Creative Business Bank Account and Paperwork

Question:  

Do I need to open a bank account for my creative business and is there any paperwork I need to keep?

It is always wise and practical to have a bank account to keep track of your finances related to your creative business, that includes all monies coming in from sales and all expenditure.  

There are two options available for doing this.  

If you are a sole trader, you can open either a business bank account which is used solely for business purposes.  Alternatively, you can use a personal account.  Which ever you choose, it is important to monitor your account carefully to keep tract of all monies coming in and out.  (If you run a partnership or limited company, there are specific requirements that will need to be adhered to).

In addition to your bank account, we would recommend keeping a simple spreadsheet to keep up to date of your money.  The money is the lifeblood of your business and it is really important to keep on tract.  Managing your money monthly or bi-monthly can really make a difference to keeping on top of your accounts.  You will know how your business is doing on a regular basis, and if you are spending too much or not making enough sales, you can address this area quickly.  If you leave it for 6 or 12 months, you may be in for a bit of a shock.   When you need to submit your financial accounts to HMRC for Self Assessment purposes, it will be much easier to complete, rather than having to wade through a whole year of invoices, receipts and bank statements.

As part of your business, you must keep the following records:

• all business sales and income
• all business expenses
• VAT (if you’re registered for VAT)
• PAYE (if you employ people)
• your personal income

You’ll also need to keep proof such as:

• receipts for goods, stock, materials and other business costs
• bank statements and chequebook stubs
• sales invoices, till rolls and bank slips

For more information, do visit HMRC's website and access their online training course for more information on Self Assessment, Keeping Business Records and Claiming Business Expenses

Keeping a spreadsheet on your computer, such as an Excel document to help you keep upto date with your finances.  There are lots of free template available on Microsoft office Alternatively, keep a book with columns to detail your income and expenditure.  

If you need more information, assistance or advice, please contact us at info@jewellerycraftsacademy.com and a member of our qualified accountancy team will be able to assist.  Our team offers a full accountancy and bookkeeping service.

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