28 daily lessons
One short lesson a day, in Taglish, written the way I’d explain it over coffee. Start at Day 1 — or jump to the day your business needs most.
Freelancer Finance Starter Kit
Get your freelance finances out of your head — and into one clear workbook. Track income, organize expenses, follow invoices, and review your month at a glance. Enter your details and the Excel download begins automatically.
Free PDF guides
Freelancer Bookkeeping Checklist
Your 13-point monthly routine. Print it, pin it, never miss a step.
Download free PDF ⭳GST/HST Cheat Sheet
Every 2026 rate, threshold, and deadline on two pages.
Download free PDF ⭳Sole Proprietor vs Corporation
Which one are you? Find out in 5 minutes.
Download free PDF ⭳Daily lessons — week one
What Bookkeeping Actually Is
Bookkeeping isn't scary math — it's just writing down what came in and what went out, consistently. If you can track who owes you $50, you already understand the whole game.
The Receipt Shoebox Must Die
That drawer of crumpled receipts isn't a filing system — it's a cry for help. Snap a photo of every receipt the day you get it.
Separate Business & Personal Money
One account for groceries and client payments is like one drawer for socks and spoons — technically possible, deeply regrettable.
The 25% Tax Rule
Every time client money lands, move 25–30% to a separate savings account and pretend it doesn't exist. Future-you says thanks.
Invoices Are Promises
An invoice isn't income until it's paid. Track what's sent, what's overdue, and follow up like rent is due — because it is.
Know Your Numbers Weekly
Ten minutes every Friday reviewing money in vs money out beats ten panicked hours every April.
Ask for Help Early
A bookkeeper fixing small messes monthly costs far less than one untangling a year's chaos. No shame in the game.
Daily lessons — week two (Taglish)
Ang Bookkeeping, Parang Talaan ng Utang Lang
Kung kaya mong ilista ang utang ni kapitbahay sa notebook mo, kaya mo na rin ang bookkeeping. Same skill — mas malaking pera nga lang.
Resibo Mo, Ebidensya Mo
Ang resibo ay hindi basura — it's proof! Kapag nawala ang resibo, parang hindi nangyari ang gastos mo. Picturan mo agad, huwag nang patagalin.
Hiwalay ang Pera, Hiwalay ang Gulo
Huwag mong ihalo ang pera ng sari-sari store sa pambili ng ulam — magkaibang mundo yan! Isang GCash for business, isang GCash for personal.
Magtabi Para kay BIR
Bawat kita mo, magtabi ka ng pang-tax — 25% safe na diyan. Mas masakit ang penalty ni BIR kaysa sa pagtitipid mo ngayon.
Ang Invoice ay Pangako, Hindi Kita
Nagpadala ka ng invoice? Hindi pa yan pera — pangako pa lang yan. I-follow up mo, kasi hindi magbabayad ang client sa pangako lang.
Linggo-Linggong Silip sa Pera
Sampung minuto kada Linggo — silipin ang pumasok at lumabas na pera. Mas madali yan kaysa sa isang gabing puyatan tuwing tax season.
Humingi ng Tulong, Walang Hiya-Hiya
Mas mura ang bookkeeper na nag-aayos ng maliliit na gulo buwan-buwan kaysa sa naglilinis ng isang taong kalat. Walang nakakahiya sa paghingi ng tulong.
Daily lessons — week three
Your Chart of Accounts: The Filing Cabinet
A chart of accounts is just labeled folders for your money — every dollar has a home. No folder, no tracking, no clue where it went.
Debits vs Credits, Finally Simple
Debits increase assets and expenses; credits increase liabilities, equity, and income. Two sides, one rule — and your books must always balance.
Reconcile Your Bank, Sleep Better
Bank reconciliation is matching your records to your bank statement, line by line. If they don't match, something's hiding — find it before it finds you.
Receivables and Payables: Who Owes Whom
Accounts receivable is money clients owe you; accounts payable is money you owe suppliers. Track both — or cash surprises will track you down.
Financial Statements: Your Business Report Card
Three reports tell your whole story: the income statement (did we profit?), the balance sheet (what do we own and owe?), and cash flow (where did the money go?).
Profit Is Not Cash
You can be profitable on paper and still broke — if clients pay late while your bills come due now. Profit is a score; cash is oxygen.
Year-End: Close the Books, Open Fresh
Year-end means reviewing everything, fixing errors, and carrying clean balances forward. Future-you deserves a fresh, honest start.
Daily lessons — week four (Taglish)
Chart of Accounts: Ang Filing Cabinet ng Pera Mo
Parang mga labeled na folder lang yan — bawat piso, may bahay. Walang folder, walang tracking, walang alam kung saan napunta.
Debit vs Credit, Simple Lang Pala
Ang debit, pataas ng asset at gastos; ang credit, pataas ng utang, puhunan, at kita. Dalawang panig, isang batas — dapat laging balanse.
I-Reconcile ang Banko, Para Mahimbing ang Tulog
Ihambing mo ang talaan mo sa bank statement, isa-isa. Kapag hindi nagtugma, may nagtatago — hanapin mo bago ka pa hanapan.
Sino ang May Utang Kanino
Ang receivable ay perang dapat bayaran sa'yo ng client; ang payable ay perang dapat mong bayaran sa supplier. Bantayan pareho, o mabibigla ka sa cash.
Financial Statements: Ang Report Card ng Business Mo
Tatlong ulat ang buong kwento: income statement (kumita ba?), balance sheet (ano ang ari-arian at utang?), at cash flow (saan napunta ang pera?).
May Kita sa Papel, Pero Walang Pera?
Pwedeng kumita ka on paper pero broke ka pa rin — kapag late magbayad ang client pero ang bills mo, due na. Ang profit ay score; ang cash ay oxygen.
Year-End: Isara ang Libro, Bagong Simula
Sa year-end, repasuhin ang lahat, ayusin ang mali, at dalhin ang malinis na balanse sa bagong taon. Deserve mo ang fresh at tapat na simula.
New lessons are also posted daily on our JCO Business Academy Facebook page.
A question about your books?
Ask JCO — the free guide on our home page sorts out deadlines, expenses, sales tax, payroll, and setting up your books, one step at a time.