A repair order mixes parts, labor, sublet work, shop supplies, and hazardous waste fees into a single total, and most shop books record it as a single total too. That makes effective labor rate unknowable, hides which technicians and which job types actually earn, and leaves parts inventory as a purchase figure rather than an asset — so the shop can be busy, profitable on paper, and quietly consuming its own stock.
Parts vs. labor
Split on every repair order, because the margins are nothing alike.
Inventory on the books
Parts as an asset, with cores and returns reconciled.
Sublet costed to the job
Outside work against the ticket that carried it.
Receivables aged
Insurance and warranty balances visible before they go stale.
What we handle
- Repair orders split into parts, labor, sublet, and fees so gross profit is readable per line
- Parts inventory tracked as an asset with core charges and returns handled properly
- Technician efficiency and effective labor rate supported by the way the books are coded
- Sublet work recorded as cost against the job rather than general expense
- Insurance and warranty receivables aged, so slow payers are visible
Common problems we fix
- One revenue account for everything, so parts margin and labor margin are indistinguishable
- Parts expensed at purchase, leaving inventory on the shelf and off the balance sheet
- Core charges and vendor returns never reconciled against the parts account
- Insurance receivables sitting uncollected because nobody was tracking their age
Why your state matters here
Bookkeeping for auto repair and collision shops is not the same in every state. Sales tax rates and what is taxable, registration and licensing, payroll rules, and filing cadence all vary — and for this industry those differences change real work, not just a number on a form. Pick your state below for specifics.
We keep the books. You run the business.
Categorization, reconciliation, month-end close, and clean financial statements — with nothing left for you to chase.
View pricingHow It Works
Free review
We look at how your auto repair and collision shops books are set up today.
Fix the structure
Chart of accounts rebuilt around how your industry actually earns and spends.
Catch up
Anything behind gets cleaned up at a fixed quoted price.
Close monthly
Current, reconciled books every month — ready for your CPA.
Auto Repair & Collision Shops Bookkeeping by State
Sales tax nexus and taxability, licensing, payroll rules, and filing cadence differ by state. Pick yours for a state-specific guide.
Auto Repair & Collision Shops — Frequently Asked Questions
Do you understand auto repair and collision shops specifically?
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Do you work in my existing accounting file?
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Can you help if I am months behind?
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Bookkeeping built for auto repair and collision shops
Book a free consultation and we will tell you what your books need — and what it costs.
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