Setting up as a Sole Trader – Resources
Last Updated on 17 July 2026
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Welcome to the resource page for ‘setting up as a sole trader’ courses.
Resources and downloads for people setting up on their own can be found below.
This includes materials to help people who are moving from employment to self-employment for the first time.
Below are the most relevant helpsheets for this course.
You will find more resources in the Finance for Freelancers and Networking and Marketing sections.
There is a list of relevant video explainers at the bottom of this page >
Helpsheets:
Read David’s explanation of how to register as a sole trader here >
1-Splitting the personal from the business >
3-Tax and National Insurance >
4-Paperwork, record keeping and digital tax >
5-VAT basics for sole traders >
8-Accountants (what they do and what to ask them) >
9-Insurance and other practicalities >
Templates:
These templates are provided in Microsoft format, but can be imported into Apple Pages or Apple Numbers software.
They can also be uploaded to a your Google Drive (incl Google Docs and Google Sheets), which is free.
If you need these templates in other formats, please email us at: training@davidthomasmedia.com
Budgeting sheets to plan and control spending
Spreadsheet – Monthly budgeting sheet for freelancers (calculate how hard you need to work!)
NEW! Spreadsheet – Monthly budgeting sheet with multiple income streams (calculate the amount you need to work across all your types of income)
Spreadsheet – Set yourself some annual earnings targets (calculate how much income that would mean per day)
Spreadsheet – for personal (not business) spending
Cash flow planners
Spreadsheet – Cash flow for sole trader/Ltd
Spreadsheet – Simplified cash flow planner for freelancers, incl. household and PAYE income
View video explainer by David about this cash flow planner >
Business income record sheets
for Sole Traders, Partnerships, or Ltd Companies
Spreadsheet – Income and Expense (Profit and Loss) account for businesses
Spreadsheet – Pay Slip record for PAYE freelancers
Getting paid properly
Template 7 – Invoice. (Or here for a pdf example with notes.)
Blank project proposal form – with notes
For media freelancers (including PAYE/payroll freelancers)
Simple “Confirmation of Booking” letter – downloads Word doc in new window