Establish the last reliable month
We begin with the last reconciled balances, the periods already filed and the accounts used during the gap. Closed cards, replaced bank accounts and discontinued sales platforms matter just as much as the systems still operating.
The backlog is grouped by source and period. A restaurant may need point-of-sale totals and delivery settlements; an agency may need contracts, invoices and reimbursable expenses. We flag missing records early so a deadline does not become a promise based on incomplete information.
Prioritize without concealing uncertainty
The catch-up plan identifies the most urgent reporting periods, the sequence of reconciliations and the questions requiring your accountant. Transactions affecting previously filed returns are listed for review rather than silently assigned to the current month. The result includes the completed period and any outstanding limitations.
Illustrative example: an online shop changes processors
A Toronto retailer has eight months of bank entries but switched checkout providers halfway through. Rebuilding only the active provider would omit refunds and reserves from the old account. Both settlement histories are needed before sales, fees and closing balances can be reconciled.
Questions about this work
How much will my backlog cost?
The number of months is only part of the scope. Account count, transaction volume, missing records and the reliability of opening balances also matter. Use the catch-up estimator under Tools for an initial discussion.
Will you file overdue returns automatically?
Filing responsibility and authorization must be agreed. Catch-up work prepares the records and identifies questions that the filer must resolve.
Put this into practice
A practical next step
Bring the records you have.
We can identify missing information, agree on the scope and organize the next bookkeeping step.
Request a bookkeeping review