The final step in the accounting cycle is:

A) preparing the post-closing trial balance.
B) preparing the financial statements.
C) posting the closing entries.
D) posting the adjusting entries.

The final step in the accounting cycle is preparing the post-closing trial balance. This step occurs after all closing entries have been made and is used to verify that debits equal credits after closing entries are posted, ensuring the ledger is balanced for the start of the new accounting period.