I have a confession.
As the year winds down, I always notice a familiar tension creeping in. My head starts spinning with questions: Are revenues slipping? Are expenses creeping up? Did I set enough aside for taxes?
And then, almost without realizing it, the same worries show up in my personal life. I start thinking about our family savings goals, the cost of the holidays, or whether an unexpected expense will undo months of progress.
If you’re running an MSP, you’ve probably felt this too. You might be closing tickets, onboarding new clients, or handling emergencies, but in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, “Am I going to hit my numbers? Is my business really as stable as it should be?”
Create Systems to Stay Disciplined
What I’ve learned the hard way (and I mean, really hard way) is that you can’t separate business finances from personal finances. Stress in one area often spills over into other areas. When your cash flow feels shaky, that pressure follows you home. And when money feels unstable at home, it’s hard to show up for your business with confidence and clarity.
That realization is what pushed me to create systems; first in business with Profit First, and later, in my personal life with The Money Habit. Both taught me the same lesson: Security comes from clarity, and clarity comes from structure.
You don’t get there by obsessing over spreadsheets or trying to “willpower” your way through. You get there by creating automatic behaviors that keep you on track in your company and in your life.
So, as Q4 winds down, here’s a financial checklist for MSPs to help you end the year strong, grounded, and ready to roll into next year with peace of mind.
1. Reassess your allocations
When’s the last time you revisited your percentages?
In your MSP, that means reviewing your business’s allocations. How much are you setting aside for profit, owner’s pay, taxes, and operating expenses? At home, that means checking your savings, spending, and bills.
Are they still aligned with where you are right now? Or are you running on last year’s assumptions?
Even small tweaks can free up cash flow, protect your profit, and prevent unnecessary stress. The goal is to ensure your money reflects your current reality—not a version of your business or life that’s already outdated.
2. Do a mini cash flow audit (and get those credit cards under control)
This one is huge.
Pull your last 90 days of transactions for both business and personal accounts. Look at where your money actually went, not where you think it went.
For MSPs, that might mean recurring software subscriptions you forgot about, excess labor costs, or client discounts that aren’t serving you anymore. On the personal side, maybe it’s small Amazon purchases or meal deliveries that quietly add up.
When you see it all laid out, you’ll find leaks you didn’t even know existed. Tighten those up, and you’ll instantly create breathing room.
And please make sure your credit cards are under control. Interest payments are a silent killer of cash flow and energy. You deserve to head into the new year without that weight on your back.
3. Move money weekly
Don’t wait until the month’s end.
Both Profit First and The Money Habit work best when you move money weekly. Each week, transfer funds into your Profit, Tax, Owner’s Pay, and Operating Expense accounts. Then mirror that rhythm at home—into savings, bills, and spending accounts.
Weekly transfers keep you engaged, help you spot trends early, and turn financial management into a habit, not a headache.
4. Add a tax buffer
This is one of the simplest yet most powerful moves you can make.
In your business and at home, add an extra 1–2% buffer to your tax allocations. Even if you think you’ve planned perfectly, that little cushion will save you from a last-minute scramble when tax season hits.
That peace of mind is worth every penny.
5. Forecast Q1 profit
Don’t panic, this doesn’t require fancy software.
Just take your current revenue trends and apply your allocation percentages. This gives you a clear picture of what profit, savings, and owners’ pay will look like in Q1.
When you can see your future numbers, it builds confidence. You’re no longer guessing or reacting; you’re leading with intention.
For MSPs, this kind of clarity also helps you plan for equipment upgrades, hiring, or expanding service offerings without overextending yourself.
6. Reset your pay
This one hits close to home for a lot of MSP owners.
Too often, you underpay yourself “for now,” planning to make it up later. But later rarely comes. You end up working harder, earning less, and burning out faster.
Review your owner’s pay and make sure it reflects the value you bring, not just what’s left after everyone else gets paid. Paying yourself fairly isn’t selfish. It’s the foundation for a sustainable business and a stable household.
7. Automate transfers
This is the glue that holds it all together.
Set up automated transfers for both your business and personal accounts. The less you have to think about it, the more consistent you’ll be. Automation turns good intentions into reliable systems.
Once it’s set, you’re no longer making money decisions based on mood or fear—the system makes them for you.
The Real Payoff: Peace of Mind
Financial freedom isn’t about hitting a certain number in your bank account. It’s about knowing your money is working for you in your business, in your home, and in your future.
When you have structure, you can finally stop worrying about every little fluctuation. You’ll know that your money has a purpose, and your system is quietly protecting you in the background.
As you wrap up this quarter and the year, take a few hours to implement this financial checklist for MSPs. You’ll enter the new year calmer, stronger, and more in control, both in your business and your personal life.
Here’s to finishing this year on solid ground and starting the next one with clarity, confidence, and a little extra profit in your pocket.
If you missed Mike’s last column, see MSPs Are Not Robots—Stop Working Like One and Delegate to AI
