Why your annual accounts are always late — and how that can change

Every year I see the same pattern. The deadline approaches, the accountant requests documents, the entrepreneur scrambles — and the accounts end up months late.

Not because the accountant is slow. Not because the entrepreneur is unwilling. But because the process is not set up to run smoothly.

At Futura, that is organised differently. I ensure the file is complete before work begins. That sounds simple. But it saves four to six weeks of turnaround time on average.

What I do

As soon as the financial year closes, I send a tailored checklist. Not a generic list of twenty items — but exactly what your situation requires. Bank statements, payroll returns, debtor and creditor administration, investment overviews.

I follow up. Friendly but consistent. So you do not forget and we do not have to wait.

And I prepare the file so that Job and Gerti can start immediately when everything is in.

What you can do yourself

Keep your administration current throughout the year. Processing your bank statements monthly takes an hour. Catching up at year-end takes a week — and stress.

Use one folder — digital or physical — for all incoming invoices. If you throw nothing away, you will find everything back.

Set a fixed quarterly moment to review your figures. That way you always know where you stand.

Accounts on time is not an art form. It is a matter of preparation.