How much does catch-up bookkeeping cost by months behind?
One published 2026 guide puts catch-up bookkeeping at about $300 to $500 for 1 to 3 months behind, and $3,500 to $8,000 or more for over a year. The more months, accounts and loose receipts you have, the higher the quote. Treat any range as a starting point.
| Months behind | Published range (Etisson) |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 months | $300 to $500 |
| 4 to 6 months | $500 to $1,500 |
| 7 to 12 months | $1,500 to $3,500 |
| More than 12 months | $3,500 to $8,000 or more |
Source: Etisson, catch-up bookkeeping pricing, checked October 29, 2026. Ranges from one publisher are not a quote. Other firms price differently.
How do other firms price it?
Prices vary by method as well as by size. Some firms quote a fixed fee for the whole job. Some bill by the hour. Some charge per month of history. Compare the method before you compare the number.
- Hourly: the same Etisson guide lists $40 to $90 an hour for production work. Hourly billing is open-ended, so ask for a cap or an estimate.
- Per month of history: SDO CPA states it charges $320 per month of history behind. At that rate, six months is $1,920. That sits above the Etisson range for six months, which shows how much firms differ.
- Fixed fee: you get one price for a defined scope. Make sure the scope names the accounts and months.
Get at least two written quotes. Each should name the months, the accounts, the software and what counts as extra.
What questions move a catch-up quote?
Six questions explain most of the gap between a low and a high quote. Answer them before you call anyone. Each one maps to hours of work, and hours drive price.
| Question | Why it moves the price |
|---|---|
| How many bank and card accounts? | Each account needs its own bank reconciliation |
| How many transactions a month? | More lines to categorize |
| Are receipts and invoices on hand? | Missing support means chasing records |
| Is payroll involved? | Payroll entries add steps and checks |
| Which software holds the books? | Moving data into QuickBooks Online takes time |
| What is the state of the old data? | Errors have to be found and fixed first |
A tidy set of records is cheaper to catch up than a messy one, even when the months behind are equal.
What should you gather before you ask for a quote?
Gather the records first and your quote becomes faster and sharper. A firm that sees real statements can scope the job instead of guessing. Use this list.
- Bank and credit card statements for every month behind.
- Last year’s tax return and your current chart of accounts, if you have one.
- Payroll reports and sales tax filings.
- Loan statements and any asset purchases.
- Invoices you sent and bills you owe, for accounts receivable and accounts payable.
- Your CPA’s name and any requests they have sent you.
Then ask the firm to confirm in writing what the final deliverable is. A good deliverable is a set of reconciled accounts and monthly reports, such as a profit and loss statement and a balance sheet, for each month in scope.
What does Peachtree VA offer for bookkeeping?
Peachtree VA offers bookkeeping that works alongside your CPA, mainly in QuickBooks Online. Bookkeeping packages start as little as $240 per month. Packages are based on your transaction volume and complexity. We start with a free 30-minute consultation.
Catch-up work is its own question. Bring your statements to the consultation and ask how the cleanup would be scoped and priced for your records. Ask the same of any firm you consider.
After catch-up, the real goal is a steady monthly close. We aim to close out the prior month’s books and provide financial statements by the fifth business day of the new month. Read why the fifth business day matters and our month-end close checklist. Falling behind again is the costliest mistake, as we explain in 5 costly bookkeeping blunders.
How do you avoid falling behind again?
A steady monthly routine prevents the next backlog. Most backlogs start small: a few unreconciled months, then a busy season, then a year. A routine with a fixed close date stops that drift.
Build the routine in four parts:
- A fixed monthly close date. Agree on the day statements arrive.
- A weekly habit. Upload receipts and answer questions weekly.
- Reconciliation each month. Do not let accounts pile up unreconciled.
- A monthly review. Read the profit and loss statement and the balance sheet, and ask what changed.
Related reading: why your books should close by the fifth business day and the accrual vs cash basis guide, which helps you decide how to keep the books going forward. If the cost of cleanup looks high, remember that ranges are broad. Get written quotes and compare the scope, not just the number.
Should you do cleanup yourself first?
Sometimes a small amount of prep lowers the price. Download statements, group receipts by month and list the questions you already know about. Do not start recoding transactions on your own, because changes can make the cleanup harder to follow. Ask the firm what prep it wants.
Next step
See how our bookkeeping services work, or book a free strategy call to talk about getting your books current.
Frequently asked questions
How much does catch-up bookkeeping cost?
One published 2026 guide lists about $300 to $500 for 1 to 3 months behind, $500 to $1,500 for 4 to 6 months, and $1,500 to $3,500 for 7 to 12 months. Beyond a year it lists $3,500 to $8,000 or more. Your quote depends on your records.
What makes catch-up bookkeeping cost more?
More bank and card accounts, more transactions, missing receipts, unreconciled accounts, payroll and sales tax add time. Messy or incomplete data adds the most. Gather statements and last year's tax return first, and ask for a written scope before work starts.
Is catch-up bookkeeping priced hourly or per month?
Both exist. One published guide lists hourly catch-up work at $40 to $90 an hour for production work. SDO CPA states it charges $320 per month of history behind. Ask whether a quote is fixed or hourly, and what happens if the scope grows.
Does Peachtree VA offer a free consultation for bookkeeping?
Yes. Peachtree VA offers a free 30-minute bookkeeping consultation. Bookkeeping works alongside your CPA, mainly in QuickBooks Online. Bring your questions about being behind, and ask how catch-up work would be scoped for your records.
