Backlog assessment
We review how far behind you are, what records exist, and which periods still need VAT or Corporate Tax filings, then agree a clear plan and timeline.
Backlog clean-up · UAE
Accounting catch-up, clean books before the deadline
Months or years behind? We clear the backlog, reconcile every account, and prepare any overdue VAT or Corporate Tax returns — so you file on accurate numbers, not a last-minute estimate.
Signs your books need catching up
If any of these sound familiar, a catch-up now is far cheaper than a scramble later.
- Months (or years) of transactions never recorded
- Bank and card accounts that have never been reconciled
- A VAT or Corporate Tax deadline approaching with no clean numbers
- Books that no longer match your bank balance
- A previous bookkeeper who left mid-year
- Missing invoices, receipts, or supplier statements
What a catch-up covers
From assessment to filed returns — the whole backlog, resolved.
Bank reconciliation
Every bank, card, and wallet account is reconciled line by line so your recorded cash matches reality and nothing is double-counted or missing.
Transaction clean-up
We record and correctly categorise the backlog of sales, purchases, and expenses in IFRS double-entry books — not a spreadsheet approximation.
VAT & CT catch-up
With clean numbers in place, we prepare any overdue VAT 201 or Corporate Tax returns and help you file and settle through EmaraTax.
Reconciled opening balances
We agree a clean, verified opening position so future periods start from numbers you and your auditor can trust.
Stay-current handover
Once caught up, we can keep your books current monthly so you never fall behind again — on software, with review.
From behind to back on track
A structured path that prioritises whatever is most at risk of penalties.
01
Assess the backlog
We scope how many periods are behind, gather what records exist, and map every VAT and Corporate Tax deadline at risk.
02
Rebuild the books
We record and categorise every transaction and reconcile all accounts on AIMuhaseb, period by period.
03
File what is overdue
We prepare any outstanding VAT 201 or Corporate Tax returns from the clean data and support the EmaraTax submission.
04
Keep you current
We hand back verified opening balances — or roll straight into a monthly service so you stay ahead of every deadline.
Why get caught up with us
A rushed clean-up that does not reconcile just moves the problem into your next return. We rebuild from source and tie every account to the bank, so the numbers you file — and carry forward — are ones you can defend.
From here you can keep books current with our bookkeeping services or hand over the whole function with outsourced accounting. If a VAT return is overdue, see our VAT filing service.
- Backlogs cleared before the FTA deadline, not after
- Every account reconciled to the bank — no guesswork
- IFRS double-entry books, ready for VAT, CT, and audit
- Overdue VAT 201 and Corporate Tax returns prepared and filed
- A verified opening position you can build on
- Optional monthly service so it never happens again
Catch-up questions, answered
Getting behind books back on track before the deadline.
What are accounting catch-up services?
Catch-up (or clean-up) services bring books that have fallen behind back up to date. We record the backlog of transactions, reconcile every bank and card account, correct miscategorised entries, and produce clean, verified numbers for each period — so your accounts are accurate, VAT- and Corporate-Tax-ready, and defensible if reviewed. It is the fix for records that are months or years behind, or that no longer match your bank.
How far behind can you help with?
From a couple of missed months to several years. We start by scoping exactly how many periods are outstanding and what records exist, then work through them in order. If several VAT quarters or a Corporate Tax period are already overdue, we prioritise the filings most at risk of penalties first.
Can you get me ready before a VAT or Corporate Tax deadline?
Yes — that is one of the most common reasons UAE businesses come to us. We reconcile and rebuild the books first, then prepare the return from clean data. Filing on accurate figures matters: under the current regime, late VAT filing carries a penalty of AED 1,000 (AED 2,000 for a repeat within 24 months), and late Corporate Tax filing is AED 500 per month for the first 12 months, then AED 1,000 per month. Getting current early keeps you out of that territory.
What if my previous bookkeeper left things in a mess?
Very common. We do not assume prior work is correct — we re-reconcile each account to the bank and rebuild from source documents where needed, so you end up with numbers that actually tie out rather than inherited errors carried forward. You then get a verified opening balance to move ahead from.
What happens after the catch-up is done?
You have two options. We can hand back clean, reconciled books with agreed opening balances for you or your accountant to maintain, or we can keep you current through our bookkeeping or outsourced accounting service so you never fall behind again. Most businesses that were behind once choose the ongoing option.
How much does a catch-up cost?
It depends on how many periods are outstanding, your transaction volume, and the state of the records. Because that varies widely, we scope the backlog first and give you a clear fixed quote before starting — no open-ended hourly surprises. Share a few details through the enquiry form or talk to sales.
Enquire
Get your books caught up
Tell us how far behind you are and any deadline you're facing — we'll scope the backlog and come back with a clear plan and quote.