Create an Invoice Online Instantly!

The invoice informs your client of the amount they must pay you as well as the payment terms they must adhere to. Sometimes, vendors refer to it as a “sales invoice.”

If you’re selling to a company, the invoiced amount is recorded as money that will be deducted from their account as accounts payable. It becomes a part of your accounts receivable revenue that goes into your account for bookkeeping purposes.

Uses for invoices

Keeping track of Records

The capacity to maintain a legal record of the sale is the main advantage of an invoice. This makes it easy to learn who purchased, sold, and when good was sold.

payment monitoring

An invoice is a crucial piece of accounting equipment. Keeping track of payments and balances outstanding benefits both the vendor and the customer.

Legal protection

Legal evidence of a pricing agreement between the customer and seller can be found in a proper invoice. It shields the retailer from false lawsuits.

simple tax filing

The company may more accurately record its income and make sure the right amount of taxes are paid by keeping track of every sale invoice.

Business analytics

Businesses can uncover trends, popular items, peak purchase periods, and more by analyzing invoice data to learn more about their customers’ purchasing habits. This aids in creating marketing plans that work.

Types of invoices

• Pro forma Invoices 
• Commercial Invoice 
• Credit notes 
• Timesheet Invoice  
• Retainer Invoices 
• Recurring Invoices

Elements of an Invoice?

These are the components that a bill needs to include. You can edit templates in SmartDraw or create your own from the start.

• “Invoice” word
• An invoice number is a special identification number.
• the dates when the products were sold or the services were performed, and the date of the invoice
• Include the date ranges in question if the invoice is for work completed over a specified billing period.
• Contact details for the vendor: logo, business name, address, and phone
• a tax identification number and business registration of the vendor
• the buyer’s name and contact information
• Describe the products or services provided.
• If applicable, the unit cost of the products you bought
• It may also, if applicable, provide shipping charges and the shipping method.
• VAT, taxes, and other charges
• if any discounts
• total due
• The due date for payment: this can be stated as X days following receipt of the invoice, which is typically 30 days.

How can I create an invoice?

An invoice can be created in one of three ways.

Utilize a template

With this approach, each time you send an invoice, you can utilize a software template in Microsoft Word or Excel, for instance. 

These templates are simple to use and have a professional appearance. 

The invoice can either be printed and sent physically or attached to an email. Below are numerous free templates.

Employ accounting software

You may fill up an invoice template in many different types of accounting software. Some apps also let you email the invoice immediately from the app, which further speeds up the process.

Only if you already utilize the same software for your regular accounting requirements does this strategy make sense. If not, using an invoicing program like FreshBooks would be a better option.

Complete an invoice on paper

Some business owners wish to eliminate computers from the equation entirely. 

A paper invoice form is always available for completion. You can purchase these in pads from the majority of big office supply outlets.