Sector specialists
Ecommerce accounting has to reconcile marketplace fees, multi-currency sales, stock valuation and VAT across channels. Here is what a proper setup covers.
Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.
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QuickBooks PartnerCertified ProAdvisor100+ yearsCombined team experienceFully insuredUp to £2m indemnityAn ecommerce seller's accountant reconciles gross marketplace sales against fees and refunds, values stock correctly at the year end, and gets VAT right across Amazon, Shopify and international sales, none of which a bank feed alone will show you.
Marketplace fees, stock and multi-currency
VAT across channels and borders
An ecommerce seller's accountant reconciles gross marketplace sales against fees and refunds, values stock correctly at the year end, and gets VAT right across Amazon, Shopify and international sales, none of which a bank feed alone will show you.
Amazon, eBay and similar platforms pay out net of commission, fulfilment fees, advertising spend and refunds, often days after the sale and in batches covering hundreds of orders. Booking the net payout as turnover understates both sales and expenses and misstates gross margin, so the accounts need gross sales, fees and refunds recorded separately from the settlement reports.
Stock bought in bulk, held in a UK warehouse or in Amazon FBA, needs a year-end valuation at the lower of cost and net realisable value, adjusted for damaged, returned or unsellable units. Multi-currency sales through platforms like Etsy or Shopify also need consistent exchange rate treatment, or the profit and loss shifts with currency movements that have nothing to do with trading performance.
Selling through multiple marketplaces can mean VAT is partly collected and remitted by the platform itself under marketplace facilitator rules, particularly for overseas sellers, while your own site sales are your direct responsibility. Mixing these up leads to VAT either double-counted or missed.
Selling into the EU brings import VAT, potential registration under the EU's One Stop Shop for distance sales, and customs considerations that a UK-only VAT return does not capture. Getting the VAT treatment right by channel before registration, not after HMRC asks questions, avoids assessments and penalties.
Rates, thresholds and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position and current Companies House and HMRC guidance. Check GOV.UK, or ask us, before relying on them for your own company.
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Frequently asked
Not separate, but you generally need an integration such as A2X or Link My Books feeding Xero or QuickBooks, so marketplace settlements are broken into sales, fees and VAT automatically.
Statutory accounts only require a year-end valuation, though sellers with tight margins often value monthly to track true profitability.
Sellers with meaningful stock and multi-channel sales usually need our £169 or £289 a month package to cover the extra reconciliation work.
Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.
The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.
Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.
Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.
We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.
The relevant calendar may include annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and return dates, confirmation statements, VAT returns, payroll submissions and Self Assessment. We map the dates from your company year end and registrations.
No. This page explains general UK rules and common accounting treatment. Your facts, contracts and wider tax position must be reviewed before you rely on a conclusion.
Included approach
Check the current rules
Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.
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