Catch‑Up Bookkeeping: From Messy Books to Tax‑Ready in 30 Days
If you’re months behind on bookkeeping, you’re not alone. The fix isn’t guesswork-there’s a repeatable process to collect data, reconcile accounts, and produce CPA‑ready reports in ~30 days. Here’s exactly how we do it (and how you can, too).
Step 1 – Inventory What’s Missing
- Bank/credit card statements by month
- Payroll reports (if any)
- Loan/merchant cash advance statements
- Invoices & receipts
Step 2 – Bring Accounts Current
- Import historical statements (CSV/PDF)
- Normalize payees and rules
- Post journal entries for edge cases (owner draws, accruals)
Step 3 – Month‑by‑Month Reconciliations
- Start oldest month first; lock each month
- Fix bank‑feeds mismatches and duplicates
- Resolve unreconciled differences with tie‑out schedule
Step 4 – Sales Tax, 1099s, and Year‑End Tie‑Out
- Review nexus and filings
- Build 1099 list from vendor payments (need W‑9s)
Step 5 – CPA Review & Close Checklist
- Trial balance variance scan
- Balance sheet substantiation (AR/AP aging, inventory, loans)
- Final P&L by month; lock books
Timeline & What Can Delay It
- Typical: 2-6 months of catch‑up in ~30 days
- Delays: missing statements, cash transactions with no receipts, disconnected bank feeds
Pricing & Scope
- Flat quote after data inventory; no hourly surprises
- Optional add‑ons: sales tax filings, payroll cleanup, 1099 prep
FAQs
How long does catch‑up bookkeeping take?
Most small businesses can clean up 2-6 months of books in about 30 days, assuming bank statements and basic documents are available.
What documents do I need to start?
Bank and credit card statements, payroll reports (if applicable), loan statements, invoices, receipts, and access to your accounting file.
Can you fix prior‑year books?
Yes. We can correct prior periods, coordinate with your CPA, and provide adjusted trial balances for re-filing if necessary.
Will you work with my CPA?
Absolutely. We provide CPA-reviewed outputs and share monthly closes, supporting schedules, and tie-outs.
