What documents do I need to provide for bookkeeping catch-up?
Bank and credit card statements are the foundation. Your bookkeeper needs complete statements for every account used for business transactions during the catch-up period. These show money in and money out, which is the backbone of reconstructing your books. Download them from your online banking or request paper copies from your bank.
Credit card statements work the same way. Every business credit card needs full statements for the entire period being caught up. If you’ve been mixing personal and business expenses on a personal card, those statements help too, though you’ll need to identify which transactions were business-related.
Invoices and receipts add context. Bank statements show that you spent $347 at Home Depot, but not what you bought. For expense categorization and tax deductions, receipts help clarify whether that purchase was office supplies, equipment, or materials for a specific job. Gather whatever invoices you’ve received from vendors and receipts you’ve kept.
Loan and financing documents matter if you took on debt during the catch-up period. Bring the loan agreement showing the original amount, and any statements showing payments and balances. This helps record the liability correctly and track interest expenses.
Payroll records are needed if you have employees. W-2s, payroll reports, and tax filings from your payroll provider give the numbers needed to record wages and payroll taxes accurately. Prior year tax returns also provide a starting point because your last filed return shows the ending balances for assets, liabilities, and equity. Catch-up bookkeeping builds from there.
The reality is that most people needing this work don’t have perfect records. Receipts get lost. Invoices weren’t saved. That’s okay. A skilled bookkeeper can reconstruct most of what happened using bank and credit card statements alone. The other documents make the job faster and the categorization more accurate, but they’re not always essential.
What actually slows projects down is incomplete bank records. If you closed an account or switched banks without saving statements, getting those records takes time. Some banks charge fees or require branch visits for historical statements. Start gathering these early because they’re the one thing that can’t be worked around.
If your records are scattered across shoeboxes and email folders, don’t try to organize everything perfectly before reaching out. Part of the process is sorting through what you have. A small business bookkeeper in Los Angeles can identify what’s missing and work with what you’ve got to get your books back on track.
LA's Small Business Bookkeeper
The Next Step:
A Short Conversation
Tell us about your business and what you're dealing with. We'll listen, ask a few questions, and give you a clear price for the work.
More Questions
How do I present my business financials to potential buyers?
Clean, organized financials help buyers understand your business value and build confidence in the deal. Present three years of financial statements, tax returns, and supporting documents in a well-organized package that addresses buyer questions before they ask.
Read answerHow do I handle payroll for tipped employees?
Pay tipped employees full minimum wage in California since there's no tip credit allowed. Collect tip reports monthly, withhold taxes on reported tips, and track everything through your payroll system.
Read answerWhat overhead percentages should my restaurant be targeting?
Prime cost (food plus labor) should stay between 55% and 65% of revenue. Food typically runs 28% to 35%, California labor costs hit 30% to 38%, and occupancy should stay under 10%.
Read answerHow do I track mileage for my real estate business?
Use a mileage tracking app like MileIQ or Everlance that logs trips automatically in the background. Classify each trip daily and document the date, destination, and business purpose for every mile you want to deduct.
Read answerWhat are the unique bookkeeping challenges for dental practices?
Dental practices deal with complex insurance billing, contractual write-offs, and production-based payroll that most businesses don't face. The gap between billed amounts and collected amounts requires careful categorization to understand true profitability.
Read answerHow do I set up QuickBooks for my real estate business?
Start with a chart of accounts designed for property income and expenses, then set up tracking by property using classes or locations. Handle security deposits as liabilities, not income, and separate capital improvements from repairs.
Read answer