In this episode of The Acting Coach Network podcast, I sit down with accountant and business owner Sam Cantrell, the woman behind In for a Penny Accountancy Services and the hugely popular Accounting for the Arts community. Sam has become the go to financial guide for creative entrepreneurs, theatre school owners and performing arts organisations who want clarity and confidence around their accounts, tax responsibilities and systems.

Together, we explore the realities of managing money in a creative industry. Why so many performing arts professionals avoid looking at their numbers, how to finally get organised without overwhelm and why knowing your figures is one of the most empowering things you can do as a business owner.

Sam also breaks down the topics that so many creative business owners find confusing. From bookkeeping and accounting software to VAT, turnover thresholds and the upcoming Making Tax Digital changes. She shares what every theatre school, dance school and acting coach needs to know, plus practical steps to get ahead before new rules come into force.

Expect clear explanations, supportive advice and a completely judgement free approach. Sam is known for her friendly expertise and her ability to make even the scariest financial tasks feel achievable.

Inside this episode you will learn:

• The real reason so many creatives avoid their finances

• Why knowing your numbers is a genuine superpower for growth

• How Accounting for the Arts began and why Sam is so passionate about supporting this niche

• The biggest misconceptions about tax returns and bookkeeping

• What Making Tax Digital will mean for your business and what to do now

• When VAT applies to theatre schools and how the private tuition exemption works

• Why putting VAT onto your fees is essential for business sustainability

• The accounting software Sam recommends for creative business owners

• How to build financial systems that support both your creativity and your business

• What to do if your accountant does not understand the performing arts world

• The one thing Sam wishes every theatre school owner knew about bookkeeping

Whether you run a theatre school, coach privately or work across multiple creative income streams, this episode will help you feel more confident, more informed and far less alone when it comes to your finances.

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