How to find an e-commerce accountant?

When looking for an e-commerce accountant, the best thing to do is to start your search online. It is always best to use a specialist e-commerce accountant as they will be familiar with all of the complexities of your business.

Typically, a search of Google is the best place to start, as this will allow you to visit their website and establish whether they are an e-commerce accountant. 

Once you have a shortlist of e-commerce accountants, you should Google the name of their business and see what their Google business listing looks like. Does it clearly lay out their address and contact details?

Then you should read some of their reviews and see if you think they seem to work well with the clients who have completed a review for them.

Once you have done this, it is best to move on to their website and have a look around.

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What should I look for on the website of a specialist e-commerce accountant?

They should have the address of their business and multiple ways to contact them.

They should have pages on their website about e-commerce accounting under the sectors that they work with, and I would also expect to see a number of blogs relating to e-commerce accounting and some of the more complex areas of e-commerce accounting such as VAT for e-commerce businesses trading in the EU.

Once you are satisfied with your initial research, it is best to either email them a list of questions or, better still, book a call with them to see what they are like.

It’s always best that they speak with you in order to understand your business, your current situation, as well as your future plans, so they can best advise you.

Then they should produce a quote, usually via email and may attach their engagement letter unless they have offered you multiple options and have further queries.

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Does it matter if my e-commerce accountant is located near me?

The short answer is no. Everything is done remotely now and if you have opted to include some consultancy in your package, then this can be done on the phone and by Zoom. We use some great software that produces reports and dashboards to help translate the e-commerce bookkeeping and accounting into a more commercial set of information to help you support the growth of your business.

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Finding and Choosing an E-commerce Accountant - Checklist

Are they a specialist e-commerce accountant?

Do they have good reviews?

Are their contact details and address clearly visible?

Does e-commerce accounting feature on their website and blog?

Can you book a no-obligation call to discuss your requirements?

Did they seem knowledgeable and approachable on your call, and did they ask questions and answer yours?

Have they sent you a quote?

Has this been followed up with an engagement letter?

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Questions to ask an e-commerce accountant?

Do you work with other e-commerce businesses?

What platforms do your other clients trade with?

What software do you use for your e-commerce bookkeeping?

Does my e-commerce business need to be a limited company?

Should my e-commerce business be VAT registered?

How and when will I receive my accounts?

What else can you do to help me run my business and grow?

You should feel comfortable asking questions. A good accountant will want to understand your business, not just sell a package.