Cleared before we build anything new on top
Backlog Accounting Services
Reconstructing and reconciling months or years of unrecorded transactions before moving to a recurring monthly cycle — because building a reliable process on top of numbers nobody can actually stand behind just compounds the original problem.
No backlog too old to clear, given the right source documentation
Key facts
| Typical backlog length | Anywhere from a few months to several years |
| Pricing | Scoped separately from recurring bookkeeping, as a one-off project quoted against actual volume |
| Common trigger | An upcoming audit, a corporate tax filing deadline, or a bank financing application |
| Key dependency | Availability of source documentation — bank statements, invoices, receipts |
What this actually involves
A backlog isn't unusual, and it's rarely a sign of a poorly run business — it's more often a symptom of a founder wearing too many hats, a bookkeeper who left without proper handover, or simply years passing without anyone making bookkeeping the priority it eventually becomes when a tax deadline or audit requirement forces the issue.
The reconstruction work itself scales with both the time elapsed and the availability of source documentation — bank statements are usually retrievable directly from the bank, but supplier invoices, receipts and contracts sometimes need chasing down from multiple sources, which is the part that genuinely determines project timeline more than the accounting work itself.
We deliberately separate backlog clearance from any subsequent recurring bookkeeping engagement in scope and pricing — a fixed one-off project to bring records current and properly reconciled, distinct from the ongoing monthly cycle that follows. This keeps the pricing predictable and means we're not incentivised to drag out the catch-up work.
Is this actually relevant to you?
- Your bookkeeping is months or years behind and you're facing an audit, corporate tax filing, or financing application that needs current records
- You've inherited a business or taken over finance responsibilities and discovered the previous records aren't reliable
- Your previous bookkeeper left without proper handover and records have lapsed since
- You want a clean, reconciled starting point before committing to an ongoing bookkeeping engagement
Our process, step by step
Backlog assessment
An honest scope of how much work is genuinely involved, based on what documentation exists, before quoting anything.
Source document gathering
Coordinating retrieval of bank statements, invoices and receipts, including from third parties where needed.
Reconstruction & reconciliation
Bringing records current, reconciled to actual bank and transaction history, not estimated.
Handover to recurring cycle
A clean, defined transition once the backlog is cleared, so the same gap doesn't recur.
Scope of work
Once the backlog is cleared, monthly bookkeeping keeps it that way. Errors in past VAT periods are corrected through a voluntary disclosure, and the restated figures support any overdue corporate tax return.
The factor that matters more than how far behind you are
- Assuming a longer backlog automatically means a proportionally longer project — the real driver is documentation availability, not just elapsed time.
- Waiting until an audit or tax deadline is imminent before starting backlog work, leaving little buffer if source documents take longer to retrieve than expected.
- Moving straight into a recurring bookkeeping cycle without properly closing out the backlog first, effectively burying the same unreconciled gap under new transactions.
Related accounting and bookkeeping services
Monthly accounting, reporting and year-end statements from one team — ready for audit and tax filing.
Related guides from our team
Practical explanations of the rules behind this service, written by our chartered accountants.
Common questions
How far behind is too far behind to fix?+
There's no real limit — we've cleared multi-year backlogs before. The main driver is how much source documentation (invoices, bank statements) is still retrievable, not the raw time elapsed.
Will this delay our upcoming audit or tax filing?+
Backlog work is scoped against your actual deadline — if timing is tight, we'll tell you honestly what's achievable rather than promise an unrealistic date and deliver a rushed result.
What if we're missing some invoices or receipts?+
We'll work with what's available and flag genuine gaps clearly rather than fabricate figures — sometimes bank statement detail and supplier confirmation can fill a documentation gap.
Can backlog accounting be done alongside an ongoing audit process?+
Yes, though close coordination with your auditor's timeline is essential — backlog clearance often needs to complete, or reach a defined stage, before audit fieldwork can proceed.
Does backlog accounting cost more than regular monthly bookkeeping?+
It's priced as a separate one-off project reflecting the actual reconstruction work involved, distinct from and in addition to any subsequent recurring monthly fee.
Months or years behind on your bookkeeping?
Tell us how far behind and what's driving the urgency (audit, tax deadline, financing) — we'll scope a realistic timeline and fixed quote.