How to Create and Manage Invoices
Invoices are essential documents for your business transactions. Ledgerflow makes it easy to create professional invoices, track payments, and maintain accurate financial records.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Invoices
Follow these steps to create your first invoice in Ledgerflow:
-
Navigate to the Sales tab on the left sidebar menu.
-
Click the New Invoice button in the top right corner of the screen.
-
Complete the following sections to create your invoice:
Invoice Header Information
- Invoice Number: Automatically generated if auto-numbering is enabled, or enter manually
- Invoice Date: The date the invoice is created (defaults to today)
- Due Date: When payment is expected (set based on your payment terms)
- Customer: Select an existing customer from the dropdown or add a new one
- You can search for customers by typing in the search field
- Click "Add New Customer" to create a customer on the fly if needed
Adding Products and Services
- Click Add Item to include products or services from your inventory
- For each item, specify:
- Product/Service: Select from your inventory (searchable)
- Quantity: Number of units
- Rate: Unit price (pre-filled from your inventory but can be adjusted)
- Amount: Automatically calculated (Quantity × Rate)
- Tax: Select applicable tax rate if tax is enabled
- The system automatically calculates:
- Item amount (Quantity × Rate)
- Tax amount (if applicable)
- Net amount (Amount + Tax)
- Add as many items as needed by clicking the "+" button
Payment Information
- Cash Sale: Toggle this option for immediate payment
- Payment Methods:
- Select payment account (Cash, Bank, etc.)
- Enter payment amount
- Add multiple payment methods if needed
- The system shows the balance amount if partial payment is made
Additional Information
- Notes: Add any special instructions or terms for your customer
- Commission: Available for specific industries like Tours & Travels
-
Review the invoice summary showing:
- Bill Amount (subtotal before tax)
- Tax breakdown (SGST/CGST for Indian businesses, VAT for UAE, etc.)
- Net Amount (total including tax)
-
Click Save Invoice to create the invoice.
Invoice Customization Options
Ledgerflow offers several customization options for your invoices:
- Auto-numbering: Enable automatic sequential invoice numbering
- Tax Handling:
- Enable or disable tax calculations
- Support for different tax structures (GST for India, VAT for UAE, etc.)
- Multiple Payment Methods: Record payments through different accounts
- Notes and Terms: Add custom notes and payment terms
Managing Invoices
After creating invoices, you can manage them from the Sales dashboard:
- View: See all invoice details including payment status
- Edit: Make changes to draft or sent invoices
- Print/Download: Generate PDF versions for sharing or printing
- Record Payments: Update payment status as you receive funds
- Track Status: Monitor which invoices are paid, unpaid, or overdue
Printing and Sharing Invoices
Ledgerflow provides multiple options for sharing invoices with customers:
- Print: Generate a printer-friendly version
- Supports thermal printers for point-of-sale environments
- Configure automatic printing after saving invoices
- Download PDF: Save invoices as PDF files for manual sharing
Industry-Specific Features
Ledgerflow adapts to different industry needs:
- Tours & Travels: Additional commission tracking
- Retail: Support for cash sales and point-of-sale workflows
- Service Businesses: Simplified service-based invoicing
- Regional Tax Compliance:
- India: SGST/CGST/IGST handling based on customer location
- UAE: VAT compliance
- Other regions: Customizable tax structures
Best Practices for Professional Invoicing
- Use clear, descriptive item names that your customers will understand
- Include your payment terms and accepted payment methods on every invoice
- Set reasonable due dates based on industry standards and client relationships
- Follow up promptly on overdue invoices
- Keep a consistent numbering system for easy reference
- Include your business logo and contact information for a professional appearance
Coming Soon Features
The following features are planned for future releases and are not currently available in Ledgerflow:
- Recurring Invoices: Set up automatic invoice generation for regular clients
- Payment Reminders: Automated reminders for upcoming and overdue invoices
- Online Payments: Allow customers to pay invoices directly through Ledgerflow
- Multi-Currency Support: Create invoices in different currencies