Free tools, templates and worksheets for start-ups

We compiled a bunch over 100 websites that offer free accounting tools and resources to keep your start-up company smoking. Our directory includes tools, free ebooks, finance templates, checklists, business forms, white papers, lists, free PDF files and worksheets.

Business toolkits

Business Owner’s Toolkit

Library of useful templates and forms to help run your company’s accounting and HR department. Includes links to business finance and popular templates like cash flow budget worksheets, balance sheet templates and income statement templates. Website

Tools from Inc.com

100 free small business tools that include such categories as doing business online, financial management, finding capital, hiring and recruiting, managing employees, marketing and more. Website

SME Toolkit

This collection of free small business tools and resources consists of free training, calculators, small business forms and how-to articles. Topics range from accounting, franchising, payroll, insurance, marketing and technology. Website
 

FormNet by Entrepreneur.com

Free business form templates and documents available in Microsoft Word, Excel or Adobe pdf. Categories include accounting, credit and collections, insurance, inventory, human resources, leasing, marketing, management, sales, shipping and starting your own small business. Website
 

Steelcast Startup Toolkit A collection of gadgets, books and tips that aid in launching your startup business. Website
 

Startup Kit by Entrepreneur.com These helpful and thorough kits will help you discover the nitty-gritty day-to-day aspects of starting and running more than 20 different kinds of businesses. Website
 

Business Plan Toolkit by the Commonwealth Bank A business plan gives you a clear vision of your business, what you want to achieve and importantly, how you’re going to do this. It’s vital when you’re setting up your business and approaching the bank for start-up support. Website
 

Sustainable Business Toolkit A paid, detailed instructional manual with practical exercises which take you through a step-by-step do it yourself process to setting up an environmental management system. Win and retain business, Reduce operating costs, Inspire and motivate staff. Website
 

Yell Business Toolkit A collection of useful marketing aids, helpful tips and practical advice to help you engage with customers and successfully promote your business. And it’s completely free. Website
 

Professional documents by Docstoc Search and share free small business forms, templates and documents. Samples of small business plans, market research and business contracts are available to download free of charge. Categories include arts, fashion, educational, technology, finance, legal, real estate and more. Website
 

HP Creative Studio Hewlett-Packard has compiled an extensive collection of business tools and business marketing materials. There are lots of free designs, document and signage templates, presentation materials, business forms, website and blog templates and more. Website
 

Free business calculators by Bplan.com Nine different business calculators, including cash flow, investment offering, starting costs, email marketing ROI, discounted cash flow, direct mail ROI, break even, pay per click ROI and a conversion rate calculator. Website

Business templates

Free spreadsheet library Hundreds of Excel spreadsheets covering financial, accounting and sales functions at different skill levels. Website
 

Free small business letters and forms Unlimited access to printable invoice forms, receipts, debt collection letters, contracts, legal forms and more. There is also a section of reports, e-books, and employment information available for download. Website
 

Free tools and forms Winmark Business Solutions provides access to useful free small business tools such as business plans, official government forms, financial spreadsheets, checklists, legal forms and business templates. Website

Startup directory lists

HBS Startup Tribe Tools List Website
 

NYU Startup Resources Library Frameworks & Methodologies, Articles & Templates, Angel Groups, Alternative Funding Resources, legal documents, meetups and incubators. Website
 

PBworks startup tools List Website
 

Startup Weekend tools list Website
 

Y Combinator Startup Library Website
 

Startup Foundry tools list Website
 

101 small business cloud-based apps

From sales to legal to productivity tools, we can attest that the small business technology is alive, kicking and doing extremely well in 2011. Website
 

Small Business CEO Ebooks, business templates, checklists, business forms, white papers, free pdf files, and worksheets. Website
 

Market research list Website

Government guides

Free Small Business Guides and Government Forms

Business.gov is your gateway to official U.S. Government federal forms and business guides. Topics covered range from taxes, loans and market research. Website
 

British Columbia Technology Industry Association’s Startup Toolkit

British Columbia Technology Industry Association’s nuts and bolts of launching a tech startup. Three easy stages and be on your way to entrepreurial success. Idea valuation, company setup and market valuation. Website
 

NSW Government Small Business Tool Kit

Find information and interactive tools you need to start, run and grow your business. Start a business, run a business, grow, market and manage a business. Website
 

SPRING Singapore’s i-marketer toolkit

The SME Marketing Toolkit is jointly developed by SPRING Singapore and Marketing Institute of Singapore to help SMEs develop marketing plans and learn DIY techniques. Website

eBooks, guides and courses

The Edge of Success: 9 Building Blocks to Double Your Sales Systemise and simplify your business operations while doubling your sales with the 9 proven techniques revealed within this free copy of the downloadable book. Website
 

Free business and entrepreneurship courses 100 business and entrepreneurship courses that are free to attend. Courses include accounting and finance, economics, communication, management, leadership, marketing and advertising, product development and launch, technology and law. Website
 

Free Small Business eBooks A simple, free registration will give you access to nearly 200 free small business ebooks. Topics include maximising conversion rates, getting website traffic, internet marketing, increasing profits and improving customer satisfaction. Website
 

Free Trade Magazines Anita Campbell, Founder of Small Business Trends, offers an extensive list of free small business magazine subscriptions, eGuides, downloads, podcasts and white papers. Website
 

Free eBooks, guides, manuals and legal documents Publish and share your small business documents FREE at Scribd. You can upload and store your business documents or explore their extensive library of available free tools and resources. Website
 

Free quick reference training guides CustomGuide offers free downloadable quick reference computer training guides. These free pdf files are downloadable and printable for your office needs. Website
 

Free SEO guide HubSpot’s SEO guide yields a dozen things you can do to increase the attractiveness of your site to search engines and thus boost your traffic. Website

News and blogs

The Startup Toolkit Created by Rob Fitzpatrick, The Startup Toolkit is a web-based collaboration tool, where founders can write, revise, and share their business plans and ideas. Website
 

Startup report Website
 

SG Entrepreneurs toolkit Website
 

Forbes Small Business Toolkit Opinions, thoughts and articles from the world’s authorities on entrepreneurship. Website
 

Steve Blank Website
Chris Anderson Website
John Battelle Website
David Cowan Website
Paul Graham Website
David Hornik Website
Guy Kawasaki Website
Paul Kedrosky Website
Tim O'Reilly Website
Joel Spolsky Website
Fred Wilson Website

Videos and podcasts

Start Uploaded

Start Uploaded is a video toolkit for startups and small businesses in London. Find the right business support, get advice from other entrepreneurs, learn more about local businesses in London, through our constantly updated videos. Website

Critical path

Critical Path is a talk show contemplating the causality of success and failure in mobile computing. Using Apple as a lens to look at both telecom and traditional computing markets, we try to understand what it means to be great. Hosted by Horace Dediu & Dan Benjamin. Website
 

Robert Scoble’s Channel

Known as a Twitter influencer and blogger in the entrepreneurial tech scene, Robert “Scobleizer” Scoble’s YouTube channel is loaded with candid interviews with some of today’s hottest startup pros. Website

Harvard Business Publishing

At over 17,000 subscribers, Harvard Business School’s YouTube channel produces regular “ideacasts” with a focus on “practical insights, tools and resources.” Website

Startup Daddy

Popular internet radio show started by Ian Gordon. Website
 

Stanford Business

Advance our understanding of management with ideas from insightful leaders who have changed the world. Website

Larry Walter

Accounting and finance principles. Website

Motion Training

Master the use of Excel and make the most of customising financials reports. Website