TL;DR:If you’re running a 7-figure ecommerce business solo with no financial systems, you don’t need just a tax preparer. You need a full-stack accounting partner. This post outlines exactly what to look for, what to ask on intro calls, and 5 top firms vetted bySam’s List.
Step 1: What You Actually Need (If You're Doing It All Alone)
If you're making $2M+ in ecommerce revenue and managing everything yourself with only a tax preparer, here's what you really need:
Monthly bookkeeping + closeby the 10th of each month
Inventory & COGS trackingthat can handle returns, landed cost, chargebacks
Multi-state sales tax supportvia TaxJar, Avalara, or in-house workflows
S-Corp setup +payroll optimization(even if it’s just you)
Cleanup helpif books are behind
Personal + business returnswith zero handoff gaps
Step 2: Exact Questions to Ask on Intro Calls
Copy + paste these to vet like a pro:
Ecom Experience
"What ecommerce clients do you support (Shopify/Amazon/etc)?"
"How do you handle inventory, COGS, and returns? Periodic or perpetual?"
Sales Tax + Systems
"Do you manage sales tax in-house or work withTaxJar/Avalara?"
"What tools do you integrate with and prefer for ecom clients?"
S-Corp Strategy
"Do you handle payroll setup + reasonable comp for a solo owner?"
"How do you approach quarterly estimates and tax planning?"
Service Model
"Who’s my day-to-day? How fast is your response time?"
"Do you offer Slack or async support, and are monthly check-ins included?"
Cleanup Capability
"If books are behind, what’s your cleanup process?"
"Do you handle IRS/state notices?"
Step 3: Shortlist Criteria to Pick the Right Firm
Look for firms that checkat least 4 of 5:
✅ Dedicated ecommerce practice
✅ Clear inventory methodology
✅ Sales tax compliance workflow
✅ Monthly close cadence + reporting sample
✅ Quarterly tax planning
Step 4: 5 Vetted Ecommerce Firms from Sam’s List
1.Bookkeeper360
Full-service ecommerce bookkeeping + tax + fractional CFO
Works with Shopify, Amazon, and more
Fixed pricing from $350/mo to $10K+
Deep inventory, COGS, and sales tax support
2. CPA on Fire
Big Four-trained CPAs offering concierge tax + strategy
Includes personal and business returns
Focused on HNW entrepreneurs and 7-figure founders
Strong in proactive planning + fractional CFO support
3. ECOM CPA
Built specifically for 7–9 figure ecommerce sellers
Everything in-house: bookkeeping, CFO, tax planning & filing
Handles inventory, multi-state, and S-corp setups
Flat-fee pricing from $1K–$20K/mo
4. Good Operator
Operator-first financial team focused on cash flow businesses
Extremely hands-on with KPI dashboards, forecasting, BI
Best for bootstrapped founders scaling profitably
Known for systems + margin coaching
5. Steady Co
Combines Big Four expertise with practical startup execution
Offers Steady Core + Steady Pro monthly packages
Excellent for founders who want one team for it all
Starts at $500/mo for full-service accounting
Ecommerce Accounting FAQs
Do I really need an ecommerce-specialized accountant?
Yes—if you have inventory, multi-channel sales, or sales tax exposure across states, a generalist won't cut it.
Can’t I just use QuickBooks and file taxes with my CPA?
Not if you want accurate COGS, proper margins, or a clean year-end close. You need monthly books and tax planning.
How much should I expect to pay for all-in support?
Expect $1,500–$4,000/mo for full-stack ecommerce accounting and $3–10K annually for tax planning + returns.
Do I need a fractional CFO or just bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping gets you clean numbers. A fractional CFO helps you make decisions with them. Many firms offer both.
What tools should my accountant use?
QuickBooks Online or Xero, plus ecommerce connectors like A2X, and tax tools like Gusto, Avalara, or TaxJar.
You Need More Than Just a Tax Pro
If you're serious about building something durable (and not getting crushed at tax time), it's time to level up. Hiring the right accounting partner is one of the highest leverage moves you can make.
For more on building your financial back office, check out ourGuide to Fractional CFOson Sam’s List.
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UseSam’s Listto get paired with vetted ecommerce accounting firms in <48 hrs.
Author: Kimi, Co-founder of Sam’s List
Kimi writes about what she's learning while building Sam’s List and shares honest takeaways from her conversations with accountants and financial advisors across the country. None of this is financial advice—just the stuff most people wish someone told them sooner.





