Vantage
Reviewed by the Vantage Accounting Pros tax team · Nov 2026
Quick answer
Start with your bank and credit card statements, since they're the most complete record you have. Reconcile one month at a time, oldest first, and categorize as you go. Once you're current, a short monthly routine keeps you there.
Gather what you have
Download statements for every business bank account, credit card and payment app (like Square, Stripe or PayPal) for the months that are behind.
Pull together payroll reports, loan statements and any invoices or bills you can find. Missing receipts are normal; statements fill most gaps.
Work oldest to newest
Reconcile each account month by month so the balances match the statements. Categorize transactions as income, expense type, owner draws or transfers.
Flag anything unclear rather than guessing; it's quicker to ask once than to fix it later.
Stay current
Set aside 30 minutes a month, or have us do it. Monthly books mean fewer surprises, better tax planning and a much easier April.
This guide is general information, not advice for your situation. Talk to us about your numbers.