Guidelines For Successful Ecommerce Bookkeeping

By Nancy Hayes


Keeping proper accounts for a business is not only smart but also quite necessary. Ecommerce bookkeeping can be confusing if one does not know what to pay attention to. One should remember that the accounting concepts remain the same. Only instead of keeping a folder with lots of receipts and invoices, one will have a folder in their cloud with digital ones. Every once in a while there will be a paper receipt for a business expense. These should be properly stored too.

At the end of every week, do a mini report. Look at the performance that week. Look at the cash flows and expenses. Look at how some of the special projects have performed that week. Like digital ads for example. Those usually have metrics attached to them. Heck to see if there is a need for modification. This ensures one knows what the finances look like. Then if a situation arises where a decision must be made quickly, there will be no problem.

On a monthly basis, look at the general position. This means that one needs to look at the cash, expenses, and sales. Keep an eye on the patterns. By comparing data from different months one can even extrapolate and effectively tell what the future might look like. One can also examine the impact of special events and projects on the bottom line.

Before beginning the exercise of self-accounting, one should learn the importance of some aspects. Accounts receivables, for example, are often misrepresented. Some look at the money due to them as their funds. This should be clear, it is an asset sure. But, until the accounts are settled that money is not available for plans and budgeting. Do not be too optimistic. Sometimes that money is never availed for expenditure.

The other important bit is the bank reconciliations. This is an exercise where the accounting records are matched to the bank statement. This is meant to reveal possible inconsistencies and errors. The earlier it is done the better as it will be easier to correct them then. It will also prevent the same mistakes in the future. Some find this exercise very boring and might put it off. Frequency is determined by the frequency of transactions. Advice: suffer through it.

There are many ways to back up documents. Important financial documents especially. A data stick for example. Just do not let this get in the wrong hands. A safer way to back up is the internet. One can procure a free internet storage space or they could buy one. It all depends on how much safety one is hoping for. Whichever way one decides to go, an extra copy of the financial documents must be kept someplace safe and away from the regularly used computer.

Time is a slippery thing. Such a rare commodity. There will never be enough time in the day, especially for sole proprietors. One might also still miss something despite learning important words. Then there are all the duties one is responsible for such that there is no more capacity left for accounting. Hire a professional.

Look for qualifications. Look for the cost of service. Look for appreciation for accounting ethics. These are some of the most important qualities of good accounting service.




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