As late as a bit of account I lost (5)
I believe the answer is:
until
'as late as' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'a bit of account i lost' is the wordplay.
'a bit of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'UNTIL' can be found hidden inside 'account i lost'.
(Other definitions for until that I've seen before include "Up to that moment" , "Pending such time as" , "As late as" , "Before a given time" , "Not beyond (hour)" .)