How To

How to Manage Your Freelance Business Invoices

Contributor
By akaplan
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Among other things, your success as a freelancer depends on your ability to handle administrative tasks such as managing your outgoing invoices (which hopefully become incoming checks sooner rather than later). The following are some tips for managing these in an efficient manner.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Create a professional invoice using Microsoft Word or Excel. Make sure the invoice includes a summary of each job, including its date of completion, the date you submitted it, and the agreed-upon rate. You should also number each invoice associated with a particular job.

  2. Step 2

    Keep your invoices organized. For each client you have, keep an electronic folder of invoices associated with that job. These invoices should be mailed back to you along with your check, and then you can save the hard copy elsewhere.

  3. Step 3

    Keep a spreadsheet or list of all submitted invoices using either Excel or Word. Include the client's name, invoice number, date you submitted it and amount due.

  4. Step 4

    When you receive payment, mark this on your spreadsheet. You should also save any check stubs, returned invoices or work summary forms, as these may be necessary for tax purposes.

  5. Step 5

    Stay on top of your clients. Hopefully, your clients will pay you promptly or will have set days that their companies process payroll. If necessary, provide a date by which you have to be paid to ensure a quick return.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you don't know how to make an invoice, you can download a template fairly easily from the Internet. You may wish to use Excel over Word, since it allows you to put in formulas to calculate the total payment.
  • PayPal is another payment option that mitigates a lot of the paperwork associated with traditional invoices. You may wish to see if this service meets the needs of your business (and if clients are amenable to using it).

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