Why Freelance Creatives and Digital Businesses should use Xero or FreeAgent for their Bookkeeping

Let’s set the scene

Running your own creative or digital business is exciting — you get to focus on your projects, your clients, and the work you love. But let’s be honest: keeping on top of the finances is often the last thing you want to deal with. That’s where smart cloud accounting software like Xero or FreeAgent can make all the difference.

At CORNEL Accountants, we work with lots of freelancers, designers, developers, and digital entrepreneurs, and we’ve seen how the right tools can take the stress out of bookkeeping.

Stay on top of your finances, anywhere

Whether you’re working from home, a co-working space, or even a coffee shop, cloud accounting lets you log in and check your numbers on the go. Both Xero and FreeAgent have easy-to-use apps, so you can raise invoices, snap expense receipts, or check cashflow in real time.

Get paid faster

Late payments are a headache no freelancer needs. With Xero or FreeAgent, you can send professional invoices with built-in payment links (like PayPal or Stripe). That means your clients can pay you in just a couple of clicks — and you’ll see the money in your account sooner.

Track expenses without the shoebox

Gone are the days of keeping receipts in a drawer. With cloud software, you just snap a photo and the expense is stored instantly. This makes tax time much easier, and you’ll always know which costs you can claim back.

Keep HMRC happy

Both Xero and FreeAgent are Making Tax Digital compliant, which means you’re ready for HMRC’s requirements. VAT submissions, self-assessment tax returns, and record-keeping are all handled neatly inside the system — no more worrying about missing deadlines.

Focus on creativity, not spreadsheets

Your time is precious. By automating the boring bits — like bank feeds, invoice reminders, and tax calculations — you free up more headspace to do the creative work you enjoy.

Which one should you choose?

We get asked this a lot!

– Xero is great if you want scalability — perfect if your freelance business is growing or you might take on a team later.

– FreeAgent is fantastic for freelancers and small creative businesses, especially as it’s super user-friendly and built with contractors in mind.

At the end of the day, both give you clarity, confidence, and control over your finances.

Ready to make bookkeeping simple?

If you’re a freelancer or digital business owner and want stress-free accounts, we can help you get set up with the right software. At CORNEL Accountants, we’ll guide you through the whole process and make sure everything is tailored to your business.

If you prefer to save even more time, you can include us handling all your bookkeeping for you as part of a fixed pay-monthly package for all your accounting needs.

We’re ready when you are.

👉 Get in touch with us today to find out whether Xero or FreeAgent is right for you.