Tips for selecting an accounting firm for your e-Commerce business

Are you an ecommerce business owner who finds that running your business takes up too much time to manage orders and fees? Do you worry that just any accountant won't have the specialized experience necessary to make sure everything runs smoothly? Worry no more.

Accounting services include order processing, invoice creation, expense tracking, bill payment, bookkeeping tasks, payroll services, sales taxes, financial reports, operating expenses, and more. With a deep understanding of these responsibilities, you can find your skilled accountant.

Our team is here to guide you through all the financial aspects of growing a successful enterprise.

We combined helpful facts with clever tips and process-driven accounting solutions so that you can quickly plan your next step in finding the best accountant for your online business.

Get Familiar with ecommerce accounting services

Before choosing an accounting firm, do your research on ecommerce accounting. Even if you are not an accountant, the ecommerce is your field.

So, start with a clear understanding of what services you will need and what you intend to manage in-house.

Ecommerce accounting

Ecommerce accounting involves tracking and analyzing transactions related to online sales.

Specific duties performed by an ecommerce accountant include bookkeeping and financial record-keeping. Also, budgeting, accounts payable processes, collections management, and reconciliation of merchant account activity.

Good ecommerce accountants must track inventory levels for online stores. They should also handle customer refunds or returns quicker than a traditional business.

Accrual Accounting

This is the primary method used for ecommerce accounting. Accrual accounting allows businesses to record income and expenses as they occur.

Accrual accounting helps owners better plan for future cash levels and growth forecasts. It is all about creating accruals or accounts receivable and payable, that serve as anticipations of cash flows.

It allows the user to assess their total accrual balance so they can have a better idea of how much money they will have in their bank account at any particular time. This can give them the insight they need to make informed decisions.

It can also allow them to stay on top of any changes in their finances, accounts receivable, or payable down the line.

Cash basis accounting

Cash accounting is popular among sole traders and small businesses. It is a way of recording income and expenses in an ecommerce business. It involves tracking your sales, payments, and costs on a per-transaction basis when cash is exchanged.

In essence, it requires that money received must be recorded as income at the time it was received. Even if the sold goods or services have not been delivered yet. Likewise, expenses are only recognized when money has been paid out, even if you haven’t used up the goods or services yet.

But it does not provide as deep an insight into a company's financial position. That is why accrual accounting is often the preferred tool for larger firms.

It is also used to track cash payments and receipts. It records income, allowing businesses to identify their cash flow situation inspect.

Inventory management

Since inventory is the lifeblood of ecommerce business, it is also a primary point in ecommerce accounting.

Accountants track inventory with precision but also with management. So that profits can remain high while maintaining unlimited growth potential. An accountant who can capture and follow up on these details sets up a business for success.

Taxes of ecommerce business

When it comes to taxes, virtual business face extra challenges. Ecommerce accountants track each sale and store them in the accounting system. They then adhere to various rules about customer location status, and collect sales tax.

Ecommerce accountants use a combination of methods to manage sales tax. Typically, they will leverage an automated solution to help streamline the process. This automation typically involves syncing with ecommerce platforms and collecting information from customers, such as their shipping address, product category, and inventory codes. Then, the system computes the applicable taxes for each customer’s order.

Accountants track more than the general costs of running a business. They record the expenses related to online advertising, which opens opportunities for deducting them during tax season.

Look for an accountant that understands ecommerce businesses

Having an experienced accountant guarantees absence from making costly mistakes. So no wonder expertise and experience are key factors in determining the outcome of your financials and financial statements.

The right accountant can provide invaluable guidance and ensure your records are accurate. This also means you have access to better tax strategies and accountability. They’ll be able to identify potential tax savings or opportunities. That would otherwise be difficult to spot.

So when finding the right accountant consider ones that:

• understand the unique challenges of ecommerce bookkeeping

• help small business owners to maximize their revenue potential by leveraging new technologies

• identify and target customers with higher-value buy habits

• manage inventory and shipping costs, as well as cash flow statements

• understand which tax structure works best for a particular business

• able to tell on website design and optimization techniques to boost conversion rates

• optimize ecommerce accounting system and business bank account

• generate accurate financial reports and financial records

• create custom financial statements based on cash basis accounting

• ensures businesses pay only the necessary income taxes

• provide invaluable support to ecommerce businesses

• prioritize the fundamentals for accounting for ecommerce

Ask which accounting software do they use?

As an online business owner, you should know about the latest trends. One of the most popular is cloud accounting software. It's become an essential asset to businesses over the past few years.

