Month-end close usually includes several tasks that must be completed by different users or teams. If these tasks are tracked only through spreadsheets, emails, or manual reminders, it can be difficult to see what is complete, what is late, and who owns each task.
A custom record can help centralize month-end task tracking in NetSuite.
Scenario
A finance team needs to track month-end close activities.
Examples may include:
- bank reconciliation
- journal entry review
- revenue review
- expense accruals
- intercompany review
- fixed asset review
- final close approval
The team needs a way to track each task, owner, due date, status, and completion date.
Solution
Create a custom record for month-end close tasks.
Each task can be created as its own record, allowing users to update status, add notes, and track completion.
This can help the finance team manage close activities more consistently inside NetSuite.
Example: Create a Month-End Task Tracker
A finance team wants to track month-end close tasks in NetSuite instead of using a spreadsheet.
1. Create the Custom Record
NetSuite: Go to Customization > Lists, Records, & Fields > Record Types > New
NetSuite Next:
Click Explore (hamburger icon in the bottom left corner beside the home button). In the menu, go to Customization > Lists, Records, & Fields > Record Types. Then, on the next page, click Create custom record definition.
Create a custom record named: Month-End Task Tracker
2. Add These Fields
Add these fields to the custom record:
- Task Owner
- Type: List/Record
- List/Record: Employee
- Task Status
- Type: List/Record
- List/Record: Custom List
- Example values: Not Started, In Progress, Complete
- Due Date
- Type: Date
- Completed Date
- Type: Date
- Task Notes
- Type: Long Text
3. Create a Sample Task
Example record:
- Name: Bank Reconciliation
- Task Owner: Jane Smith
- Task Status: In Progress
- Due Date: May 5, 2026
- Completed Date: blank
- Task Notes: Waiting for final bank statement
Result
The finance team can now open the Month-End Task Tracker custom record to see who owns each task, what is still open, and which tasks are already complete.
Example Custom Record Setup
Custom record name:
Month-End Task Tracker
Suggested setup:
- Record Name: Month-End Task Tracker
- Owner Field: Task Owner
- Status Field: Task Status
- Date Fields: Due Date and Completed Date
- Notes Field: Task Notes
- Optional List Field: Close Period or Task Category
This gives the team a structured place to manage each close activity.
Recommended Fields
- Task Name – Identifies the month-end task.
- Task Owner – Shows who is responsible for completing the task.
- Task Status – Tracks progress, such as Not Started, In Progress, Pending Review, or Complete.
- Due Date – Shows when the task should be completed.
- Completed Date – Captures when the task was finished.
- Close Period – Identifies the month or accounting period related to the task.
- Task Category – Groups tasks by area, such as Cash, Revenue, Expenses, or Intercompany.
- Task Notes – Captures comments, blockers, or follow-up details.
References
- SA: SuiteBuilder – Customization (ID: 1045873)
- SA: Creating Custom Records (ID: 1024227)
Notes
- Use custom lists for status and category values.
- Keep the first version simple so the team can adopt it easily.
- Use saved searches to show overdue or incomplete tasks.
- Add a task owner field to improve accountability.
- Consider making Due Date mandatory if every task needs a deadline.
- Review role permissions so only the right users can edit close tasks.
- Test the setup in sandbox before production use.
Summary
A custom record can help finance teams track month-end tasks in a more structured way. By capturing task owner, status, due date, completed date, and notes, admins can give users better visibility into close progress.
This approach can reduce reliance on spreadsheets and make month-end follow-up easier to manage in NetSuite.
Disclaimer: The sample code described herein is provided on an "as is" basis, without warranty of any kind, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Oracle + NetSuite Inc. does not warrant or guarantee the individual success developers may have in implementing the sample code on their development platforms or in using their own Web server configurations.
Oracle + NetSuite Inc. does not warrant, guarantee or make any representations regarding the use, results of use, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of any data or information relating to the sample code. Oracle + NetSuite Inc. disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and in particular, disclaims all warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and warranties related to the code, or any service or software related thereto.
Oracle + NetSuite Inc. shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential damages or costs of any type arising out of any action taken by you or others related to the sample code.
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