Alternatively, apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, Sheets, etc., work just as well. A statement is issued at regular intervals, like quarterly, monthly, bimonthly standard chart of accounts or as requested by the customer. Several other differences between a statement vs. an invoice exist as well, such as the timings, details and payment terms.

  • Invoices are given to customers who do not immediately pay for the services or the products.
  • An invoice forces action and is issued to collect payment from another party for the mentioned transaction.
  • Invoices are typically generated before or after the delivery of goods or completion of services.
  • You may find that your accounting software provider offers billing statement templates that allow you to automatically build statements, saving a lot of time and effort.
  • Whatever may be the case is, the time of invoicing is priorly agreed in the contract at the time of closing the deal.
  • In summary, the statement date marks the end of a billing period and summarizes multiple transactions.

These periodic statements are generated at predetermined times and contain all transactions (refunds and payments) between the previous statement period and the current statement date. A customer’s or client’s statement is a snapshot in time that reflects the financial status of their account at that moment. In most cases, the purpose of a statement is to explain some aspect of a transaction or to bring attention to a future payment. You may send statements out on a regular basis, unlike invoices, which will be sent immediately when a project is complete and you require payment from the customer. If you’re a small business owner, your bookkeeping staff has sent and received both types of documents many times, but perhaps never really considered the difference between them.

What’s the purpose of making statements for client work?

When generating customer or client statements, you can include the outstanding balance or all transactions for that period. Some clients want to examine every purchase made within the statement cycle, so they can verify the numbers on their receipts against what you have on file. Now that we have a clear idea about several key differences between invoices and statements, let’s discuss how both documents are similar. The invoice is usually sent to the customer immediately or shortly after the transaction and serves as a formal request for payment. The customer is expected to pay the amount specified on the invoice within a specific timeframe.

  • An invoice is a request for payment while a receipt acknowledges that payment has been made.
  • Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s go ahead and discuss the benefits and of sending (and consequences of not sending) invoices and statements to customer accounts.
  • When customers receive an invoice means that the service provider has completed the work and expecting payment.
  • By using statements and invoices appropriately, businesses can ensure transparency, accountability, and financial success.

The exporter should create this document only once the goods are ready to ship. These commercial invoices are used by government officials to control the sale of goods across international borders and levy appropriate customs duties. Most small firms just starting with accounting often mix invoices and statements because of their similarities. When a client receives an invoice, it implies that the service provider has finished their part and is now seeking payment. A typical invoice includes the details of the goods or services provided in the specific transaction.

Knowing which one to send and when makes receiving payments much more straightforward. So, if you are looking for creating professional invoices to get paid faster, all you have to do is start using InvoiceOwl that is a leading invoicing software. The software allows creating FREE invoices with a personalized touch. The difference between the statement date and the invoice date lies in their purpose and timing within the billing process.

When is It Issued?

By using these documents correctly, freelancers can ensure prompt payment, track their finances, and maintain good client relationships. It is important to maintain accurate records and consult with professionals when needed. A statement is a summary document provided by a business to its customers or clients on a regular basis, typically monthly. It offers an overview of all transactions that occurred during a specific period. Statements are commonly used for credit accounts and provide a snapshot of the account’s activity, including purchases, payments, and any outstanding balances.

Should I make invoices or statements for my small business?

When you receive a statement, everything on it should already be recorded in your ledgers. Creating comprehensive, easy-to-understand billing statements and invoices help you look professional, and more importantly, help your customers pay you on time. A billing statement is a document which lists multiple transactions between a business and customer over a set period of time. Both statements and invoices play vital roles in financial management, but they serve different purposes and cater to different stages of a financial transaction. While statements focus on providing an overview, invoices are more specific and transaction-oriented.

When you receive a good or service from a company that you haven’t yet paid for, the business will send you an invoice. The invoice acts as both a formal reminder to pay the provider and as evidence of the transaction. Providers may hand-deliver it along with the product or service, send it via email, or mail it. In the business world, a designer working on contract for a client might issue a statement to the client describing the hours worked. Remember that there are different types of invoices, and they can vary in complexity.

The purpose of statement vs invoice

They serve as a record of all the transactions that have taken place within a given time frame, allowing you to keep track of your expenses and income. By reviewing your statement, you can quickly identify any discrepancies or errors, ensuring the accuracy of your financial records. Going back to follow up for every unpaid invoice or to record all paid invoices for a business is a tedious task.

What Is a Commercial Invoice?

This is a fully integrated solution that pays for itself over and over each month by preventing defaults and preserving client relationships. We hope this article helped shed light on the key differences in using an invoice vs a statement in your accounts receivable collections process. Sales receipts are generally reserved for transactions with immediate payment where there is no opportunity to send an invoice. A balance sheet records all of your assets, liabilities, and stockholder equity. You will record your net income by subtracting expenses from revenue and creating a cash flow statement (CFS) to demonstrate your solvency and debt payment ability. The frequency of sending statements depends on your business’s policies.

You can seal a deal with a handshake, but most businesses prefer something in writing. Statements and invoices both track unpaid debts for goods or services but they do it in different ways. When you make out your bookkeeping, accounting rules also require you to know the difference between invoice and statement and how they’re treated. Regardless of the frequency, both statements and invoices are essential for financial management. They provide crucial information for individuals and businesses to make informed decisions, maintain accurate records, and ensure financial stability. In the world of business transactions and financial management, two commonly used documents are statements and invoices.