There are many advantages of using cloud accounting software compared to traditional methods. It is faster, more secure, and more cost-effective, and is a proven way to track sales tax and cash flow.

It also enables users to share expenses, track payment terms, create invoices, and generate reports in seconds. All this leads to improved accuracy and accountability of data, which is useful for better decision-making processes within the company.

You can do a whole lot more than just tracking the cost of goods sold. A simple sales tax software can help you improve sales channels, cash flow statement, income statement, and financial data. The benefits are endless for ecommerce entrepreneurs!

Furthermore, this software has built-in features such as automated backups, recovery systems, and sales tax tools. This helps end potential revenue loss due to unforeseen circumstances.

Ask if they can help you grow your business 

Accounting involves more than managing finances on a day-to-day basis. Look for an accountant who has the knowledge and experience to help you grow your business.

It's about offering advice that will position your company for long-term success.

An experienced accountant can provide valuable insight into budgeting and tax planning. As well as providing guidance around investing capital.

By recognizing risks early and instituting proper protocols in response, businesses can avoid costs when damage occurs and let that business grow.

Accountants can provide personalized guidance to help your business grow by:

• providing strategies for reducing costs

• improving cash flow management

• capitalizing on tax credits or deductions

• reviewing existing contracts with vendors or customers

• keeping up with the ever-evolving regulations related to online transactions

• conducting thorough audits and keeping accurate records of all transactions made over time

• providing valuable insights into how you can reinvest

• helping develop strategies for cost-saving initiatives

• getting ecommerce bookkeeping in check

An ecommerce accountant’s job is to maximize your company's potential. Additionally, ecommerce accountants can ensure businesses receive the most accurate earnings reports possible.

Include communication clause in contract

Having a well-defined contract in place can help ensure effective communication. So don't forget to include a contract clause on the method and intensity of communication.

Ensure they’re available when you need them most. That is during tax season or when dealing with unexpected financial issues.

A good ecommerce business owners know how response rates influence a brand's reputation. And it shouldn’t be different when it comes to ecommerce accounting.

Also, consider personalities when choosing an accounting firm. Make sure that the firm and the people who will be working on your account are a good fit for you and your personality.

Get quotes from multiple firms before making a decision

Gathering quotes from many firms is an integral part of selecting an accountant. This will allow you to compare each firm's different services.

Here are some reasons why getting quotes from many firms is essential:

It allows you to use most of the packages

When you get more than one quote, you can decide which package offers the most value for the price. For example, a package may include certain services that another does not have. Different companies charge different rates and offer services to ecommerce companies of varying scope and levels of detail.

It allows you to use potential discounts

You can also see if there are any special discounts or promotional offers available. Many quotes can often help you secure discounts or better rates. This could lead to considerable savings over time.

You'll be able to determine who is most qualified

You will have better insight by researching and comparing different experiences and certifications.

It can be difficult to determine which candidate is qualified for accounting tasks such as recognize future account receivables and apply the correct accounting method. But, with a bit of research and comparison, it is possible to gain better insight into who will best meet your needs.

You'll be able to plan a budget and avoid surprises

Many quotes give insight into the timeline, which is convenient for budget planning. Having many quotes can also help you plan your budget better.

So that when it comes time to hire an accountant for your ecommerce business, you know exactly how much money you need to spend without exceeding your budget limit or having any surprises down the road.

Additionally, many accountants may offer negotiated rates.

Help you have peace of mind

Getting quotes from many firms is essential for several reasons. Most of all, it helps you have peace of mind knowing that you've vetted if they can meet your specific needs.

This will give you greater peace of mind knowing that there aren't any hidden fees or costs.

Conclusion

Like you, we hope that your business grows! However, it's only possible if you take the time to search for an accountant who will meet your needs and provide significant long-term value.

Start by asking around – talk to family, friends, colleagues, and your peers in the industry. Ask if they can recommend a particular ecommerce accounting firm.

Looking at online third-party reviews can be beneficial too. You could use online review sites like Yelp or Google My Business. Read through all reviews to get a better understanding before making a decision.

Another valuable resource is client testimonials on the accounting firm’s website itself. This can help you gauge their level of professionalism and customer service.

Finally, ask plenty of questions when speaking with representatives from each company. This will help you to gain insight into their work, services, expertise, and will save you time, energy, and money in the long run.

At Profitwise Accounting we understand that ecommerce is different to other businesses and deserves special treatment. We can help you make the most of it.

Sign up today for a free consultation with one of our experts!