My previous book keeper changed / deleted transactions, my bank balances and quickbooks balances are miles off after latest reconciliation. Do I need to reconcile from scratch?

Helping you deal with this significant situation on your accounting records is my priority, timvwandaudi.

If your previous bookkeeper made unauthorized changes to your transactions, it's important to address this immediately. Reconciling from scratch might be necessary to ensure the accuracy of your financial records. 

Given the complexity of the issue, I would recommend consulting with an accountant or a professional bookkeeper. They can help you investigate the reasons behind the reallocation of transactions and provide guidance on how to address the discrepancies. It's important to understand the root cause of these changes in order to properly reconcile your accounts and ensure their accuracy moving forward.

Please let me know if you have more concerns about reconciliation. I'll be around to help.