Ecommerce Accounting Course for Online Sellers

Course Structure: 12 Essential Chapters

Chapter 1: Understanding ecommerce accounting basics

What you'll learn: The fundamental difference between regular business accounting and ecommerce accounting, key terms, and why tracking every penny matters for online sellers.

Sarah's story begins: Meet Sarah who started selling coffee beans online but realized she was losing money despite good sales numbers.

Chapter 2: Setting up your chart of accounts

What you'll learn: How to organize your financial accounts specifically for ecommerce, including platform-specific categories and expense types.

Sarah's challenge: Sarah learns to separate her Shopify sales from Amazon FBA revenue and discovers hidden costs she never tracked.

Chapter 3: Revenue recognition and multi-channel sales

What you'll learn: When to record revenue, handling returns and refunds, and managing income from multiple platforms.

Sarah's breakthrough: Understanding why her December sales spike didn't mean December profits, and how platform timing affects cash flow.

Chapter 4: Cost of goods sold (COGS) tracking

What you'll learn: Calculating true product costs, inventory valuation methods, and tracking costs across different sales channels.

Sarah's reality check: Discovering her premium coffee blend was actually losing money when she included all hidden costs.

Chapter 5: Platform fees and transaction costs

What you'll learn: Understanding and tracking all platform fees, payment processing costs, and how they impact profitability.

Sarah's surprise: Learning that her "best selling" product on Amazon was barely profitable after FBA fees.

Chapter 6: Inventory management and valuation

What you'll learn: Different inventory methods (FIFO, LIFO, weighted average), managing inventory across platforms, and preventing stockouts.

Sarah's system: How she tracks 15 different coffee varieties across three platforms without losing her mind.

Chapter 7: Expense categorization and deductions

What you'll learn: Properly categorizing business expenses, maximizing tax deductions, and tracking mixed-use expenses.

Sarah's tax savings: Discovering legitimate deductions she missed that saved her $3,200 in taxes.

Chapter 8: Sales tax compliance made simple

What you'll learn: Understanding nexus laws, collecting sales tax, and filing requirements for online sellers.

Sarah's compliance: How she handles sales tax in 12 states without hiring an expensive accountant.

Chapter 9: Cash flow management for seasonal businesses

What you'll learn: Forecasting cash needs, managing seasonal fluctuations, and avoiding cash crunches during peak seasons.

Sarah's planning: How she prepares for the holiday rush and manages inventory purchases with limited cash.

Chapter 10: Financial statements that make sense

What you'll learn: Creating and understanding profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for ecommerce.

Sarah's clarity: Finally understanding what her numbers mean and how to use them for better decisions.

Chapter 11: Key performance indicators (KPIs) for profitability

What you'll learn: Essential metrics every ecommerce seller should track, benchmarking performance, and identifying problem areas.

Sarah's dashboard: The five numbers she checks daily to stay profitable and grow strategically.

Chapter 12: Year-end procedures and tax preparation

What you'll learn: Closing your books, preparing for taxes, working with accountants, and planning for next year.

Sarah's success: How proper year-end procedures helped her secure a business loan and plan for expansion.

Course Features

Consistent example business

Every chapter follows Sarah's Coffee Co. as it grows from a startup to a successful multi-channel business, making concepts relatable and practical.

Real-world scenarios

Each chapter includes actual problems online sellers face, not theoretical accounting concepts that don't apply to ecommerce.

Practical templates

Downloadable spreadsheets, checklists, and templates that you can customize for your business.

Platform-specific guidance

Detailed instructions for Shopify, Amazon FBA, Etsy, eBay, and other major platforms.

Progressive complexity

Starts with basic concepts and builds to advanced strategies, perfect for beginners who want to grow their knowledge.

Target Audience

Perfect for:

• New ecommerce sellers who are confused about their finances
• Established sellers who know they're missing important financial details
• Anyone who wants to understand their true profitability
• Sellers preparing for business growth or financing
• Online entrepreneurs tired of expensive accounting services

Not suitable for:

• Large enterprises with complex accounting needs
• Sellers looking for tax advice (we cover basics but recommend professional help)
• Anyone wanting automated solutions without understanding the fundamentals

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, you'll be able to:

• Set up a complete accounting system for your ecommerce business
• Calculate true profitability for each product and sales channel
• Manage cash flow and seasonal fluctuations confidently
• Prepare accurate financial statements and tax documentation
• Make data-driven decisions to grow your business profitably
• Work effectively with accountants and bookkeepers when needed

Chapter Format

Each chapter follows this structure:

• Opening scenario with Sarah's Coffee Co.
• Core concepts explained in simple terms
• Step-by-step implementation with screenshots and examples
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Sarah's solution showing how concepts apply practically
• Action items to implement immediately
• Quick review of key takeaways

Bonus Resources

• Template library: Accounting spreadsheets, expense trackers, and inventory management tools
• Checklist collection: Monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting tasks
• Platform fee calculators: Know your true costs before you sell
• Cash flow forecasting tool: Plan for seasonal changes and growth
• Tax deduction finder: Comprehensive list of ecommerce business deductions

Getting Started

Begin with Chapter 1 to meet Sarah and understand why ecommerce accounting is different from regular business accounting. Each chapter builds on the previous one, so we recommend reading in order for the best learning experience.

Ready to master your ecommerce finances? Let's start with the basics and build your confidence one chapter at a time.