# Compass Finance

> Bookkeeping software for small business owners who want clear reports from a bank statement upload, without spreadsheets, ledgers, or an accountant. Built by Ali Bundally after keeping books by hand for 15 small businesses.

## Product
- [Compass Finance](https://compassfinance.pro/): What Compass does — upload a bank statement, get an owner report in about 10 minutes
- [About / founder](https://compassfinance.pro/about/): Ali Bundally, ex-bookkeeper, why Compass exists

## Resources — Tax & VAT
- [UAE VAT calculation](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/how-to-calculate-vat-for-uae-small-business/): Learn output VAT, input VAT, UAE VAT thresholds, and net VAT payable with practical small business examples
- [UAE corporate tax](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/corporate-tax-uae-small-business-9-percent/): UAE corporate tax guide for small businesses covering the 9% rate, AED 375,000 threshold, Small Business Relief, and owner recordkeeping
- [File a UAE VAT return](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/how-to-file-vat-return-uae/): Step-by-step guide to filing a UAE VAT return on the FTA portal, with the records you need, the filing screens, and the most common small business mistakes
- [Freelancer tax deductions](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelancer-tax-deductions-checklist/): A practical checklist of common freelancer tax deductions, why good records matter more than the list itself, and a year-round habit that keeps tax season manageable
- [Quarterly estimated taxes](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/quarterly-estimated-taxes-freelancer-guide/): Learn how quarterly estimated taxes work for freelancers, what records to keep, and how to avoid a last-minute scramble
- [UAE VAT calculator](https://compassfinance.pro/vat-calculator-uae/): Free 5% VAT add/remove tool with formulas

