Insights / How-to / 4 min read
How to catch up on your books in 30 days
A simple plan to clear a backlog before a deadline.
Week 1: gather everything
Download bank statements for every business account for the whole period. Collect sales invoices, bills and receipts. Photos are fine. Make a list of anything you know is missing.
Week 2: get it into one place
Set up or tidy your bookkeeping software (we use Xero) and connect bank feeds where possible. Import or enter transactions month by month, oldest first.
Week 3: reconcile
Match each bank transaction to an invoice or receipt, and categorise it. Note anything you can't explain, rather than guessing.
Week 4: check and hand over
Review the unexplained items, chase missing paperwork, and make sure each month's balance matches the bank statement. Then hand clean books to your accountant.
Short on time?
We do catch-up bookkeeping for a fixed price agreed up front. Tell us how far behind you are and when your deadline is.
This guide is general information, not advice for your circumstances. Last reviewed: October 2026.
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