1. Every account matches its statement
For each bank, card and payment processor account, the balance in your books on the last day of the period should equal the balance on the statement, after listing the items still in transit. If any account is unreconciled, stop there. Nothing else in the reports can be trusted until it is.
A reconciliation that ties to the penny is the single best sign that books are in good shape. A reconciliation that was forced with an adjusting entry is a warning, not a pass.
2. Few or no uncategorized items
Look for accounts named Uncategorized, Ask My Accountant, Suspense or Opening Balance Equity with balances that are not nearly zero. Each one is a pile of decisions someone has not made yet. A handful of recent items is normal. A pile that goes back a year is the work a CPA will charge to sort out.
Clear the oldest items first, since they are hardest to remember and most likely to be wrong.
3. Income ties to what you invoiced and deposited
Total sales in your books should be close to the total in your invoicing or payment system, with the difference explained by refunds, fees and timing. If a payment processor deposits net of fees, make sure the fees appear as expenses and not as lost income.
If you have sales tax, check that it sits in a liability account and not in income.
4. Loans, payroll and owner activity are in the right place
A loan payment should reduce a loan balance and add interest expense, not post entirely as an expense. Owner draws and contributions should not appear as business income or expense. Payroll should tie to your payroll reports.
These are the entries that lenders and CPAs check first, because mistakes here distort profit.
5. Prior periods are locked
Once a period is final, lock it so nobody changes it by accident. A lender who sees a profit figure that changes from one request to the next loses confidence quickly.
If prior periods are not final, finish them and then set the closing date in your software.
6. Reports tell a story you can explain
Read the profit and loss and balance sheet like a stranger. Does a big expense have a reason? Are there negative balances where there should be none? Are there accounts you cannot explain? If you cannot explain a line, a lender or CPA will ask.
Write a short note about anything unusual. It saves a round of emails.
7. Support is easy to find
For large items, know where the invoice, contract or statement is. You do not need to scan everything. You need to find it within a day.
A cleanup kit that walks through these tests in order, with an account map and a status page, can keep the work organized. Whether the books are ready for a specific lender or tax purpose is for your CPA or the lender to say.
Common questions
How long does cleanup take?
It depends on how many months are behind and how much is uncategorized. A rough count of unreconciled months is the best first estimate.
Can I fix this myself?
Often, yes, for reconciliation and categorizing. Bring in help for loans, payroll and anything you are unsure of.
Will my CPA charge less if the books are ready?
Often, since less time goes to sorting. They set their own fees, so ask.
This guide is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rules, fees and due dates change; check with the IRS, the NJ Division of Taxation or a licensed professional for your situation.