Preparing bank statements for your accountant

Whether it’s for a Self Assessment return, a company’s year-end accounts, or a catch-up of several years, the job always starts with the bank statements. A complete set sent once costs less than a partial set followed by emails.

Step by step

1. List every accountCurrent accounts, savings, business accounts, credit cards, PayPal or other payment accounts used for the business.
2. Download the full periodCover every day from the start to the end of the accounting period or tax year, including the statements that straddle each end.
3. Check for gaps and duplicatesAdd the statements to “Several statements” in the converter. It tells you about any missing month, duplicate or overlap.
4. Name the files clearlyBank, account and month, like Starling-Business-2026-03.pdf.
5. Send the originalsSend the PDFs as downloaded, not printed, scanned or re-saved copies.
6. Offer a spreadsheet tooAsk if they’d like the combined CSV as well. Many accountants will.
7. Explain the odd onesNote anything unusual: a large transfer, a loan, money from family, personal spending from a business account.

Send securely

Use your accountant’s client portal if they have one, rather than plain email. Statements contain your full financial details. See is it safe to upload bank statements.

What your accountant may ask for as well

• Sales invoices, and receipts for larger expenses
• Details of any loans, and loan statements
• Statements for any business credit card
• Payment platform reports (card machines, online marketplaces), which often pay in one lump sum that needs breaking down

Sending these with the statements avoids a second round of questions.

How long it takes

For one account and one year, downloading the statements takes a few minutes, and checking them as a set takes seconds. Doing it before the accountant asks is the quickest way to a return filed on time, and often to a smaller bill, because the accountant spends less time chasing and checking.