Problem guide
Behind on your books? Here is how to get current.
Falling behind is common in growing service businesses — the work comes first. The fix is usually a defined cleanup project followed by a lighter monthly routine, not heroic late nights.
Sound familiar?
- Bank accounts not reconciled in 3+ months
- A shoebox — digital or real — of receipts
- Tax extension filed because the books were not ready
- A lender or partner asked for statements you cannot produce
A practical path forward
1. Size the gap
Count months behind, number of bank and card accounts and roughly how many transactions per month. That drives price and timing.
2. Set the deadline
Tax filing, loan application or sale — the real deadline decides whether you need a fast cleanup or can phase it.
3. Choose cleanup scope
Agree on a fixed period and deliverables in writing. Ask what records the provider needs from you.
4. Decide what comes after
Monthly bookkeeping prevents a repeat. It can be the same firm, but it does not have to be.
Related services
FAQ
- Is it too late if I'm a year behind?
- No. Year-long cleanups are routine. Expect a longer timeline and a scoped quote.
Tell us what your books need.
A few short questions about your business and the help you want. See how FinRoster would help you compare independent bookkeeping firms.