Backlog (catch-up) accounting means rebuilding the years whose books were never kept, or kept wrongly, from bank statements, invoices, VAT returns and notebooks. We start with the oldest year and produce each year's books, trial balance and final accounts in order, so audits and income tax returns can be completed in sequence.
Our team has worked for a company with three years of audits overdue at once. Bank statement analysis showed large deposits and payments every year that did not match the books, and VAT returns could not be produced for some years. Each year was reconciled separately and all three years' statements and audits were completed.
On this page
Why we start from the oldest year
Each year's closing balances are the next year's opening balances. So 2025 cannot be fixed before 2023. We start from the last reliable year (usually the last audited one) and move forward year by year.
Which documents rebuild the accounts
| Document | What it tells us |
|---|---|
| Bank statements | Every deposit and withdrawal; this is the foundation |
| VAT returns (Mushak 9.1) | Monthly sales and purchases |
| Sales and purchase invoices | Party and product-wise transactions |
| Payroll sheets | Salary cost and tax deducted at source |
| Income tax returns and challans | Income declared and tax paid earlier |
| Notebooks, cash books | Cash transactions |
Want us to do this for you?
Tell us your situation on WhatsApp and we will tell you exactly what is needed and how long it takes.
Risks to know up front
- If bank deposits are much higher than sales, they need an explanation: owner's money, loans or undeclared sales
- If the rebuilt figures differ from tax or VAT returns already filed, questions about revising them may arise
- If there is no proof that share capital was deposited through the bank, the audit may comment on it
- Auditing all years together costs more and takes longer, so plan it in stages
How it works
- AssessUp to which year the accounts are reliable, which years are missing and what documents exist.
- PlanA year-by-year timetable and priorities (for example, the year the bank needs first).
- Books year by yearBank analysis, entries, reconciliation and trial balance for each year.
- Statements and auditFinal accounts for each year and the partner firm's audit.
- Stay currentOnce the backlog is cleared, monthly bookkeeping so it does not build up again.
Frequently asked questions
How far back can you go?
As far as bank statements are available. Banks can provide old statements, so several years can usually be rebuilt.
The previous accountant's books look wrong. What should we do?
We first compare the books with the bank to see how wrong they are. Small errors are corrected; large ones mean rebuilding. Either way you get a report with reasons.
Must all years be audited at once?
No. They can be done in stages to fit your needs and budget, but the order of years must be kept.
Talk to us about your accounting work
The first conversation is free. You get a written price and timeline before any work starts.
Related pages
Final accounts preparation
Balance sheet, income statement, cash flows, notes and fixed asset schedule.
ServicesMonthly bookkeeping services
Monthly entries, bank reconciliation, receivables, payables and a monthly report.
ServicesAudited accounts with DVC for bank loans
Audited statements with DVC for a loan, renewal or higher limit, from books to audit.
ServicesAudit preparation and coordination
Trial balance clean-up, reconciliations, confirmations, schedules and every audit document.
Written by the EOMS Hisab accounts team. Last reviewed: . Bangladesh rules change with each Finance Act, SRO and circular. Check rates and thresholds against the latest official source before relying on them.