what your business actually needs (financially and energetically)

Nothing shouty. Nothing bro-y. Just support you can dip into when you need it.

And if goal-setting feels like part of the puzzle right now, my Financial Goals Workshop is available on demand.

It’s not about forcing big revenue targets or pretending life is linear. It includes:

• gentle prompts to review your year (or quarter… or any period you like)

• practical ways to turn reflection into a realistic plan

• space to think about profit, capacity, energy, and what you actually want next

You can watch it in your own time, pause when your brain needs a breather, and use the prompts whenever you’re ready.

No pressure. Just options - because clarity works better when you feel supported.

Final reassurance

You are not behind. You are not failing. And you don’t need to have it all figured out in January.

But taking a gentle look now means March doesn’t have to feel heavy.

And if you want support - education, structure, or someone calm in your corner - that’s literally what I’m here for.

Ask the question.

Start small.

You’ve got this.