What is catch-up bookkeeping?
Catch-up bookkeeping — sometimes called clean-up bookkeeping — is the work of reconstructing and reconciling months or years of neglected books so the business can close a fiscal year, file overdue GST returns, or hand a proper package to a CPA. Most owners who call us are between three and twelve months behind; many are closer to twenty-four. Coal Harbour scopes catch-up as a fixed project before the monthly rhythm starts.
We begin with a diagnostic: what state the books are in, how many months are outstanding, and what records exist. From there, we propose a catch-up plan with a fixed scope and a timeline. Books are brought current month by month, with checkpoints so you see the progress. Once catch-up is complete, we move you to monthly bookkeeping without a break.
What does Coal Harbour include in catch-up and clean-up?
- Assess the current state of your ledger, bank feeds, and supporting records
- Reconstruct missing months from bank statements and source documents
- Reconcile accounts, categorise transactions, and post adjusting entries
- Provide a monthly progress report so you know where we are
- Transition you into the monthly bookkeeping cadence once caught up
What software do you use for catch-up bookkeeping?
Whatever you have. QuickBooks Online or Xero if you are set up; spreadsheet reconstruction if not. We pull bank statements directly where we can, and we accept paper records scanned to PDF for the months before digital feeds exist.
What is not included in catch-up bookkeeping?
This is bookkeeping catch-up, not a forensic investigation. If you suspect fraud or a material misstatement, we will refer you to a CPA with forensic experience before we proceed.
What does catch-up bookkeeping cost?
Catch-up is priced per month of work. Straightforward months typically run $350 to $750 CAD each. More complex months with missing records or high transaction volume run higher. We quote the full project after the diagnostic and do not go over scope without your approval. If catch-up is needed because fiscal year-end is approaching, we coordinate directly with the year-end package so there is one handover to your CPA, not two.
Further reading
For the calm, step-by-step method we use on every catch-up engagement — from diagnostic through to monthly rhythm — read how to catch up on months of missed bookkeeping without panic.
A good fit if
- You are one to 24 months behind on your books
- You have records — statements, invoices, or receipts — available in some form
- You want to get current and then stay current with monthly bookkeeping
Probably not the right fit if
- You need only a single-month clean-up that you could do yourself
- Your records have been destroyed and no digital bank statements remain
- You are not ready to commit to monthly bookkeeping after the catch-up is done