Set up and send progress invoices in QuickBooks Desktop (2024)

Learn how to set up and use progress invoicing in QuickBooks Desktop.

Progress invoicing lets you split an estimate into as many invoices as you need. Instead of asking for full payment at the beginning of a project, you can invoice customers for partial payments. As you complete work, add items from the initial estimate to progress invoices. This keeps project payments organized and connected from start to finish.

Step 1: Turn on progress invoicing

If you haven’t already, turn on progress invoicing.

  1. Sign in to QuickBooks Desktop as an admin.
  2. Go to the File menu and select Switch to Single-user mode.
  3. Go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
  4. Select Jobs & Estimates from the list of menus.
  5. Select the Company Preferences tab.
    Set up and send progress invoices in QuickBooks Desktop (1)
  6. Select Yes in the DO YOU CREATE ESTIMATES? section. Then select Yesin the DO YOU DO PROGRESS INVOICING? section.
  7. Select OK to save and close your preferences.
  8. If you need to, go back to the File menu and select Switch toMulti-user mode.

Now you can create invoices from your estimates.

Step 2: Create an estimate

  1. Go to the Customers menu and select Create Estimates.
  2. Choose your customer.
  3. Fill out the rest of the estimate.
  4. Select Save & New or Save & Close.
Tip: If you use the jobs feature and want to add an estimate, add it to the job before you start creating progress invoices.

Step 3: Create progress invoices from the estimate

For progress invoices, you work from your estimate instead of the normal invoice workflow.

  1. Go to the Customers menu and select Customer Center.
  2. Find and select your customer on the list.
  3. Find and open the estimate on the customer's page.
  4. Select Create Invoice from the toolbar.
  5. Decide how much you want to charge on the invoice. You can charge for a percentage or a specific amount for selected items. Then select OK.
    Set up and send progress invoices in QuickBooks Desktop (2)
  6. Fill out the rest of the invoice and send it to your customer.

Your original estimate won’t change when you create a progress invoice. QuickBooks keeps a record of both.

Don’t worry about sending too many invoices

You’ll get a warning message if you try to create invoices for more than 100% of the estimated total. You can select OK if you want to continue creating the invoice.

Set up and send progress invoices in QuickBooks Desktop (3)

Create progress invoices for a job on QuickBooks for Mac

Create an invoice using an estimate.

  1. Open estimate and select Customers, then select Create Invoice.
  2. Select the info you want on the invoice. Then select OK.
    1. Remaining amounts on the estimate.
    2. Percentage of the estimate.
    3. Only certain items or percentages for each item.
  3. Select OK once you have determined the information you need for the estimate.
  4. Verify the amounts you want to include on the invoice and select Save.

To create the next progress invoice for this job, start with Step 1. Then the next invoice picks up where you left off with the remaining amount on the estimate.

Create progress invoices for a job on QuickBooks for Mac

Create an invoice using an estimate.

  1. Open estimate and select Customers, then select Create Invoice.
  2. Select the info you want on the invoice. Then select OK.
    1. Remaining amounts on the estimate.
    2. Percentage of the estimate.
    3. Only certain items or percentage for each item.
  3. Select OK once you have determined the information you need for the estimate.
  4. Verify the amounts you want to include on the invoice and select Save.

To create the next progress invoice for this job, start with Step 1. Then the next invoice picks up where you left off with the remaining amount on the estimate.

Step 4: Keep track of your progress invoices

Review your estimates and reports to stay organized.

Estimates

The panel on an estimate provides useful info, such as the number of open estimates for a customer. To see all the progress invoices you created from an estimate, select the Transactions tab and go to the Related Transactions section.

Set up and send progress invoices in QuickBooks Desktop (4)

Reports

Use reports to keep track of your progress invoices.

  1. Go to the Reports Center.
  2. Select the Jobs, Time & Mileage from the list.
  3. Scroll down to the Job Estimates section.
  4. Select Job Progress Invoices vs. Estimates.

Check out the Job Progress Invoices vs. Estimates report to track how much you invoice for each estimate.

