Money Basics for Online Business

Categories: Plan

About Course

Understand your numbers without being an accountant: set prices that make a profit, plan your cash flow, keep simple books, know the basics of VAT for online sales and work well with your accountant.

This is a self-study module: six short written lessons you can take at your own pace, a workbook with calculators and templates, a 10-question quiz and a certificate of completion.

This course is general education about business finances. Rules differ by country: for your own situation, check with a qualified accountant.

Course Content

Before you start
Welcome to the module. Download your workbook and see how the six lessons work.

  • Welcome & your course workbook

Lesson 1 — Pricing and margins
Fixed and variable costs, gross margin, setting a price that pays you, and what discounts really cost.

Lesson 2 — Cash flow
The difference between profit and cash, a 12-week cash-flow sheet, payment terms and a safety buffer.

Lesson 3 — Simple bookkeeping
Separating business money, recording income and expenses, invoices and receipts, and a monthly close in 30 minutes.

Lesson 4 — VAT basics for selling online in the EU
When VAT applies, selling to businesses vs consumers, the One-Stop Shop (OSS) for sales to other EU countries, and what to ask your accountant.

Lesson 5 — Key numbers to watch
Revenue, costs, margin, customer acquisition cost, average order value, conversion rate and a one-page monthly dashboard.

Lesson 6 — Working with an accountant
What an accountant needs from you, a monthly hand-over pack, good questions to ask, and avoiding year-end surprises.

Quiz & certificate
Take the 10-question final quiz. When you pass, you can complete the course and receive your certificate of completion.