If you’re months (or a year) behind, the scary part isn’t usually the work — it’s not knowing what catch-up bookkeeping cost will be. Hourly reconstruction quotes can sound like a second mortgage. Fixed, AI-assisted catch-up is a different model.
This guide breaks down what actually drives the price for Memphis and West Tennessee small businesses, what “under $2,000” usually means in practice, and how to get a planning range before you hop on a call.
Fastest path: Run the free catch-up estimator (about 60 seconds) → then we’ll lock a firm quote on a short call.
Quick answer
Catch-up bookkeeping is usually priced from:
- How many months haven’t been reconciled
- Transaction volume (how busy the accounts are)
- Number of bank/card accounts
- Condition of the file (clean QuickBooks vs. a mess)
At Mid South Bookkeeping, catch-up is AI-assisted cleanup — software does most of the categorization; a person reviews the odd cases and reconciles. That’s why a year behind often lands closer to one to two months of a monthly plan, not a multi-thousand-dollar hourly reconstruction. Most catch-ups land under $2,000. You get a planning range first; a firm number before any work starts.
Why hourly catch-up gets expensive
Traditional catch-up is often sold as hours × rate. Every mystery transaction, every missing statement, every duplicate becomes billable time. You don’t know the total until the meter stops.
If you’re comparing quotes, ask:
- Is this hourly or a fixed / ranged fee?
- What’s included (categorization, reconciliation, reports)?
- When do I get a firm number?
- What happens after I’m current — monthly plan or back to DIY?
What Mid South’s catch-up includes
- Assessment — date range, accounts, software, mess level
- Transaction catch-up — categorize what’s missing
- Reconciliation — match books to bank and card statements
- Cleanup — duplicates, miscodes, unbalanced accounts
- Reporting — current P&L and Balance Sheet
- Optional handoff to monthly bookkeeping so it doesn’t pile up again
Payroll setup and tax filing are not included in the catch-up estimate.
Full process: catch-up bookkeeping.
How to get your number in ~60 seconds
Our catch-up estimator asks three planning questions (how far behind, volume, file condition) and returns a planning range — not a binding quote. Then we confirm a firm price on a short call before work begins. No surprise invoices.
Used by Memphis and West Tennessee owners who are behind a quarter or a year and want a number they can plan around.
After catch-up: stay current from $249/month
Cleanup without a monthly rhythm just resets the problem. Published plans:
- Starter — $249/mo
- Standard — $399/mo
- Growth — $599/mo
See pricing or call (901) 673-8119.