Industries
What is different about e-commerce bookkeeping?
Short answer
E-commerce books must reconcile platform payouts to gross sales, fees, refunds and chargebacks, track inventory and cost of goods sold, and handle sales tax or VAT across regions.
Detailed answer
A payout is not your revenue
Marketplaces deduct fees, refunds and sometimes hold reserves before sending money to your bank. Record gross sales and the related deductions so revenue and margins are visible. Inventory purchases are not automatically the same as cost of goods sold, and cross-border sales can involve several tax regimes.
Use clearing accounts and stock checks
Reconcile each platform settlement through a clearing account and investigate differences. Review stock quantities, landed costs and returns, and reconcile collected tax to reporting. Keep platform statements and connector audit trails so your accountant can explain how sales and bank deposits relate.
Country differences: rules, thresholds and terminology differ between the US, UK, Australia and Canada. Check the official source for your country below.
Official sources
Published by Expert Bookkeeping Services · Last updated 2026-11-01. General information only — confirm specifics for your situation with a qualified adviser.
Related questions
Free 20-minute consultation
Get a fixed monthly quote
Answer four quick questions and we'll come back with a clear scope and price.
Choose a consultation timePrefer to write? Send a message