C Corp books not matching last filed return. HELP!
I have a possible new c corp client whose last accountant went MIA on them & they need someone to catch up 24 & 25 books & file those returns since 23 was the last filed return. I looked at his QBO & it is a total mess & the P&L & BS do not come close to matching the tax return that was filed. I do not want to get involved in any mistakes from the past and want to start a clean baseline. I know he could close that account and open a new company file, which to me sounds like a huge task, and I don't have much experience from starting at point blank with a C Corp. Or I could journal entry and zero out etc to match the filed return. As a tax preparer, I am nervous about the implications since he is a C Corp. & also how it will affect his financials in the future? The numbers are wayyy off-idk where the last bookkeeper got that BS. Any advice on which method to approach? I want to take on this client because the money is good and once it is cleaned i will be taking over the books and preparing the future returns. The client also really wants to get on track. I keep seeing so many mixed reviews online.