Why does it matter whether we are carrier or forwarder?

The role affects how revenue and costs are presented and which records are needed. It is determined from contracts and actual obligations, not from the service name.

How should late carrier bills be handled?

You need a rule that ties costs to the job and period, and a check that each subcontractor bill is received. The accountant agrees the exact accounting method.

Can we see margin for every route?

Yes, once each cost and revenue item is linked to a job. Usually that link is set up first and the report follows.

RelocationTR · Turkey

Accounting services for logistics and forwarding companies in Turkey

A logistics company earns from carriage and forwarding and spends on carriers, warehouses and other subcontractors. When the shipment, the subcontractor bills and the customer invoice are not linked, route margin is invisible and receivables grow unnoticed. RelocationTR works with your SMMM accountant to set up job-level accounting and control of balances.

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Discuss the scope

Typical situations

Logistics businesses usually contact us when:

Shipments are performed by subcontractors and nobody knows the margin per route.
Carrier bills arrive after the customer is invoiced, and costs fall into the wrong period.
It is unclear where the company acts as carrier and where as forwarder, and how that affects revenue.
Customers pay late and there is no receivables ledger by job.
Settlements with foreign carriers run in several currencies.

Document flow

Each job or shipment needs its own record set:

Customer order or contract with route, rate and payment terms.
Carrier, warehouse and other subcontractor contracts and bills for that job.
Transport documents (CMR, bill of lading, air waybill) and proof of delivery.
The customer invoice and any recharged costs.
Customer and subcontractor payments linked to the job.

Accounting tasks

The job is the unit of accounting:

Agree with the accountant how carriage and forwarding revenue are recognised.
Link subcontractor costs to the right job and period.
Keep a receivables ledger by customer and ageing.
Reconcile balances with carriers and subcontractors.
Account for foreign-currency settlements and exchange differences.

Deliverables

Within the agreed scope:

Margin reporting by job, route and customer.
An aged receivables report.
Balance confirmations with key subcontractors.
A list of jobs still missing subcontractor documents.

What we need to get started

For an initial assessment:

Transport modes, routes and the company's role (carrier or forwarder).
Jobs per month and main subcontractors.
A sample job with records from order to payment.
Current accounting software and who runs it.

Who is responsible for what

The SMMM accountant keeps the books and files returns. RelocationTR aligns job-level records, balance control and owner reporting. The operations team and subcontractors supply transport documents; transport licences and permits are a separate matter.

Not included

Unless agreed separately:

Transport licences and permits.
Debt collection through the courts.
TMS or other operational software set-up.
Cargo insurance and claims handling.

Pricing factors

We prepare a tailored quote based on:

Jobs and subcontractors per month.
Transport modes and number of countries.
Number of currencies.
The state of past-period records.

Frequently asked questions

Why does it matter whether we are carrier or forwarder?: The role affects how revenue and costs are presented and which records are needed. It is determined from contracts and actual obligations, not from the service name.
How should late carrier bills be handled?: You need a rule that ties costs to the job and period, and a check that each subcontractor bill is received. The accountant agrees the exact accounting method.
Can we see margin for every route?: Yes, once each cost and revenue item is linked to a job. Usually that link is set up first and the report follows.

Primary sources

These official materials were consulted for the general rules discussed on this page. Rates, special incentives and application-specific criteria require a separate review at the time of the enquiry. Sources checked on 16 October 2026.