What you get
Three files, instant download
Excel / Google Sheets Template
The .xlsx file works in Microsoft Excel 2016 and later, plus Google Sheets. No macros. No add-ins required.
Step-by-Step Instructions
A complete HTML guide covering setup, how each tab works, and answers to the most common questions about the template.
Printable Worksheet
A clean, print-ready version so you can plan on paper first and fill in the spreadsheet later. No printer? Skip it entirely.
How it works
Small Business Bookkeeping
QuickBooks is $30 to $200 a month. For a freelancer or small business doing under $500k in revenue, that's often not the right answer. A well-built spreadsheet handles the bookkeeping, produces a clean P&L, and costs nothing after the initial purchase.
Your accountant will appreciate the organized records either way.
This bookkeeping template gives you a structured monthly P&L using the same expense categories that appear on Schedule C of your tax return. At year-end, you hand your accountant organized records sorted by the categories they already use. That saves you in accountant hours.
What's in the file:
- Monthly P&L: revenue, COGS, gross profit, operating expenses, and net profit
- Schedule C expense categories: advertising, car/truck, depreciation, insurance, legal, office, rent, repairs, supplies, travel, meals (50%), utilities, wages, other
- Cash flow statement: operating, investing, and financing activities
- Accounts receivable aging: outstanding invoices by days overdue
- 12-month summary: monthly net profit bar chart, best and worst month, YTD
- Year-over-year comparison tab for businesses in year 2+
Designed for sole proprietors, LLCs taxed as sole proprietors, and single-member S-corps doing their own books.
Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
Features
What's inside
- Monthly revenue by category with 12-month P&L
- Operating expenses using Schedule C line categories
- Gross profit, operating profit, and net profit calculated
- Cash flow statement: operating, investing, financing
- Annual summary: best month, worst month, YoY comparison
- Works in Excel 2016+ and Google Sheets
Inside the template
Sample data
Real numbers showing what the spreadsheet looks like once you enter your information.
| CATEGORY | MONTH | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Revenue | $18,400 | $87,200 |
| Cost of Goods Sold | $4,200 | $19,800 |
| Gross Profit | $14,200 | $67,400 |
| Advertising | $800 | $3,800 |
| Contractor Pay | $2,400 | $11,200 |
| Net Profit | $8,100 | $38,500 |
Ready to start
Small Business Bookkeeping
All sales are final, since the file arrives the moment you pay. If it will not open or does not match this page, tell us and we will make it right. Full terms.
Instant download after purchase. Works in Excel and Google Sheets. No macros, no subscription, no setup beyond entering your numbers.
Microsoft Excel 2016+ Google Sheets
Common questions
FAQ
Is this a replacement for accounting software?
For a sole proprietor or a small single-owner business with straightforward income and expenses, it does the job and costs nothing per month. It is not a replacement once you have payroll, inventory, accrual accounting, or multiple people entering transactions. Those need real software and it is worth paying for at that point.
Are the categories tax-ready?
They map to the Schedule C expense lines, so the year-end totals transfer across directly instead of needing to be re-sorted in March. That mapping is the main reason to categorise as you go rather than at the end of the year.
Does it handle sales tax?
It tracks sales tax collected as a separate liability rather than as revenue, which is the distinction that matters, because that money is never yours. It does not calculate rates by jurisdiction or file returns. Multi-state sales tax needs dedicated software.
How do I get the files after buying?
Stripe takes the payment and the download link is emailed within a few seconds, no account needed. The link lasts 30 days and allows 10 downloads. Lost it? Send yourself a fresh one.
Refunds, file formats, Google Sheets, and customizing the template are covered on the templates page.