## Resources — Bookkeeping & Finance
- [Profit and loss statement](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/how-to-read-profit-and-loss-statement-uae/): A plain-language guide to reading a profit and loss statement for small business owners. No accounting degree needed
- [Bookkeeper cost Dubai](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/bookkeeper-cost-dubai-uae-alternative/): How much does a bookkeeper cost in Dubai? Part-time, full-time, and outsourced rates compared, plus a cheaper alternative for SMEs
- [Bookkeeper or software](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/do-you-need-bookkeeper-or-software/): When does a UAE small business need a bookkeeper versus software? A decision guide with three factors, four common scenarios, and an honest cost comparison
- [Bookkeeping for small business owners](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/bookkeeping-for-small-business-owners-guide/): A complete, plain-English guide to small business bookkeeping: what it is, why it matters, the core habits, common mistakes, and a step-by-step starting checklist
- [Categorizing business expenses](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/how-to-categorize-business-expenses/): Learn the most common business expense categories, why categorizing matters for spotting deductions, and a simple weekly system to keep your books organized
- [Best bookkeeping software](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/best-bookkeeping-software-for-small-business-owners/): A practical, jargon-free guide to choosing bookkeeping software: the main types available, what to look for, and a simple decision framework for small business owners
- [Shopify bookkeeping basics](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/shopify-bookkeeping-101-for-online-sellers/): A plain-English guide to Shopify and e-commerce bookkeeping: why payouts and fees complicate your numbers, the core habits to build, and common mistakes to avoid
- [What is AI bookkeeping](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/what-is-ai-bookkeeping/): Learn what AI bookkeeping means, how it categorizes transactions, where it saves time, and why human review still matters
- [Separate business and personal finances](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/separate-business-and-personal-finances/): Why small business owners should separate business and personal finances, what goes wrong when they do not, and a simple cleanup plan
- [QuickBooks alternatives](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/quickbooks-alternatives-2026/): Seven QuickBooks alternatives for small business owners in 2026, with plain-English guidance on when each type of tool makes sense
- [Reconcile Shopify Stripe PayPal payouts](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/reconcile-shopify-stripe-paypal-payouts/): A practical guide to reconciling Shopify, Stripe, and PayPal payouts for cleaner e-commerce bookkeeping
- [Bookkeeping for Etsy sellers](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/bookkeeping-for-etsy-sellers-guide/): A plain-English bookkeeping guide for Etsy sellers covering fees, payouts, inventory, COGS, taxes, reports, and tools
- [Etsy COGS tracking](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/etsy-cost-of-goods-sold-tracking/): Learn how Etsy sellers can track cost of goods sold, product costs, and materials so shop profit is clearer
- [Cash vs accrual for Etsy sellers](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/cash-vs-accrual-accounting-etsy-sellers/): Understand cash versus accrual accounting for Etsy sellers and how each method affects sales, expenses, inventory, and profit reports
- [Etsy fees and taxes tracking](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/etsy-seller-fees-and-taxes-tracking/): A monthly tracking guide for Etsy seller fees, taxes, refunds, ads, payment processing, and payouts
- [Best bookkeeping tools for Etsy sellers](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/best-bookkeeping-tools-for-etsy-sellers/): How Etsy sellers should compare bookkeeping tools for payouts, fees, inventory, COGS, taxes, reports, and ease of use
- [Best accounting software for small business](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/best-accounting-software-for-small-business/): A plain-English comparison of accounting software for small businesses in 2026: what the main tools do, what to look for, and how to choose without an accounting degree
- [QuickBooks vs Xero for small businesses](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/quickbooks-vs-xero-small-business/): A plain-English head-to-head comparison of QuickBooks vs. Xero for small businesses, with a clear decision guide by business type and situation
- [Best accounting software for freelancers](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/best-accounting-software-for-freelancers/): A practical guide to the best accounting software options for freelancers and self-employed professionals in 2026, with honest tradeoffs and a decision framework
- [Free accounting software for small businesses](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/free-accounting-software-for-small-business/): An honest breakdown of free accounting software options for small businesses in 2026 — what you get, what the catch is, and when to consider paying
- [Accounting software vs hiring a bookkeeper](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/accounting-software-vs-bookkeeper/): A clear guide to deciding between accounting software and a bookkeeper for your small business — what each covers, when to use both, and how to think about the cost
- [Freelance business finance guide](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-business-finance-guide/): A complete guide to freelance business finance in 2026: managing income, tracking expenses, invoicing clients, saving for taxes, and staying organized as a self-employed professional
- [Freelancer estimated taxes guide](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelancer-estimated-taxes-guide/): A plain-English guide to estimated taxes for freelancers and self-employed professionals: how they work, how to calculate what you owe, and how to pay on time
- [How to invoice as a freelancer](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/how-to-invoice-as-a-freelancer/): A complete guide to freelance invoicing: what to include on an invoice, how to set payment terms, how to follow up on late payments, and which tools work best
- [Freelancer business bank account](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelancer-business-bank-account/): A practical guide to whether freelancers need a separate business bank account, why it matters for taxes and bookkeeping, and how to choose the right one
- [How much freelancers should save for taxes](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/how-much-to-save-for-taxes-freelancer/): A practical guide to calculating how much freelancers should save for taxes, including self-employment tax, income tax, and how deductions affect the rate
- [What is a profit and loss statement](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/what-is-a-profit-and-loss-statement/): A plain-English explanation of what a profit and loss statement (P&L or income statement) is, what it shows, and how to read one as a small business owner
- [What is a balance sheet](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/what-is-a-balance-sheet/): A plain-English explanation of what a balance sheet is, what it shows small business owners, and how to read one without accounting expertise
- [What is cash flow](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/what-is-cash-flow/): A plain-English explanation of what cash flow is, how it differs from profit, and why managing cash flow matters for small business survival
- [Gross profit vs net profit](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/gross-profit-vs-net-profit/): A plain-English explanation of gross profit vs. net profit, what each number tells you about your business, and how to use both for better decisions
- [Accounts receivable and payable explained](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/accounts-receivable-and-payable-explained/): A clear, plain-English explanation of accounts receivable and accounts payable for small business owners, and why managing both matters for cash flow
- [Cash flow management for small businesses](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/cash-flow-management-small-business/): A complete guide to cash flow management for small businesses: tracking, forecasting, improving timing, and building the reserves that keep a business financially stable
- [Cash flow forecast for small businesses](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/cash-flow-forecast-small-business/): A practical guide to building a simple cash flow forecast for your small business, with a step-by-step approach and a template you can start with today
- [Profitable but no cash flow](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/profitable-but-no-cash-flow/): A plain-English explanation of why profitable small businesses run out of cash, with real examples and practical fixes for the most common causes
- [How to price services for profit](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/how-to-price-services-for-profit/): A practical guide to pricing services for small businesses and freelancers: how to calculate your cost floor, set a target rate, and avoid the most common pricing mistakes
- [What is working capital](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/what-is-working-capital/): A plain-English explanation of working capital for small businesses: what it is, how to calculate it, and practical steps to improve it
- [Freelance invoicing and cash flow guide](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-invoicing-cash-flow-guide/): A complete freelance invoicing and cash flow guide covering payment terms, deposits, retainers, late payments, scope creep, and invoice tracking
- [Freelance invoice payment terms](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-invoice-payment-terms/): A freelancer guide to invoice payment terms including due on receipt, Net 7, Net 14, and Net 30
- [Freelance deposit invoice guide](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-deposit-invoice-guide/): A freelancer guide to asking for deposits, choosing deposit percentages, and using deposits to protect cash flow
- [Milestone invoicing for freelancers](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-milestone-invoicing/): A guide to milestone invoicing for freelancers, including when to use it and how to structure project billing checkpoints
- [Freelance retainer invoicing](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-retainer-invoicing/): A freelancer guide to retainer invoicing, recurring billing, rollover rules, scope limits, and cash flow tracking
- [Freelance late payment follow-up](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-late-payment-follow-up/): A practical guide to freelancer late payment follow-up timing, wording, and invoice tracking
- [Scope creep and invoicing](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-scope-creep-invoice/): A freelancer guide to handling scope creep, change requests, extra work invoices, and project cash flow
- [Simple invoice tracking system](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-invoice-tracking-system/): A simple freelancer invoice tracking system for sent invoices, paid invoices, overdue invoices, and unbilled work
- [Unbilled work cash flow](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-unbilled-work-cash-flow/): A freelancer guide to finding and fixing unbilled work so completed projects turn into cash faster
- [Invoice numbering for freelancers](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/freelance-invoice-numbering/): A simple guide to invoice numbering for freelancers, including numbering formats and tracking tips
- [Price a project before scope is defined](https://compassfinance.pro/blog/price-project-before-scope-defined/): A freelancer guide to pricing projects when scope is unclear, using discovery, ranges, phases, and change requests

