QuickBooks Tip for Creatives: How to Run a Balance Sheet and Why It Matters
As a creative professional—whether you're a designer, writer, photographer, or freelancer—your passion may be your art, but your success depends on understanding your finances. One key tool in your financial toolkit is the balance sheet, and if you use QuickBooks Online (QBO), it's easier to access than you think.
A balance sheet gives you a snapshot of your financial position. It's not just for tax season—it’s a tool for making better decisions and planning for long-term growth.
What’s a Balance Sheet (and Why Should Creatives Care)?
The balance sheet shows:
Assets – What you own (equipment, cash, camera gear, software licenses)
Liabilities – What you owe (credit cards, loans, mortgages)
Equity – The value left over after liabilities
As a creative, this tells you if you're building a financially sustainable practice or just scraping by.
How to Run a Balance Sheet in QuickBooks Online
Log into QuickBooks Online
Go to the Reports tab
Search and click “Balance Sheet”
Select the date that fits your needs (it shows the balance as of a specific date)
Customize filters as needed, then click “Run Report”
You’ll get a clean snapshot of where your business stands right now.
Why It’s Important for Creatives
✅ Helps you plan for slow seasons
✅ Shows how much debt you’re carrying vs. assets
✅ Makes tax time easier and more accurate
✅ Demonstrates business growth if you're seeking funding or partnerships
Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Only focusing on income and ignoring assets/debt
❌ Forgetting to update equipment purchases or depreciations
❌ Not reconciling your accounts monthly
❌ Assuming QuickBooks categorizes everything correctly
FAQ
Q: I’m not a numbers person. Can I still use this report?
A: Absolutely. It’s built for clarity and can be explained with support from a bookkeeping expert.
Q: Should creatives review a balance sheet regularly?
A: Yes—monthly check-ins help you stay proactive, not reactive.
Q: What if I see something wrong?
A: Errors are common. You can correct them manually or work with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor to help.
🎨 Want to understand your creative business finances better?
Book a call with Dr. Bryan Raya, QuickBooks ProAdvisor:
👉 https://calendly.com/dbr_bookkeeping/book-a-free-call-with-dbr
Let’s start Doing Business Right.
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