Finance for Freelancers – Resources
Last Updated on 30 June 2026
Welcome to the resource page for our finance for freelancers training.
Below are useful helpsheets and templates to help freelancers get more organised and feel more businesslike.
These are the most relevant resources for this topic.
You will find more resources in the Networking and Marketing section.
There is a list of relevant video explainers at the bottom of this page >
Helpsheets:
Helpsheet 1 – Splitting the personal from the business >
Helpsheet 1sp – Savings and Pensions >
Helpsheet 2 – Types of business – sole trader vs limited company >
Helpsheet 2f – Defining production freelancer status – PAYE vs sole trader >
Helpsheet 3 – Tax and National Insurance >
Helpsheet 4 – Paperwork, record keeping and digital tax >
Helpsheet 5 – VAT basics for freelancers >
Helpsheet 6 – Student loans and freelancing >
Helpsheet 8 – Accountants (what they do and what to ask them) >
Helpsheet 9 – Insurance checklist and other practicalities >
Helpsheet 12 – How to agree work >
Helpsheet 13 – Late payments, and how to avoid them >
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