Last editedJan 20203 min read
After you’ve provided goods or services to a customer, it’s time for the next step – sending the invoice. But do you know how to write an invoice? Whether you’re an early-stage start-up or you’ve been in business for a while, producing the perfect invoice is an important part of your payment process. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide for how to write an invoice in the UK:
1. Decide how you want to create your invoice
There are several ways that you start writing an invoice. Many people decide to put it together on Word, Excel, or Google Docs. You can do this manually if you want, but if you’re just learning how to make an invoice, it may be easier to use a template. There may be templates installed on your program already, but alternatively, there is a broad range of free, customisable templates available online.
2. Ensure your invoice is clearly marked
It’s important to label the document as an invoice, as this may help speed along the payment process. You also need to include a unique identification number on your invoice, which helps you to identify transactions. The unique identification number can be structured in any way you want – while it can also contain letters and numbers – so many companies include specific information such as the date of issue or the name of the project.
3. Include company name, address, and contact information
Another important element of writing an invoice is company information. You need to include the name, address, and contact information of both your company and the company you are invoicing. If you’re a limited company, you should also add your company registration number and the formal registered name of your company.
4. Add a description of the goods and services you’re charging for
You also need to add a short description of the goods/services you’re invoicing for. It doesn’t need to be too long, but it should contain enough detail for your customers to know exactly what they’re being charged for. This way, there’s less likely to be unwanted follow-ups from your customer and your invoice will be processed more quickly. As well as the description, you should add the quantity and price of each item.
5. Include dates
When you create an invoice for a small business, dates are another essential part of the invoice. If dates aren’t included, you could face late payments, which cause cash flow issues. There are a couple of dates that need to be included somewhere on the invoice:
Date the goods/services were provided, also known as the supply date
Date of the invoice
6. Insert the amount of money you’re charging
In addition to the cost of the individual goods/services, you need to add the total amount owed. If any discounted rates were agreed with the customer, these should be noted and subtracted from the total cost.
7. Make sure payment terms are enclosed
For anyone learning how to make an invoice for the first time, it’s easy to forget about payment terms. The following pieces of information should all be included within the invoice:
Accepted forms of payment
Accepted currency
Late-payment penalties
Due date
If you don’t let the customer know when you expect payment, it’s likely to cause issues down the line, so payment terms are a major part of any invoice.
8. Double-check everything’s included
After you’ve finished writing an invoice, you should double-check that all the right information has been included. So, just to recap, here’s all the information you need to include in a standard invoice:
Unique identification number
Your company’s name, address, and contact information
Your customer’s company name, address, and contact information
Description of the goods/services you’re charging for
Date the goods/services were provided (supply date)
Date of the invoice
Amount charged
Total amount owed
Check those off your invoice one by one, and if they’re all there, then you’re good to go.
What about VAT invoices?
If you’re learning how to write an invoice in the UK, it’s important to pay attention to VAT. If you or your customers are VAT registered, you need to use a VAT invoice, rather than a standard invoice. There are a few different types of VAT invoice:
Full invoice
Modified invoice (for retail supplies over £250)
Simplified invoice (for retail supplies under £250)
Different information is required depending on which form of VAT invoice you need to use. Generally, you should include everything we’ve listed for the standard invoice, as well as the following items:
VAT registration number
Tax point (or “time of supply”)
Total amount excluding VAT
Total amount of VAT
VAT rate charged per-item (as well as notes for any exempt items)
Can I create an invoice with invoicing software?
Yes, if you don’t want to produce the invoice yourself, there are a broad range of paid and free invoice software programs that can help you create an invoice for a small business. Many accounting and invoicing tools integrate with GoCardless, so shop around and find the one that’s perfect for your company’s needs and budget.
We can help
With GoCardless, you can automatically collect payment on a set payment date. Find out how GoCardless can help you with ad hoc payments or recurring payments.
