🎨 5 Biggest Bookkeeping Mistakes Creatives Make in Their First Year

Jan 21

As a creative professional—designer, photographer, writer, or artist—your focus is on your craft. But if you ignore your books, you risk turning your passion into a financial mess.

Here are five common bookkeeping mistakes that creatives make early on (and how to avoid them):

1. Not Separating Business & Personal Expenses

Buying software, supplies, and subscriptions with your personal card? That’s hard to track.
✅ Set up a separate business account—even if you’re just getting started.

2. Forgetting to Track Project Costs

Every client or gig has costs—travel, materials, tools. Missing those means missing profits.
✅ Use QuickBooks to track income and expenses per project or client.

3. DIY-ing Invoicing with Spreadsheets

Manual invoicing slows you down and increases errors.
✅ Automate your invoicing in QBO so you can focus on creating (and getting paid on time).

4. Ignoring Tax Deductions

Your camera gear, design software, even your home office may be deductible.
✅ Proper bookkeeping ensures you claim everything you’re entitled to.

5. Not Asking for Help

Most creatives didn’t go into business to crunch numbers—but your business still needs clean books.
✅ Partnering with a bookkeeping pro saves you time and protects your creative energy.

That’s where the DBR Bookkeeping Skool Community comes in

We support creatives like you with:

QuickBooks setup and training
Project-based tracking and invoicing support
Monthly reviews and cleanups
Mentorship for pricing, packaging, and financial confidence
A like-minded community who gets it

📞 Tired of stressing about your books?
Book a free call with Dr. Bryan Raya, QuickBooks ProAdvisor:
👉 https://calendly.com/dbr_bookkeeping/book-a-free-call-with-dbr

Let’s start Doing Business Right.

#CreativesInBusiness #BookkeepingForCreatives #FreelancerFinance #QuickBooksTips #DBRBookkeeping #DoingBusinessRight

Bryan Raya