Bookkeeping for designers
An ebook written by designers for designers to help them build confidence and knowledge about bookkeeping.
Design businesses don't fail from lack of design skills. They fail because they don't manage their finances well enough to remain viable. This ebook gives you the financial knowledge to build a strong, sustainable creative business.
Sharing what we know
Too many talented designers are struggling with the business side – they’re brilliant creatives but feel lost when it comes to profit and loss statements, cash flow forecasts, and knowing when to hire a bookkeeper.
We wrote this book because we’ve been there. We know what it’s like to be creative-first and business-second, and we want to give you the financial confidence to build a sustainable studio.
To grow, founders need solid financial knowledge. That’s where we can help. This ebook shares what we know about bookkeeping for a creative business. It’s written from a designers point of view, by design practitioners, for designers. It’s about sharing our knowledge, not accountancy advice.
What's included?
Bookkeeping for Designers includes topics like:
✅ pros / cons of DIY bookkeeping
✅ the cost of a bookkeeper
✅ how to hire a bookkeeper checklist
✅ the difference between a sole trader, a company and a partnership
✅ descriptions of profit and loss spreadsheet
✅ description of a cashflow forecast and why it’s important
✅ explanation of debtors, creditors
✅ how to do your BAS registration and why it’s important
✅ definitions and handy checklists.
What is 'bookkeeping'?
There is often confusion around what a bookkeeper does, where their role in a design studio begins, where it ends and where an accountant’s role begins. We understand that. It can be confusing.
The overlap depends on the skill, competency and frankly, interest level of the studio owner, the credentials of the bookkeeper and how hands-on your accountant wants to be.
Many designers do their own bookkeeping to begin with, then employ a bookkeeper to continue the job and free up their time. Others just continue as they began. Neither decision is wrong, this ebook is about understanding the bookkeeping needs of a design studio, and how best to accomplish them.
This ebook is practical, relevant and current
An ebook written by designers for designers to help them build confidence and knowledge about bookkeeping.
Practical
This is not an ebook using accountancy-speak, spreadsheets or jargon. It is written in plain english, using diagrams, notes and charts to explain the financial aspect of a design business. It’s not complicated, just detailed.
Relevant
We know what it’s like to try to find financial advisers who speak and understand ‘design‘. Doesn’t matter how good they are, they’re still knowledge gaps … hep fill it by learning to speak bookkeeping.
Current
Bookkeeping for designers is unique – it is written for Australian designers by Australian designers. It references current Australian company structures and compliance needs – practical financial management information.
Who is this ebook for?
Bookkeeping for Designers is perfect for:
✅ graduates curious about business structure
✅ start-ups building the foundation of their business
✅ solo designers tackling their own bookkeeping
✅ designers unsure whether they need to outsource bookkeeping
✅ creatives writing a bookkeeper’s job description
✅ small studios on a growth projection
✅ designers wanting more confidence talking financials
✅ business owners wanting more autonomy
✅ those wanting a financial reference tool.