Accounting for Shopify

Everything you need to know to handle your Shopify accounting right

NOTE: This course will be updated during 2020 to include how to set up A2X to automate your Shopify sales. All past, present, and future students of this course will have access to any and all updates when they are released. In the meantime, you can learn how to do the accounting without any additional tools... and you'll better appreciate the automation if/when you set it up!


This course is for anyone who is doing the ecommerce accounting using Xero or QuickBooks Online for a company using Shopify for their website sales.

It discusses the specific challenges that business owners (and accountants!) face in capturing and recording accurate data, even with the use of add-on tools such as the Shopify integration with Xero and/or cloud inventory tools. We'll discuss how to handle multiple payment processors, how to properly configure your shopping cart to collect sales tax, and what to do about refunds and partial refunds. We will also cover all the ins and outs of inventory and cost of goods sold, including how to select the right cloud inventory tool for your business and how to calculate cost of goods sold accurately. We'll wrap it up by introducing a few extra tools to help you automate your accounting process and business requirements that are often overlooked by new sellers.

At the end of this course, you should know not only how to grab the data you need but also how to enter it and show that you've accounted for everything properly so you can rely on accurate financials without pulling your hair out!


"I’ve taken a look at most of your Accounting for Shopify videos. There is a lot of information here and I’m super impressed with all the work and planning you and Scott put into making this production. GREAT JOB!"

- Brian Landes, Open Sky Consulting LLC

"Just started the Shopify course! Patti you did such a good job of describing the complexities involved in the integration between a shopping cart and xero. Can’t wait to learn more."

- Tracey Brittain Newman, CloudCounting Pty Ltd

Your Instructors


Patti Scharf

Patti Scharf is the Co-Founder and Chief Accounting Geek for Catching Clouds LLC, the leader in ecommerce accounting. She is a blogger, speaker, and advocate in the accounting technology industry. She is a CPA who absolutely loves designing effective accounting systems for ecommerce businesses and is committed to advancing the artistry of accounting through the use of technology. You can follow her on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/CatchingCloudsAcademy).

Scott Scharf

Scott Scharf is the Co-Founder and Chief Ecommerce Geek of Catching Clouds LLC. Scott is passionate about helping business owners run better businesses by having detailed, accurate financials so they can make great decisions. Scott loves talking to and consulting with ecommerce sellers by reviewing their technology stack, internal operations, cloud inventory, and sales tax management.


Course Curriculum


  Welcome!
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days after you enroll
  Module 1: The Challenges of Ecommerce Accounting
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Frequently Asked Questions



+ When does the course start and finish?

The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.

+ How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own. If any updates are made to this course, you'll have access to those as well.

+ What accounting systems does this cover?

If you know us at all, you’ll probably be surprised to hear that this course covers BOTH Xero and QuickBooks Online. (We do screenshares and everything.) Even though Xero is our favorite, we can’t ignore the fact that so many people need help with QuickBooks Online.

+ What if I have questions?

That’s exactly why we started our (FREE) Facebook Communities, one for Ecommerce Sellers and one for Accountants. Come join us even if you don’t need the Shopify course (that’s where all the cool kids are)! (academy.catchingclouds.net)

+ Do you offer group discounts so I can train my team?

Your enrollment is intended to be for your use alone and not "firm" training... BUT just let us know if you need discounts on courses to share with your team ([email protected]), and we are happy to give you a volume discount.

Get started now!