This Excel spreadsheet is designed to help counsellors considering starting a private practice with business planning.
What’s in the spreadsheet:
The spreadsheet contains the following sections:
Start Here: how to use it, a colour key and a disclaimer.
1. Fee Calculator: about 60 counsellor-specific cost lines in eight groups. Set-up costs are kept separate, and you choose how many years to spread them over. Working time is based on leave, public holidays, sick and OPD days, sessions per week and a cancellation/no-show allowance. It gives a break-even fee, a recommended minimum fee with a buffer, a GST switch, and a “test my planned fee” check.
2. Monthly Cash Flow: July to June, with a running cash position. It has a “Fix” check, like your original, that flags any line where the months don’t add up to the yearly figure.
3. Five-Year Forecast: for cost increases and caseload changes.
4. Service Mix Check: individual, online, couples, EAP, supervision and workshops, plus a check that the mix doesn’t exceed the weekly caseload you planned.
Notes & Sources: GST, Super Guarantee, super for sole traders, Blue Card, Queensland public holidays, supervision and OPD, and EAP payment terms. Each note links to an official source.
Important
This workbook is general information to support planning; it is not financial, tax or legal advice. Please check your figures with your accountant.