Search
Close this search box.
Blog » Business Tips » Your Invoicing System or Mine? Dealing with Client Billing Requirements

Your Invoicing System or Mine? Dealing with Client Billing Requirements

For many business owners and freelancers, billing is a mundane process. Fortunately, technology has made it easier to create, send, and track invoices with minimal effort. This means entrepreneurs can set up the process and move on to running other aspects of their businesses.

Unfortunately, as a business grows, professionals usually find that the system they have in place is not a one-size-fits-all solution. To work with some of the bigger clients, entrepreneurs usually find they have to work with a system those businesses already have in place. This may mean signing up for a special payment service, waiting ten days for a check to arrive in the mail, or invoicing on a specific date, following a long list of rules for what the invoice should contain.

When this happens, it can throw off an entrepreneur’s well-crafted system. Here are a few tips for dealing with clients whose billing requirements are different from your own.

Track All Invoices

Even if your invoice isn’t sent from your billing system, you should enter the invoice and track it. This will help when you’re pulling reports about your cash flow, giving you solid numbers that you can use to make decisions. Another benefit of this type of tracking is that when a question comes up later, you’ll be able to trace the invoice back using the great system you’ve put in place.

Negotiate

In some instances, you may be able to discuss invoicing options with your client. Mention that you have a great system in place and ask if it would be possible for you to send the invoice through that system. If this is one of your top clients, however, you may find that the extra work this client creates is well worth it, especially if the pay is both reliable and generous.

Set Up Remote Check Capture

You’ll likely find that there are some businesses that still pay solely by check. This is often true of some of the largest businesses, which also happen to be provide some of the most lucrative opportunities. To avoid the frustration of rushing to the bank on a regular basis, set up remote check capture through your mobile device and deposit your checks remotely. Once the deposit has been verified, you’ll also be able to get rid of the paper copy of the check, since you’ll have an electronic record of it.

Keep a Calendar

Tracking multiple invoicing procedures can be complicated, since each client will request you bill on a different schedule. Keep a calendar that details what you need to do for each day and check that calendar every day. Set a specific time aside every day to handle your billing functions, even if it only takes a few minutes.

Outsource Billing

One way to keep up with everything efficiently is through the use of an on-site or virtual assistant. This person can set up a payment schedule for you and manage invoicing each of your clients based on your specifications. You may need to set up a document that details how each of your clients prefers to be paid and let your assistant take it from there. Whenever you bring on a new client, your assistant can then add that client to the procedures.

Invoicing can be a complicated process but automation can make it easier. When the tools you’ve put in place don’t work for one of your clients, it’s still important to log each payment as it comes in and each invoice as it goes out. This will allow you to run the reports you need to gain insight into your cash flow.

About Due’s Editorial Process

We uphold a strict editorial policy that focuses on factual accuracy, relevance, and impartiality. Our content, created by leading finance and industry experts, is reviewed by a team of seasoned editors to ensure compliance with the highest standards in reporting and publishing.

TAGS
Business Writer
I’m Max and I love helping businesses we work with to expand their businesses online. I help with invoicing, time tracking and overall business needs for business owners. If you need help contact me today.

About Due

Due makes it easier to retire on your terms. We give you a realistic view on exactly where you’re at financially so when you retire you know how much money you’ll get each month. Get started today.

Categories

Top Trending Posts

Due Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

To ensure we’re putting out the highest content standards, we sought out the help of certified financial experts and accredited individuals to verify our advice. We also rely on them for the most up to date information and data to make sure our in-depth research has the facts right, for today… Not yesterday. Our financial expert review board allows our readers to not only trust the information they are reading but to act on it as well. Most of our authors are CFP (Certified Financial Planners) or CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) certified and all have college degrees. Learn more about annuities, retirement advice and take the correct steps towards financial freedom and knowing exactly where you stand today. Learn everything about our top-notch financial expert reviews below… Learn More