To initially setup the time if there is a big difference you can use the following command
/usr/sbin/ntpdate -s -b -p 8 -u yourISP.NTP.Server.IP
Debian:
Setting timezone: sudo dpkg-reconfigure tzdata /etc/ntp.conf server 0.bg.pool.ntp.org server 1.europe.pool.ntp.org server 2.europe.pool.ntp.org
Great references http://www.akadia.com/services/ntp_synchronize.html
hwclock –systohc