Accounting for Ecommerce & Retail: What to Look For
Ecommerce and retail businesses deal with high transaction volumes, complex VAT scenarios, inventory management, multi-channel reconciliation, and tight margins. Whether you sell through Amazon, Shopify, eBay, or your own website, your accountant needs to handle marketplace fee reconciliation, cost of goods sold tracking, stock valuations, international VAT obligations, and real-time financial visibility.
General guidance reviewed 12 July 2026 · How we review content
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Corporation Tax
Expert corporation tax compliance and planning for limited companies.
VAT Returns
Accurate VAT registration, returns, and compliance.
Bookkeeping
Professional day-to-day financial record keeping.
Annual Accounts
Statutory annual accounts preparation and filing.
Making Tax Digital
MTD compliance for VAT and Income Tax Self Assessment.
International Tax
Cross-border tax advice for businesses and individuals with international operations.
Ecommerce & Retail Accounting FAQs
How do I handle VAT on marketplace sales?
Marketplaces like Amazon may be the deemed supplier for VAT purposes on certain transactions. Your accountant needs to identify which sales you account for VAT on and which the marketplace handles, then reconcile accordingly.
How should I value my stock for accounts?
Stock should be valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost includes purchase price plus any costs to bring stock to its present location and condition. Slow-moving or obsolete stock should be written down.
What bookkeeping software works best for ecommerce?
Xero and QuickBooks both integrate well with ecommerce platforms. Specialist tools like A2X or Link My Books automate the reconciliation of marketplace settlements into your accounting software.
Looking for Ecommerce & Retail accountants?
Review the questions to ask, then check claimed profiles for explicitly confirmed ecommerce & retail experience.
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