3 Tips To Create A Professional And Accurate Invoice

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When it comes to your business, you need to make a good impression. One way to do this is through the invoices that you send. These invoices need to be designed well, professional and extremely accurate. You want to ensure that the customer notices them and pays them quickly. Here are a few tips to ensure that your invoices are created professionally and accurately:

Make Sure the Numbers Are Spot on

The most important part of an invoice is the numbers – in other words, the request for payment. The numbers on the invoice must be absolutely accurate every single time no matter what. If the amount of money that you request from your customers are inaccurate when you send out invoices, your customers are going to think one of two things: 1) that you are dishonest or 2) that you are incompetent. You don't want to have to deal with the backlash of either of these, as neither of them are good for your business.

Therefore, your numbers must be spot on every time. To help ensure this is true, make sure that your product sales and employee hours are accurately tracked and that your POS and time-tracking software directly connects to your accounting software. Also, make sure that you invoice regularly rather than waiting too long in between invoices, as memories (yours and the customers') can fade.

Decide How to Deliver Your Invoices

Although some customers and companies will still prefer to receive a physical paper copy of an invoice, there will be some that will prefer a modern digital copy, since it is faster and easier. Make sure that you ask them ahead of time how they would like their invoices to be delivered, and make it clear upfront how you would prefer to send them. Electronic invoices will save you time, since it can done directly from within your software. Plus, it will save you money on printer consumables, paper, envelopes, and postage. You can even set it up so that you receive notification the moment that the recipient opens the e-mail with the invoice.  

Send Your Invoices Often

Although it was already briefly mentioned to invoice regularly, it is worth mentioning again. Sending out invoices frequently is something that should become second nature to you, as it is a central part of your business. Your business's cashflow significantly depends on the overall efficiency of your invoicing. So, if you fail to do it on a regular and frequent basis, you are not only wasting valuable time, but you are also potentially losing money.

With that being said, it is a good rule of thumb to simply get into the habit of sending invoices the moment that a sale is made or that a product or project is completed. With quality accounting software, this process can be automated for you, which saves you both time as well as money. Remember, this promptness on your end will help your customers keep their own financial records in order.

If you think that this is all too much for you, even with accounting software, you can always reach out to a professional bookkeeper and have them handle it all for you.

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8 August 2016

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I have always dreamed of opening my own beauty salon, but never seemed to have the money to make that dream come true. I decided that it was time for me to hire an accountant to help me create a savings plan and to assist me in calculating how much money I would need to open my salon. I found out all about what it takes to start a business and a lot of great advice about what I can do to save the money I need to make it happen. If owning your own business is something you are dreaming of, my blog can help.