Falling behind on your bookkeeping can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re a small business owner wearing a dozen hats. Whether you’re running a one-person shop in Delta, Colorado or juggling multiple clients and staff, late or missing bookkeeping can make it hard to understand your cash flow, prepare for taxes, or make smart decisions.
But here’s the good news: catching up is possible. And with the right steps (or the right help), you can get your books back in shape and regain control of your finances.
1. Stop the Bleeding: Start Tracking New Transactions Today
Even if you’re months behind, start fresh right now with current transactions. You can’t go back in time just yet, but you can prevent your books from falling further behind.
Tip:
Start recording everything from this month going forward in your accounting software or spreadsheet. Even if it’s just income and expenses, it’s a critical first step to get back on track.
2. Gather What You Already Have
You likely have a lot of the needed records—you just might not know it yet.
Start collecting:
- Bank and credit card statements
- Receipts (paper or digital)
- Invoices sent and received
- Payroll records
- Any past reports, if available
If you use tools like QuickBooks, Wave, or bank-connected spreadsheets, check for auto-imported data that might already be there waiting for you.
3. Reconcile Bank Statements One Month at a Time
Don’t try to do everything at once. Start with the most recent full month, reconcile your accounts, then work backward month-by-month.
Why reconciliation matters:
It’s how you make sure your books match reality. If you’re guessing based on your checking account balance alone, you could be missing transactions or duplicating entries.
4. Catch Up Before Tax Time (Even If It’s Not Tax Season)
Even outside of tax season, having up-to-date books can help you:
- File quarterly estimated taxes
- Apply for business loans
- Understand if you’re making or losing money
- Avoid IRS penalties for underreporting
If you’re behind on more than one year, don’t panic. Just start with the most recent tax year, and work your way backward.
5. Know When to Get Help
Catching up on months (or years) of back bookkeeping takes time and focus—and let’s be honest, most business owners would rather be doing what they do best. That’s where professional help comes in.
At Western Slope Bookkeeping, we specialize in catch-up and cleanup bookkeeping for small businesses, churches, and nonprofits across Delta, Montrose, and Grand Junction. Whether you’re a few months behind or haven’t opened QuickBooks in years, we can help you get organized, tax-ready, and moving forward with confidence.
Bonus: How to Avoid Falling Behind Again
Once your books are up to date, put a system in place:
- Schedule a weekly or monthly bookkeeping session
- Use cloud-based software that connects to your bank
- Hire a part-time bookkeeper (or outsource to someone local)
- Set calendar reminders for key tasks like invoicing or reconciliation
Staying current saves you stress, time, and money in the long run.
Conclusion: Don’t Let the Backlog Win
Falling behind on your books doesn’t make you a bad business owner—it just means you’re busy. But the longer you wait, the harder it becomes to fix. With a clear plan and the right help, you can get back on track and stay there.
Need help catching up on your books?
We offer Catch-Up and Cleanup Bookkeeping tailored for Western Colorado businesses. Click here to learn more or contact us today for a free consultation.
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