When owners disagree about the numbers
Partners disagree about the numbers
When owners stop trusting each other's math, the first step is a set of books everyone can read. We can reconcile the records and report what the transactions show.
Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. See my Intuit listing
Matthew Coleman, QuickBooks ProAdvisor, accounting and finance degree. Cranford, NJ. Start with a free health check of your books. You get a quote after we review your books, before any work starts.
Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. See Tallyfinch
What we produce
Reconciled bank and card activity, owner draws and contributions by person, and a profit and loss by period, with supporting documents attached.
Who we work for
We take instructions from whoever engages us, and the engagement should be clear about that. In a real dispute each side should have their own attorney, and we can provide records to them.
Limits
We don't take sides, give legal advice or testify as experts. Litigation support needs a forensic accountant.
Why neutral records matter
In a dispute, memory differs and everyone points to different transactions. A complete ledger tied to bank statements gives both sides the same facts, which often narrows the disagreement to a few items.
What a good package looks like
A transaction listing for the agreed period, categorised and reconciled, a summary of owner contributions and withdrawals, and a list of unexplained items. We present facts and do not assign fault or give opinions about what each person is owed.
Get a lawyer involved early
If the dispute may reach court or a buyout, your attorney should direct what records are produced and who receives them. We work through the attorney when asked.
Related
- Books that won't reconcile
- Selling a business
- Bookkeeping health check
- Bookkeeping guides
- Catch-up and cleanup
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with the agency, lender or your professional. Updated October 2026.
FAQ
Common questions
Can you decide who is right?
No. We report what the records show.
Can I hire you without telling my partner?
It depends on your agreement and who owns the books. Ask your attorney.
Do you handle divorces or estates?
We can prepare business records, but a family or estate attorney leads.
Can one owner hire you without the other knowing?
We tell you up front who we work for and what access we need. An owner generally has rights to company records, but ask your attorney.
Will you testify?
We prepare records. Anything beyond that is a matter for your attorney.
Tallyfinch
Books you keep on your own computer
Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries.
See Tallyfinch Download it free Compare the three apps