## Comparisons
- [Bookkeeping software UAE comparison](https://compassfinance.pro/bookkeeping-software-uae-comparison/): How to compare Compass with full accounting suites, bookkeepers, and spreadsheets
- [Compass vs Zoho Books](https://compassfinance.pro/compass-vs-zoho-books/): Head-to-head comparison for Zoho Books
- [Compass vs Xero](https://compassfinance.pro/compass-vs-xero/): Head-to-head comparison for Xero
- [Compass vs Wafeq](https://compassfinance.pro/compass-vs-wafeq/): Head-to-head comparison for Wafeq

## Bank statement upload guides
- [All bank upload guides](https://compassfinance.pro/bank-statement-upload-guides/): Index of guides for UAE and global banks
- [Upload Wio statement to Compass](https://compassfinance.pro/upload-wio-statement/): Export and upload guide for Wio
- [Upload Emirates NBD statement to Compass](https://compassfinance.pro/upload-enbd-statement/): Export and upload guide for Emirates NBD
- [Upload FAB statement to Compass](https://compassfinance.pro/upload-fab-statement/): Export and upload guide for FAB
- [Upload Mashreq statement to Compass](https://compassfinance.pro/upload-mashreq-statement/): Export and upload guide for Mashreq
- [Upload ADCB statement to Compass](https://compassfinance.pro/upload-adcb-statement/): Export and upload guide for ADCB
- [Upload RAKBANK statement to Compass](https://compassfinance.pro/upload-rakbank-statement/): Export and upload guide for RAKBANK
- [Upload HSBC statement to Compass](https://compassfinance.pro/upload-hsbc-statement/): Export and upload guide for HSBC

## Optional
- [Privacy policy](https://app.compassfinance.pro/PrivacyPolicy)
- [Terms of service](https://app.compassfinance.pro/TermsAndConditions)