Industries

Audit and advisory for E-commerce

Q: How can companies in E-commerce get a proposal?

Simply share your company and needs via the proposal form; our team, which knows your industry, will send our scope, timeline and fee proposal in writing. Phone: +90 212 951 02 47.

Marketplace and own-channel sales, returns and promotions, payment reconciliations, warehouse stock and data security.

Get a proposal +90 212 951 02 47

Financial reporting and audit in E-commerce companies

E-commerce companies process large numbers of small transactions through their own websites, marketplaces and social commerce channels. Matching sales with channel, payment provider and courier data, recording returns and promotions in the right period and reconciling marketplace payouts directly determine the reliability of the financial statements.

Fast-growing e-commerce companies also face funding rounds, warehouse and logistics investments, and obligations arising from Law No. 6563 on the Regulation of Electronic Commerce. ARSEN applies an audit approach in which the entire transaction data set is examined with data analytics, and supports e-commerce companies with valuation and financial due diligence as they grow.

Audit focus areas in E-commerce companies

Principal versus agent and revenue

A company selling its own stock records revenue gross, while a company selling another party's products as an agent on a marketplace records only its commission as revenue. Under TFRS 15 the distinction depends on who controls the goods, and it changes revenue significantly.

Returns, coupons and promotions

Returns under the right of withdrawal, discount coupons, basket promotions and loyalty points may require part of revenue to be deferred or a refund liability to be recognised.

Payment and marketplace reconciliations

Virtual POS, payment institution, cash-on-delivery and marketplace payout records must be matched with order data. Deductions, commissions and late payouts are common differences at period end.

Warehouse stock and returned goods

Counting stock held in the company's own warehouse or at a third-party logistics provider, the resaleability of returned goods and the valuation of slow-moving products are key audit matters.

Tax and regulation

E-invoice and e-archive rules, VAT, withholding tax rules specific to e-commerce, and ETBİS registration and obligations for large marketplaces under Law No. 6563 must be monitored closely.

Personal data and information security

Processing customer, address and payment data makes KVKK compliance, access management and incident response critical; data breaches mean both administrative fines and reputational damage.

Key standards and concepts in this industry

Revenue from contracts with customers (TFRS 15)The standard requiring revenue to be recognised to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers, at the amount the entity expects to be entitled to.Performance obligationA promise in a contract with a customer to transfer a distinct good or service.Inventories (TAS 2)Assets held for sale in the ordinary course of business, in the process of production, or as raw materials and supplies to be used in production.E-invoiceIssuing an invoice electronically, in line with the standards set by the Revenue Administration, and transmitting it to the buyer.Value added tax (VAT)An indirect tax levied on the value added at each stage of the supply of goods and services and passed on to the final consumer.IT general controlsControls over access management, change management, IT operations and system development that ensure information systems operate reliably.Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK)Law No. 6698, which governs the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in the processing of personal data and the obligations of data controllers.ValuationEstimating the monetary value of a company, share, asset or liability at a specific date and for a specific purpose.

Our services for E-commerce

Audit and Assurance

Independent Audit

An independent auditor's opinion, to international standards, on the financial statements of companies subject to the Turkish Commercial Code, the CMB, the BRSA and the EMRA.

Explore IT Risk Management

Personal Data Protection Assurance

We set up your KVKK (Turkish data protection) management system, support your own set-up, or independently audit the maturity of your existing system.

Explore Advisory

IT Advisory

Advisory from strategy to implementation in cybersecurity, data analytics, automation and IT transformation.

Explore Corporate Finance

Financial Due Diligence and Modelling

Due diligence and financial modelling that reveal the target company's true profitability, working capital and indebtedness.

Explore Corporate Finance

Valuation

Valuation of businesses, shares and intangible assets; purchase price allocation (PPA) and impairment testing.

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Proposal request

Get a tailored proposal for the E-commerce industry

Share the scope in a few lines and we will send you our team, timeline and fee proposal in writing. Free of charge and non-binding.

Under founding-partner supervision
Member of the SFAI international network
Written, transparent proposal

or call: +90 212 951 02 47

Frequently asked questions about E-commerce

Is marketplace revenue recognised gross or net?

If you control the product before it is transferred to the customer (inventory risk, pricing discretion and primary responsibility to the customer), you are the principal and the gross sale amount is revenue. If you are arranging the sale of another seller's product, only the commission you receive is recognised as revenue.

How are marketplace payouts reconciled with the accounting records?

Order, shipping, return and marketplace payout reports are matched by order number, and commission, shipping and service fee deductions are separated out. Doing this reconciliation monthly significantly reduces period-end differences and the time the audit takes.

Are e-commerce companies subject to independent audit?

The general thresholds also apply to e-commerce companies: companies exceeding at least two of the total assets, net sales and headcount criteria in two consecutive periods are subject to audit. You can check right away with our audit requirement test.

How can companies in E-commerce get a proposal?

Share your company and needs via the proposal form and our team, which knows your industry, will send our scope, timeline and fee proposal in writing. Phone: +90 212 951 02 47.

Last updated: October 23, 2026

Let's talk about this year's audit.

Share the scope and we will send you our team, timeline and fee proposal in writing.

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