Marketplace and platform fees
Amazon, Shopify and payment fees bury true product contribution if not analysed properly.
Sectors
E-commerce
Marketplace, stock and contribution clarity for growing e-commerce brands.
E-commerce looks simple from the outside and complex in the ledger: marketplaces, payment processors, returns, stock and paid acquisition all distort the story if accounting is crude. GBFC helps online brands keep books clean and management packs focused on contribution, cash and channel profitability — so growth decisions are grounded in reality.
Challenges
Key financial and operational challenges
Digital commerce creates accounting and cash challenges that traditional retail packs miss.
Stock, returns and fulfilment
Returns provisions and 3PL costs can quietly destroy margin.
Marketing spend vs contribution
Paid acquisition can scale revenue while destroying cash without contribution reporting.
Multi-channel VAT and FX
Cross-border and multi-channel sales increase compliance and coding complexity.
Relevant services
Services relevant to e-commerce
Services that keep e-commerce brands compliant and commercially sharp.
KPIs
Sector-specific KPI examples
KPI examples commonly used with e-commerce clients.
Contribution margin
After product, fulfilment and variable fees
MER / CAC payback
Marketing efficiency and recovery period
Stock days
Inventory tied up relative to sales
Return rate
Returns as a share of orders or revenue
Cash conversion
Speed from sale to available cash
Channel margin
Profitability by marketplace or DTC
Client profile
Typical client profile
Typical e-commerce clients include:
DTC brands on Shopify and similar platforms
Marketplace-led sellers scaling beyond sole-trader bookkeeping
Omnichannel retailers with online and wholesale arms
Founders preparing for inventory financing or investment
Brands needing VAT-compliant multi-channel reporting
Engagement
How engagement works
We connect platform data to a clean ledger, then report contribution the way operators think.
01
Discovery
We review platforms, payment flows, stock handling and current reporting gaps.
02
Proposal
Fixed-fee scope for bookkeeping, VAT, management packs and compliance.
03
Onboarding
Feeds, fee coding and stock processes are set for reliable monthly closes.
04
Ongoing support
Contribution-focused packs, tax compliance and advisory on growth investment.
Insights
Related insight articles
Insights
Insights for e-commerce
VAT
VAT timing and working capital
How VAT dates interact with cash, and what to check before a recovery or growth phase stretches the bank.
Read articleSystems
Cloud systems worth the migration
When a cloud accounting move pays off — and what to fix in the chart of accounts before you switch.
Read articleCash Flow
Cash visibility before it hurts
Why weekly cash discipline matters more than a polished year-end pack — and the simple controls that stop surprises.
Read articleFAQ
E-commerce FAQs
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