Two hours moving freelance MUAs from tax paralysis to operational confidence. Co-hosted with Lorna Thibodeau (Primetime Emmy-Nominated Makeup Artist), translating CPA logic into film-set reality.
The Foundations
Accounting reduces to one habit: track what moves. Google Sheets. A folder of receipts. The tool matters less than the consistency. Clean as you go—it’s maintenance, not a year-end disaster.
Under $30k revenue? You don’t need to charge HST. You don’t need to incorporate. Sole proprietorship keeps costs low while you build.
The Reframes
The CRA isn’t the adversary most creatives imagine. The helpline answers specific questions. It’s a free, documented business resource—use it.
And if your calendar is full but your finances are tight, that’s not a market problem. That’s a pricing problem.
The Boundaries
Deposits. Clear scope. Written agreements. Professional boundaries aren’t rude—they’re how you stay in business and avoid the check-cashing scams that plague the industry.
The Specifics
Union dues (IATSE/NABET). Kit rentals versus labor. Client meals. Facebook Marketplace receipts. The niche questions that generic accounting advice never touches.