Catch Up or Clean Up Which Bookkeeping Service Do You Need

Not all bookkeeping problems are the same and the solution depends on your situation. Here’s how to tell which service fits your business best:

Catch Up Bookkeeping

This service is for business owners who are behind. Maybe you haven’t entered transactions in months, your bank accounts haven’t been reconciled, or reports haven’t been prepared. Catch up bookkeeping is about bringing your books up to date so you have a complete financial picture.

Examples:

• Transactions from the past 6 months still need to be recorded
• Bank or credit card accounts haven’t been reconciled
• Payroll hasn’t been properly tracked
• No financial reports have been generated for management or tax purposes

Clean Up Bookkeeping

This service is for business owners whose books are current but disorganized or inaccurate. If you notice duplicate accounts, expenses in the wrong categories, or reports that don’t make sense, you need a clean up. It’s about correcting mistakes, reorganizing your chart of accounts, and making sure your numbers are accurate.

Examples:

• Duplicate categories like “Meals,” “Dining,” and “Food Expenses” all being used inconsistently
• Income lumped into one “Sales” account instead of separated by service and product
• Unreconciled clearing accounts or balances that don’t match bank statements
• A chart of accounts with too many outdated or unused categories

Most of the time, business owners need both. When you’re behind and disorganized, you’ll need to catch up first, then clean up. That way, your books are both current and accurate moving forward.

If you’re not sure where you stand, we can help. Schedule a call today and we’ll review your books together to see exactly what you need.

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