Trust Account Cleanup for Law Firms

When the Bar Asks for Records, “We’re Working On It” Isn’t Good Enough

“I thought our trust account was fine… until it wasn’t.”

You’re Not Here Because Your Books Are Perfect.

You’re here because something feels… off.

Maybe your trust account hasn’t been reconciled in months.
Maybe your client ledger balance doesn’t match the bank.
Maybe your CPA said, “This isn’t really my area.”

Or maybe you opened QuickBooks, looked at your trust register… and closed the tab immediately.

You’re not alone.

Most attorneys assume their books are fine - until the bar sends a letter.
By then, it’s not a bookkeeping problem.
It’s a compliance problem with consequences.

We’ve helped firms clean up trust accounts that were 18+ months behind.
Others that had never done a three-way reconciliation - ever.

And the bar doesn’t care why it happened. Only that it did.

Commingling Is the Most Common Trust Accounting Violation

It’s also the easiest one to miss.

You don’t need to commit fraud to be in violation.
You just need to move the wrong $100 at the wrong time.

Here’s how it happens:

  • A client’s retainer is deposited into operating instead of trust

  • Filing fees are paid from trust before funds have cleared

  • Earned fees sit in trust for months - untouched

  • The trust bank balance looks fine… but the client ledger doesn’t match

  • Three-way reconciliations are skipped - or never done at all

These aren’t fraud cases.
They’re honest oversights with serious consequences.

In most states, one violation is all it takes to trigger an investigation.

And yes — we’ve seen firms get suspended over less.

We Don’t Clean Up Trust Accounts ‘As a Favor.’

We built a system for it.

At Accounting Atelier, we don’t wing it.
We don’t duct-tape your QuickBooks file and call it a day.

We specialize in trust account cleanups - for law firms only.

Whether you’re 6 months behind or have never reconciled a trust account in your life…
We know what to do next.

✔ Trust account deep audit - We identify every violation, risk, and missing reconciliation
✔ Client ledger reconstruction - We tie every dollar to a client, matter, and transaction
✔ Three-way reconciliations (backdated) - Trust bank, client ledger, and liability account aligned
✔ Bar-compliant corrections — We fix what the bar would flag - not just what looks “better”
✔ Audit-ready reports - Clean, structured documentation your CPA or bar investigator can understand
✔ Optional transition to monthly retainer - So this never happens again

Here’s what your cleanup includes:

You don’t need a clean slate.

You need a clean set of records - and someone who knows what to do next.

Why Law Firms Hire Us to Fix Their Trust Accounts

Outsourced virtual bookkeeping services for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Because guessing isn’t a strategy.

“Amy found violations our previous bookkeeper missed - and fixed it faster than we thought possible.”
— Managing Partner, Business Law Firm

“We hadn’t done a three-way reconciliation in over a year. I thought we’d be in trouble. Now we’re ahead.”
— Solo Attorney, Immigration Practice

“She didn’t just clean up our trust account - she rebuilt the system so we never get behind again.”
— Partner, Estate Planning Firm

Still hoping your current bookkeeper “figures it out”?

You don’t need to fire anyone today.
But you do need to know what the bar would flag tomorrow.

Let’s get you clean, compliant, and confident - fast.

What Attorneys Ask Before We Clean Up Their Trust Account

  • A trust account cleanup involves reviewing your existing books, identifying IOLTA compliance issues, reconstructing client ledgers, and completing missing three-way reconciliations. You walk away with a clean, audit-ready trust account - and a full report.

  • Yes. Most firms that hire us have never done one correctly - or at all. We specialize in rebuilding compliant trust records from scratch, even if you're months (or years) behind.

  • If your trust account hasn’t been reconciled in 2+ months, your balances don’t match, or your books have been handled by a generalist - you likely need a trust account cleanup first. We’ll assess that in your consult.

    Our law firm bookkeeping process here.

  • Unless they specialize in IOLTA reconciliation and legal bookkeeping, there’s risk. Most CPAs are tax-focused. Most in-house staff aren’t trained in bar compliance. We step in when accuracy and protection matter most.

  • Cleanup is a one-time engagement. Once your books are compliant, many clients continue with us on a monthly retainer to stay up to date - and never need another cleanup again.

  • Yes - we’re QuickBooks ProAdvisors and work seamlessly with legal billing platforms like Clio and LeanLaw. We’ll ensure your books, billing, and trust ledgers are fully aligned.

  • Most cleanups are completed in 2–4 weeks, depending on the complexity and number of months that need reconciliation. You’ll receive a precise timeline during your onboarding.