FOR AUTO REPAIR & SERVICE SHOPS
Bookkeeping & Profit First Coaching for Auto Repair Shops
Running a shop isn’t just about fixing cars. It’s technicians, parts, bays, scheduling and customers, and somehow it all has to make a profit. If you’re always busy but not sure where the money goes, or whether your labor rate and parts markup really cover your costs, you’re not alone.
Abacus gives auto repair and service shop owners clean monthly books, clear margins and Profit First coaching, so you know what the shop really makes and can plan for growth.
The money challenges shop owners tell us about
- Unclear margins on parts and labor. You’re not sure what you actually make once parts, technician pay and overhead are covered.
- Technician productivity. Hours paid and hours billed don’t always line up, and the gap quietly cuts into profit.
- Equipment and tools. Lifts, diagnostic tools and bay upgrades are expensive, and without a plan they drain cash.
- Uneven months. Busy weeks and slow weeks make cash flow hard to predict.
- Working nonstop without the profit to show for it. Revenue grows, but your take-home pay doesn’t.
How Abacus helps auto repair shops
Monthly bookkeeping in QuickBooks. Every transaction categorized and every account reconciled, with your financial reports ready each month, so your numbers are always up to date.
Clear margins on parts and labor. We set up your books so you can see gross profit on parts and labor separately and spot where margin is slipping.
Profit First for your shop. Profit, owner’s pay and operating expenses are set aside from every deposit, with money put away for equipment and slow months.
Planning for big decisions. New lifts, another technician or a second location: we help you see what you can afford before you commit.
Monthly reviews with you. We walk through your numbers every month, so you understand them, not just receive them.
What you'll know every month
- Your true net profit, not just what’s in the bank
- Your gross margin on parts and on labor
- Whether your labor rate covers your real costs
- How much to set aside for equipment and slow months
- How much you can safely pay yourself
Is Abacus a fit for your shop?
We work best with auto repair shops, specialty repair and auto service businesses that:
- Have been in business 3+ years
- Bring in roughly $1–4M+ a year
- Use (or are happy to move to) QuickBooks Online
- Want to understand their numbers, not just hand them off
We work with auto repair and service shops across the United States, fully virtually.
Hear from business owners who took control of their numbers and transformed their businesses
Auto Repair Shop Bookkeeping FAQs
How do I know if my labor rate is high enough?
Your labor rate needs to cover technician pay, the hours they can’t bill, your overhead and a profit. We help you see those numbers every month so you can set a rate that works.
Should parts and labor be tracked separately?
Yes. Tracking parts and labor sales and costs separately shows your gross margin on each, so you can tell whether parts or labor is carrying the shop.
How can I plan for expensive equipment?
With Profit First, a set amount goes into savings from every deposit, so new lifts and tools are funded instead of going on credit.
Do you work with auto shops across the US?
Yes. Abacus is fully virtual and works with auto repair and service shops across the United States.
Do I still need to be involved if you do my bookkeeping?
Yes, but not in the data entry. We meet with you every month to review your numbers, so you understand them and can make better decisions about pricing, spending and growth.
Ready to know what your shop really makes?
Take the free Profit Diagnostic to see where your business stands, or book a call with Kerry to talk it through.