Choosing a provider when you've got two or three years outstanding

You've been running a business, but the annual financial statements have stacked up. Maybe it's two years, maybe three. The guilt is real, but what matters now is picking someone who can actually handle the backlog without making things worse. The gap between a provider who can work through old records methodologically and one who'll cut corners or vanish halfway through is enormous—and it shows in your tax position, your bank's confidence in you, and your ability to move forward cleanly.

Experience with catch-up work, not just current-year statements

Not all accountants enjoy digging through old files. Some are set up for neat, forward-facing annual compilations where everything arrives in a folder and they process it in sequence. Catch-up work is different. It requires someone who has done it before, who knows what to expect when records are incomplete or disorganised, and who won't panic or inflate their fees because the job looks messy.

When you speak to candidates, ask directly: have they compiled statements for clients with multiple years outstanding? What was the longest backlog they've worked through? Listen for specific examples, not vague reassurance. Someone with real experience will describe common problems they've encountered—missing invoices, mixed personal and business expenses, incomplete bank reconciliations—and tell you how they solved them. That confidence matters because it means they won't treat your situation as an emergency requiring emergency pricing.

Also ask how they'd structure the work. A good provider will explain whether they'd tackle all years at once or work through them sequentially, and why their approach makes sense for your specific situation. Providers who haven't done this before often won't have thought about sequencing at all.

How they'll interact with SARS and your records

Multiple outstanding years raise red flags for tax authorities, and your accountant needs to understand that from the start. This isn't about hiding anything; it's about managing disclosure properly. When you eventually lodge amended returns or original filings for the missing years, the narrative matters. A provider who's done catch-up work knows how to present historical statements in a way that makes sense to SARS and doesn't invite unnecessary scrutiny.

Ask them how they'll handle the SARS angle. What information do they need from you upfront? Will they liaise directly with SARS if questions arise, or will they expect you to? Are they comfortable requesting extensions if the volume of work demands it, or will they promise an unrealistic timeline to win your business? Clear answers here separate professionals from cowboys. Also check whether they're registered with the relevant body for their qualification—ask for their registration number and how you can verify it.

On your records, ask what they expect you to provide. A provider managing three years of catch-up work needs to know whether your bank statements, invoices, and expense receipts are digitised or in boxes, recent or from years ago. They should ask you about this before quoting. If they don't ask, they haven't thought through what the job actually entails.

Realistic fees and fixed scope

Multiple years of work should be quoted with a defined scope, not an hourly rate that could spiral. Ask candidates to break down how they'd charge: per year compiled, per file reviewed, or a fixed fee for the full package. A fixed fee for clear scope is safer for you because you won't get surprise invoices halfway through.

Be cautious of providers who quote suspiciously low fees for three years' worth of catch-up work. Cost should reflect the actual effort involved. Instead of comparing prices, compare what each provider is actually promising to deliver. Some may charge more but include SARS liaison or a detailed audit trail of adjustments. Others may quote lower but expect you to do more leg work. Ask what's included and what's extra.

If a provider seems reluctant to give you a clear scope or fee structure, move on. Vagueness now becomes pain later, when your backlog still isn't done and bills keep arriving.

Finding someone on Strove who specialises in this specific challenge—catch-up compilation for businesses with years outstanding—means you're comparing providers who understand the job, not just providers who do annual statements as standard work.