Find out exactly what’s wrong with your books – and what to fix first.
If you’ve ever had a nagging feeling that something is off in your books — but you’re not sure what — a Diagnostic Review gives you answers. Most owners have been avoiding this moment for months or years. A Diagnostic Review makes it manageable – you finally know what you’re dealing with, and more importantly, you know it’s fixable.
Most business owners use their QuickBooks file to file taxes, make financial decisions, and apply for loans. The problem is, errors in that file can go undetected for years. On average, we find around $30,000 in errors per file. In one case, we uncovered $700,000.
Average errors we find in a QuickBooks file
Largest single file error total we've uncovered
Your review includes:
- QuickBooks file structure
- Chart of accounts organization
- Account reconciliations
- Transaction categorization
- Comparison of your tax return to your QuickBooks
After the review, you’ll receive:
- A written summary of everything we found
- A list of recommended changes — so you know what needs to be tackled
- A meeting to walk through the results together and answer your questions
Note: This is a review, not a cleanup. Think of it as the starting point that tells you exactly what cleanup looks like for your situation.
Every file is different, but here are issues we run into regularly:
Duplicated revenues
Negative loan or credit card balances
Payroll benefit and liability issues
Accounts that have not been reconciled for extended periods
Accounts on the balance sheet that don’t exist
Old, uncollectible invoices still included in accounts receivable
During a recent review, we discovered a business owner’s payroll taxes had not been submitted correctly for over a year. This is a criminal offense that can result in significant penalties and jail time. The owner had no idea until we found it.
What is a QuickBooks diagnostic review?
It’s a professional evaluation of your accounting file. We look for errors, inconsistencies, and areas that need attention — and then give you a clear plan for addressing them.
Is this the same as a financial audit?
No. A Diagnostic Review is not a financial audit nor is it designed to detect fraud. We work directly within your QuickBooks file — we don’t examine underlying source documents or issue an opinion on your financial statements. Think of it as a practical review of your accounting setup, not a formal audit engagement.
Why would my business need one?
A lot of business owners know something feels off in their books, but they’re not sure where to start. A Diagnostic Review takes the guesswork out of it. You’ll know exactly what’s wrong and what to do about it.
What kinds of issues do reviews typically uncover?
Common findings include unreconciled accounts, duplicate categories, incorrect loan balances, misclassified owner draws, and inconsistencies between your financial reports and tax filings. Every file is a little different, which is why the review is personalized to your situation.
What do I receive after the review?
You’ll receive a written summary of what we found, along with specific recommendations for correcting the issues. We’ll also meet to walk through everything so you understand exactly where things stand and what your options are.
What happens after the review?
After the review, the next step is entirely up to you. Some business owners take the recommendations and handle the cleanup on their own. Others decide they’d like our team to take it from there. Either way, the findings belong to you – there’s no obligation to continue working with us, and you won’t feel pressured to make a decision on the spot.
How long does it take?
Most reviews are completed within 1–2 weeks, depending on the complexity of your file.
How much does a diagnostic review cost?
Pricing depends on the size and complexity of your file, but typically ranges from $300 – $500 per file. Contact us below to get a quote.