Set up and send progress invoices in QuickBooks Desktop (2024)

FAQs

How do I create a progress invoice in QuickBooks desktop? ›

Step 1: Turn on progress invoicing
  1. Sign in to QuickBooks Desktop as an admin.
  2. Go to the File menu and select Switch to Single-user mode.
  3. Go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
  4. Select Jobs & Estimates from the list of menus.
  5. Select the Company Preferences tab.
  6. Select Yes in the DO YOU CREATE ESTIMATES?
Jan 10, 2023

How do I send a progress invoice in QuickBooks? ›

Step 1: Turn on progress invoicing
  1. Go to Settings ⚙ and select Account and settings.
  2. Select the Sales tab.
  3. In the Progress Invoicing section, select Edit ✎.
  4. Turn on the Create multiple partial invoices from a single estimate switch.
  5. In the Update your invoice template? window, select Update.
  6. Select Save, then Done.
Dec 1, 2022

Which version of QuickBooks allows progress invoicing? ›

Progress Invoicing is available in all versions of QuickBooks Online. To start using Progress Invoicing, click on the Gear in the upper right corner, then choose Account and Settings > Sales > Progress Invoicing. Make sure there is a checkmark in front of “Create multiple partial invoices from a single estimate.”

What must you do before you can create a progress billing invoice in QuickBooks? ›

Before you can start QuickBooks progress invoicing, you must first have an estimate to invoice against. Once you have agreed upon pricing terms with your client and created an estimate in QuickBooks, you're ready to start progress invoicing.

How do I set up progress billing? ›

We'll show 8 steps to set up progress billing.
  1. Develop a schedule of values. The schedule of values outlines different costs or values for each of the project's tasks. ...
  2. Determine the payment schedule. ...
  3. Draft the contract. ...
  4. Commence the project. ...
  5. Submit an invoice. ...
  6. Client review. ...
  7. Invoice payment. ...
  8. End the project.
Jun 30, 2022

Can QuickBooks desktop automatically send invoices? ›

Create a recurring invoice in QuickBooks Online

Select Gear > Recurring Transactions > New. For Transaction Type, select Invoice and then click OK. For Type, select Scheduled. Select Automatically send emails.

What is progress invoicing? ›

Typically used for large-scale construction projects, progress billing is a type of invoice that bills for work completed along the way. Instead of invoicing at the end of a project, progress billing occurs incrementally as the project advances.

What benefits does progress invoicing provide to clients select all that apply? ›

Progress invoicing means that customers do not have to come up with the full project cost upfront. Plus, your customers can rest assured that work will continue on the project because your business won't be able to take their deposit and leave without completing the job.

Can customers pay invoices through QuickBooks desktop? ›

In QuickBooks Desktop

Your customers can pay for their invoices online with a credit card, debit card, and ACH bank transfer.

What process would you use to prepare and process invoices? ›

Here are the invoice processing steps:
  1. Capture. Vendor invoices are received by fax, mail, email, or captured by an accounts payable system.
  2. Register. Invoices are prepared for approval by coding and updating the invoice data.
  3. Dispatch. ...
  4. Approval/Rejection. ...
  5. Payment. ...
  6. Archive.

What are the steps that must be completed before an invoice approval is complete and a payment voucher prepared? ›

How to Approve Invoices For Payment
  1. Check the Invoice for Accuracy. ...
  2. Cross-Reference Invoice Dates. ...
  3. Confirm the Work with the Project Manager. ...
  4. Check the Vendor Details. ...
  5. Record the Invoice Due Date. ...
  6. Schedule a Payment. ...
  7. Approve Purchase Orders. ...
  8. Streamline Decision-Making.
Apr 7, 2023

When sending an invoice in QBO What are the required fields of information that needs to be entered? ›

Enter all necessary information for Product/Service, Description, QTY, Rate, Amount, and Tax.

What is the difference between progress billing and accrued billing? ›

accrued billings as current asset, representing the excess of revenue recognised in the income statement over the billings to purchasers; and. progress billings as current liability, representing the excess of billings to purchasers over revenue recognised in the income statement; and.

What are the benefits of progress invoicing? ›

It eases the provider's cash-flow burden and reduces their need to finance a client's long-term project. A business can better control overhead and liabilities by using progress invoicing to cover costs. These can include labor, subcontractors, and materials.

What is the difference between progress billing and milestone billing? ›

Milestone Billing allows you to set specific milestones based on the total price of the job, either by dollar amount or by percentage of the total amount. Progress Billing can only be used for one-off jobs or for one-off jobs that have been split into multiple visits.

