Dispensary Accounting & CPA Services
Monthly bookkeeping, POS and cash reconciliation, 280E and COGS planning, and excise tax filings for cannabis dispensaries, from a CPA firm that works with cannabis retailers every day.
Talk to a Dispensary CPAWhat Is Dispensary Accounting?
Dispensary accounting is bookkeeping, tax, and financial reporting built for a licensed cannabis retailer. It covers the same ground as any retail business, plus three things most accountants never handle: Section 280E, a cash-heavy register, and state cannabis taxes that change often.
A dispensary's books have to show which costs belong in cost of goods sold, tie every POS sale to the bank and the state tracking system, and keep cash counts that survive an IRS or state audit. When those pieces are right, the tax bill drops and the numbers become useful for running the store. See our full range of cannabis CPA services.
You May Need a Dispensary CPA If:
- Your federal tax bill is far higher than your profit suggests
- Your POS, bank deposits, and books never quite agree
- You are not sure which costs count toward COGS under 280E
- You hold both medical and adult-use licenses
- You are opening a second location or raising money
Is 280E costing your dispensary more than it should?
Book a confidential call to review your COGS, cash controls, and tax position.
Dispensary Accounting Services We Provide
Monthly Bookkeeping & Close
We record every sale, purchase, and expense, reconcile bank and cash accounts, and close the books each month so you get financial statements you can act on.
POS & Cash Reconciliation
We match POS reports to bank deposits, safe counts, and state tracking data, and flag gaps early. Our guide on POS reports that prevent theft shows what to watch.
Inventory & COGS
We set up inventory costing that holds up under 280E, track shrink and write-offs, and keep COGS documented. Learn more about dispensary inventory management.
280E Tax Planning & Returns
We prepare federal and state returns, plan around 280E, and split medical and adult-use activity for dual-license stores.
Excise & Sales Tax Filings
We file state cannabis excise, sales, and local cannabis taxes on time and reconcile them to your sales so the amounts match.
CFO Support & KPIs
We build cash forecasts, budgets, and store-level KPIs such as basket size and margin by category. See our outsourced CFO services.
280E for Dispensaries in 2026
Section 280E blocks federal deductions for ordinary business expenses when a business sells a Schedule I or II drug. For an adult-use dispensary, that means rent, payroll, marketing, and most overhead cannot be deducted. Federal tax is figured on gross profit instead of net profit.
On April 28, 2026, marijuana sold under a state medical license moved to Schedule III, so 280E no longer applies to that medical activity going forward. Adult-use cannabis is still Schedule I. Stores with both license types need a documented way to split revenue and costs. Our guide explains how to split medical and adult-use costs.
A dispensary is a reseller, so its cost of goods sold is mainly what it pays for product plus the cost of getting that product to the store. Getting COGS right is still the biggest federal tax lever for adult-use sales.
What Your Books Should Show Each Month
- Sales by POS, tied to bank deposits and cash on hand
- COGS separated from operating expenses
- Medical and adult-use activity tracked separately
- Excise and sales tax collected versus paid
- Cash payments over $10,000 logged for Form 8300
- Margin by product category and by store
Cash, Banking & Compliance
Many dispensaries still run on cash because banking access is limited. That makes controls and paperwork part of the accounting job.
A business that receives more than $10,000 in cash in one transaction or related transactions must file IRS Form 8300 within 15 days. See our Form 8300 guide.
Daily drawer counts, safe logs, and deposit records should tie to POS totals, so missing cash shows up the same week.
Large cash tax payments take planning. We schedule payments and keep receipts so the IRS and state credit them correctly.
Cannabis-friendly banks and credit unions ask for clean monthly financials and source-of-funds records. We prepare them.
State seed-to-sale records must match your inventory and sales. Gaps between the two are a common audit finding.
Organized records, a written COGS method, and reconciled taxes make an IRS or state audit faster and cheaper.
Opening or Growing a Dispensary?
Before you open, we help you choose an entity structure, build a budget and cash plan, and set up a chart of accounts made for cannabis retail. Our guide on how to open a dispensary covers each cost, and our article on dispensary ROI shows how to measure the return.
For stores already open, we track the numbers that drive profit. Our list of key KPIs for cannabis dispensaries is a good place to start.
States We Cover
Running more than one dispensary?
We consolidate reporting across stores and entities so you can compare locations side by side.
Why Dispensaries Choose GreenGrowth CPAs
Cannabis Focus
Cannabis is a core practice for us, so 280E, COGS, and cash controls are routine work, not research.
One Firm
Bookkeeping, tax, CFO support, and audit sit under one roof, so nothing falls between providers.
Credentials
We are a PCAOB-registered firm and an AICPA member, serving more than 1,500 clients since 2016.
Multi-State
We publish dedicated guides for 16 state cannabis markets and serve clients from offices in California, New York, and Texas.
Dispensary Accounting FAQs
What does a dispensary CPA do?
A dispensary CPA keeps the books, reconciles POS sales to cash and bank deposits, prepares federal and state tax returns, plans around Section 280E, and files cannabis excise and sales taxes. Many also provide CFO support such as cash forecasts and store-level KPIs.
Does 280E still apply to dispensaries in 2026?
Yes for adult-use sales. Adult-use cannabis is still Schedule I, so adult-use dispensaries can only deduct cost of goods sold on the federal return. Since April 28, 2026, sales under a state medical license are Schedule III, so 280E no longer applies to that medical activity going forward.
What counts as cost of goods sold for a dispensary?
A dispensary is a reseller, so cost of goods sold is mainly the price paid for cannabis products plus the cost of getting them to the store. Rent, payroll for sales staff, and marketing are generally not part of COGS for a reseller.
Do dispensaries have to file Form 8300?
Yes. Any business that receives more than $10,000 in cash in one transaction or in related transactions must file IRS Form 8300 within 15 days. Cash-heavy dispensaries should track this every day.
Can you work with a dispensary that has both medical and adult-use licenses?
Yes. Dual-license stores now need to split revenue and costs between medical and adult-use activity, because only adult-use activity is still subject to 280E. We set up the tracking and document the method.
How much does dispensary accounting cost?
Cost depends on the number of locations, sales volume, and whether you need bookkeeping only or tax and CFO support as well. We quote after a free review of your current books and needs.
Do you help people opening a new dispensary?
Yes. We help with entity setup, budgets, cash planning, a cannabis chart of accounts, and tax planning before the doors open, so the books are right from the first sale.
Ready to Work With a Dispensary CPA?
GreenGrowth CPAs helps dispensaries with bookkeeping, 280E planning, cash controls, excise tax, and financial strategy. Schedule a confidential consultation to get started.
Schedule a Consultation