How to Record a Direct Online Sale Paid by Credit Card (Gross Method)
Recording the full sale price as revenue and the payment gateway fee as a separate selling expense.
| Account Name | Type | Debit ($) | Credit ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash in Bank (Net) | Asset (+) | 96.10 | - |
| Payment Processing Fee | Expense (+) | 2.90 | - |
| Sales Revenue | Revenue (+) | - | 99.00 |
💡 Accountant's Note
Always record the full sale price as revenue. The payment gateway fee (Stripe, HyperPay) is a separate selling expense. Recording only the net amount understates revenue and distorts gross margin.
Practitioner & Systems Framework
💻 ERP Architecture
Configure your payment gateway integration to post each transaction using the gross method: full revenue to Sales Revenue, net deposit to Cash, and the difference to Payment Processing Fees. Most ERP connectors for Stripe and HyperPay support this natively. Create a Payment Gateway Clearing account to hold gross sales until the bank deposit is matched, then clear it on settlement.
⚠️ Audit Flags
Auditors test whether net settlement amounts are being incorrectly posted as gross revenue — a common error in businesses that reconcile only to the bank statement. Also verify the fee rate applied is consistent with the gateway contract (Stripe is 2.9% + $0.30 standard; regional gateways vary).
📄 Required Documentation
Gateway transaction report (gross sales, fees, net payout by transaction), gateway contract showing fee schedule, bank statement showing net deposit, and monthly reconciliation of gateway clearing account.
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Expert Analysis by Qusai Ahmad
General Accountant Supervisor & IFRS Specialist
Specialized in SAP GUI automation and Middle Eastern tax compliance. Building digital tools for the next generation of finance leaders.