Craftybase Stocksmith

Why?

Accounting

Inventory management, manufacturing, and business strategy for small-batch product businesses.

Direct vs Indirect Expenses Explained (With Examples)

bookkeeping tax

Direct vs Indirect Expenses Explained (With Examples)

Not all business expenses work the same way at tax time. Here's exactly how to tell your direct costs apart from your indirect costs, and why getting it right matters more than you might think.

· 17 min read
Cost of Goods Sold Formula for Small Manufacturers: Step-by-Step COGS Guide

bookkeeping tax

Cost of Goods Sold Formula for Small Manufacturers: Step-by-Step COGS Guide

Learn the COGS formula step by step with real-world examples for small manufacturers. We cover what to include, what to exclude, inventory valuation methods, and how to report COGS on your taxes.

· 35 min read
QuickBooks for Small Manufacturers: What It Does, Where It Falls Short, and What to Use Instead

bookkeeping tax

QuickBooks for Small Manufacturers: What It Does, Where It Falls Short, and What to Use Instead

QuickBooks is excellent accounting software — but it wasn't built for makers who manufacture products. Here's an honest look at what it does well, where it breaks down for small manufacturers, and how to build a system that actually works.

· 27 min read
Tracking COGS in QuickBooks vs. Stocksmith — What Syncs and What Doesn't

bookkeeping tax

Tracking COGS in QuickBooks vs. Stocksmith — What Syncs and What Doesn't

QuickBooks tracks your money. Stocksmith calculates your costs. Here's exactly what each tool does for COGS, why they differ, and how product businesses use both together.

· 14 min read
QuickBooks Spreadsheet Sync — Features, Pricing, and Limits

bookkeeping tax

QuickBooks Spreadsheet Sync — Features, Pricing, and Limits

QuickBooks Spreadsheet Sync sounds like the fix for your Excel-and-QuickBooks headache. It's genuinely useful for financial reporting. Here's what it actually does, what it costs, and why it won't help you track a single batch.

· 15 min read
How to Export Purchase Orders from Stocksmith to QuickBooks (PO Sync Guide)

product updates

How to Export Purchase Orders from Stocksmith to QuickBooks (PO Sync Guide)

A step-by-step guide to Stocksmith QuickBooks PO Sync — how to export purchase orders directly to QuickBooks Online, which plans support it, and what's coming next for the integration.

· 13 min read
Best Inventory Management Software That Integrates With QuickBooks (2026)

handmade success

Best Inventory Management Software That Integrates With QuickBooks (2026)

Looking for inventory management software that actually works with QuickBooks? Here's our 2026 roundup, plus why most integrations fail product businesses and what to look for instead.

· 21 min read
How to Track Inventory in QuickBooks (and What to Do When It Falls Short)

handmade success

How to Track Inventory in QuickBooks (and What to Do When It Falls Short)

Learn how to track inventory in QuickBooks Online and Desktop, and what to do when it doesn't fit your workflow. We explain what QuickBooks handles well, where it falls short, and how Stocksmith helps product businesses stay on top of materials, COGS, and production.

· 14 min read
How to Account for Product Given Away — Free Samples, Gifts and Write-Offs

inventory management

How to Account for Product Given Away — Free Samples, Gifts and Write-Offs

Giving away samples or gifts affects your inventory and tax records more than most product businesses realise. Here's exactly how to track them — and keep your books straight.

· 14 min read
Schedule C Instructions 2026: A Line-by-Line Guide for Product Businesses

bookkeeping tax

Schedule C Instructions 2026: A Line-by-Line Guide for Product Businesses

Schedule C 2026 for small-batch product businesses selling on Etsy and Shopify — COGS, materials, home studio deductions, and the mistakes that cost businesses money.

· 45 min read
FIFO vs LIFO vs Weighted Average Cost — Which Method Should Small Manufacturers Use?

bookkeeping tax

FIFO vs LIFO vs Weighted Average Cost — Which Method Should Small Manufacturers Use?

Not sure whether to use FIFO, LIFO, or weighted average cost for your product business? Here's what each method means in practice — with real production examples — and which one Stocksmith uses automatically.

· 15 min read
Inventory Requirements for Small Business: What the IRS Says and How to Track It

inventory management

Inventory Requirements for Small Business: What the IRS Says and How to Track It

The IRS doesn't care how small you are. If you make products from raw materials, you're required to track inventory. Here's what Publication 334 says — and the best way to keep track of inventory for your small business.

· 15 min read