How to Catch Up on Months (or Years!) of Bookkeeping Without Losing Your Mind

We’ve all been there, life gets busy, and suddenly you're months behind on your bookkeeping. Maybe it's a few weeks… maybe it’s a year or more. No shame here, it happens to a lot of small business owners. The good news? It’s totally possible to get caught up without the stress spiral. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.

🧹 Step 1: Don’t Panic - Start with a Game Plan

Before diving into receipts and spreadsheets, take a deep breath and map out your catch-up strategy.

Ask yourself:

• How far behind am I?

• Do I have access to all my bank and credit card statements?

• Am I using accounting software or starting from scratch?

🗂 Step 2: Gather Your Financial Documents

You’ll need:

• Bank and credit card statements

• Receipts or digital copies

• Invoices (sent and received)

• Mileage logs or expense tracking apps Tip: Organize by month to make the process easier.

🧾 Step 3: Start With One Month at a Time

Don’t try to do it all in one sitting. Start with the oldest month and:

• Record your income

• Categorize your expenses

• Reconcile the numbers to match your bank statements

  Repeat for each month until you’re up to date.

⚙️ Step 4: Use a Template or Tracker

A simple bookkeeping template can make this process WAY easier (and we’ve got a free one coming your way Friday on our Facebook page!).

It keeps you focused and helps prevent skipping steps or missing details.

🧠 Step 5: Ask for Help If You Need It

Catching up doesn’t have to be a solo mission. A bookkeeper (like me!) can jump in, clean things up, and keep you moving forward with confidence.

Being behind on your books doesn’t make you a bad business owner, it just means life got busy. What matters most is taking the first step to catch up. Start small, stay consistent, and ask for support if you need it. You’ve got this!