For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.kick.co/llms.txt). This page is also available as [Markdown](https://docs.kick.co/best-practice-guides/monthly-review-guide.md).

Kick runs in the background automatically - but a quick monthly check-in keeps everything accurate, prevents small issues from compounding, and means there are no surprises at tax time. Done consistently, this takes about 15 minutes.

## Build the habit: do this once a month

### 1. Clear uncategorized transactions

Kick [categorizes](https://docs.kick.co/common-workflows/categorization) ~97% of transactions automatically. The ones it leaves uncategorized are where your attention is needed most.

1. Go to **Transactions** → **Add filter** → **Status: Uncategorized**  
2. Work through the list - assign a category to each one  
3. When Kick prompts you to apply the same change to similar transactions, say yes - this trains Kick and prevents the same transaction from coming back uncategorized next month

**Speed tip:** If you see the same merchant appearing uncategorized repeatedly, create a [Rule](https://docs.kick.co/common-workflows/rules). You'll never have to categorize it manually again.

### 2. Check for unmatched transfers

Unmatched [transfers](https://docs.kick.co/common-workflows/transfers) are one of the most common sources of inflated income or phantom expenses. A Stripe payout that isn't matched to the bank deposit looks like double revenue. A credit card payment that isn't matched looks like two expenses.

1. Go to **Transactions** → filter by **Category: Transfer**  
2. Look for any transactions without a matched counterpart (the Match column will be empty)  
3. Match them manually, or create a Transfer Rule so it happens automatically going forward

### 3. Move personal business expenses across

If you connected personal accounts, this is the moment to review them.

1. Go to **Transactions** → filter by **Entity: Personal**  
2. Move any business expenses to the right entity and assign the correct category

Don't leave this until the end of the year - catching expenses monthly means nothing gets missed, and your P&L reflects reality in real time.

### 4. Check your Profit & Loss

Open the [P&L](https://docs.kick.co/reports/profit-and-loss) for the month and do a quick sanity check:

- Does income look right for what you billed or sold this month?  
- Are there any expense categories running higher than expected?  
- Are there any line items you don't recognize?

You don't need to analyze everything - just look for anything that seems off and dig into it. Click any line to see the individual transactions behind the number.

### 5. Respond to open tasks

Check [Tasks](https://docs.kick.co/working-with-your-team/tasks) for anything your accountant has sent you. Unanswered questions slow down their close process - a quick response now saves back-and-forth later.

### 6. Ask what the numbers mean

Once your books are clean, step back from the checklist. This is where the monthly review pays off - not just accurate books, but a clearer picture of how your business is actually doing.

**Are you profitable this month?**  
Check net income on the P&L. If it's lower than expected, expand the expense categories to find what's running high.

**Where is your cash actually going?**  
Open [Insights](https://docs.kick.co/reports/insights) and look at Cash Out by category. [Expenses by Vendor](https://docs.kick.co/reports/expenses-by-vendor) shows which vendors you're paying the most - useful for spotting subscriptions or recurring costs worth renegotiating.

**Is cash in the bank tracking with your P&L?**  
A healthy P&L with a shrinking bank balance usually means money is tied up in receivables, loan payments, or owner distributions. The [Balance Sheet](https://docs.kick.co/reports/balance-sheet) and Insights help explain the gap.

**Are you growing compared to last month?**  
On the P&L, use the Compare dropdown to add a previous period column - a quick side-by-side shows whether income is up and whether expenses grew proportionally.

## Make it faster over time

The first month takes the longest. As you build [Rules](https://docs.kick.co/common-workflows/rules) for recurring transactions and Kick learns your patterns, uncategorized transactions drop. Most business owners find the monthly review gets meaningfully shorter after the first 2-3 months.

**The fastest path to a 15-minute review:**

- Create Rules for every recurring vendor that keeps coming up uncategorized  
- Set up a Transfer Rule for any payment processor payout that repeats on a schedule  
- Connect [personal accounts](https://docs.kick.co/common-workflows/personal-to-business) and review them weekly rather than letting them pile up

## Monthly review checklist

- Clear all uncategorized transactions  
- Confirm transfers are matched  
- Review personal transactions and move business expenses  
- Review Profit & Loss for the month  
- Respond to open tasks from your accountant  
- Review key numbers - profitability, cash position, month-over-month growth