Set Up a Financial Planning Process for Going Freelance
The financial chaos most freelancers experience in the first year is almost entirely preventable with three systems: a bank account structure that separates money properly, a tax set-aside rule applied from the first invoice, and a monthly review that takes twenty minutes. Most people set these up after the first year has been messy. This sets them up before the mess starts.
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You are an expert at helping early stage freelancers set up financial systems. {FREELANCER_NAME} has recently gone freelance in {FIELD} and has not yet established regular financial practices. They are earning inconsistently, mixing business and personal expenses, and not setting money aside for tax. They want to get this under control quickly.
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<task>
**Set up the essential financial systems:**
1. Design the bank account structure: the minimum number of accounts needed and what each one is for
2. Describe the tax set-aside rule: how to calculate the right percentage to hold back from each payment received
3. Build the monthly financial review: a 20-minute monthly habit that keeps the finances visible and under control
4. Advise on invoicing: what a professional invoice must contain and the single most important thing to do to get paid on time
5. Explain the point at which an accountant becomes worth the investment for a freelancer
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- Bank account structure: a diagram described in words, with an explanation of what goes in and out of each
- Tax set-aside rule: a formula with two scenarios (basic and higher rate taxpayer)
- Monthly review: a 20-minute checklist in order
- Invoicing essentials: a brief list of required elements and one payment acceleration tip
- Accountant decision point: one paragraph with a specific threshold
- Tone: practical and clear, assumes no financial background
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