Is it possible to automate the billing process? ›

Automated billing systems explained

An automated billing system is a type of software solution that takes care of all the functions related to the billing process. With little manual input, an auto billing service can generate invoices, collect payments, and handle approvals and provisioning.

What is the progress payment method? ›

Progress payment claims are a request for payment from the contractor to the homeowner for work completed to date. Progress payment claims are usually made in accordance with the payment schedule set out in the contract, which outlines the specific amounts that are payable at certain stages of the project.

How are progress payments handled? ›

A progress payment is a partial payment approach identified in a contract related to steps or phases toward the completion of the contract for goods and/or services. Use of this payment approach can require withhold of a percentage of payment pending completion of the entire contract and a bond.

How do I change my billing status in QuickBooks? ›

Go to Settings ⚙, then Account and settings. Select Billing & subscription. Select Switch to monthly billing or Switch to annual billing. Select Switch, then Done.

Does QuickBooks send invoices to customers? ›

If you're ready to send the invoice, select Review and send to email the invoice to your customer. Adjust the email if needed, then select Send invoice. To send the invoice later, select Save and close. To print a paper invoice, select Print and download.

Does QuickBooks let you send invoices? ›

How to Email an Invoice in QuickBooks Online. Go to Get paid & pay and select Invoices (Take me there). Find the invoice you wish to email. Then, in the Action column, select the drop-down arrow and select Send.

What is it called when you process invoices? ›

Invoice processing involves the complete cycle of receiving a supplier invoice, approving it, establishing a remittance date, paying the invoice, and then recording it in the general ledger. It is a critical aspect of running a business.

How does automated invoice processing work? ›

Automated invoicing cuts to the chase. When the invoice arrives, it is scanned and fed into the digital accounting system. This form of data capture (otherwise known as invoice capture) cuts out hours of manual data entry. The invoice processing software will then convert the data into a text-searchable document.

Which tool should be used to help automate billing and invoicing processes? ›

FreshBooks | Invoicing accounting software

It automates all your manual tasks such as invoicing and scanning receipts, admin, etc.. It's easy to use, eliminates human data entry error, and streamlines the your accounts payable workflows.

What is the benefit of batch invoicing in QuickBooks? ›

QuickBooks helps you save time by sending the same invoice to numerous customers at once. If you have an invoice you want to send to multiple customers, you don't need to create a separate invoice for each customer. Instead, you can create a single batch.

Can customers make partial payments on QuickBooks? ›

Click to enable the “show all bills” option. Search for the specific bill you wish to make partial payments on. Enter the amount into the “amount due” column. Select the checkmark to choose “partial payment.”

Does QuickBooks take a percentage on invoices? ›

QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks GoPayment

2.9% plus 25 cents per invoiced transaction. 1% per ACH bank transfer (max $10 per transaction).

Does QuickBooks automatically apply payments to invoices? ›

To keep QuickBooks from automatically applying for payments, you need to set your payment preference. From the Edit menu, select Preferences. On the left pane, select Payments then go to the Company Preferences tab. On the Receive Payments section, check or uncheck the Automatically apply payments as preferred.

How much is QuickBooks desktop 2023? ›

The QuickBooks 2023 Desktop prices will be: QuickBooks 2023 Desktop Pro Plus $549. QuickBooks 2023 Desktop Mac Plus $549. QuickBooks 2023 Desktop Premier Plus $799.

When should you create an invoice in QuickBooks desktop? ›

When your customer has accepted your estimate and agreed to pay a fixed amount (rather than for actual time and costs), you can turn the entire estimate into an invoice. Open the correct estimate. Select Create Invoice at the top of the Estimate form.

How can I make invoicing process easier? ›

How to Improve Your Invoicing Process in 8 Simple Steps
  1. Set your terms. ...
  2. Know your clients. ...
  3. Invoice consistently. ...
  4. Create clear and detailed invoices. ...
  5. Keep a paper trail. ...
  6. Remind client of deadline. ...
  7. Keep an invoice tracking system. ...
  8. Go after late payments.

What skills do you need for invoice processing? ›

Knowledge of accounting databases and recordkeeping. Proficiency in office software, such as Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook Express. Advanced ability to collaborate, manage client requests, and answer queries. Ability to review invoices and verify tax information.

How many invoices can be processed in a day? ›

How many Possible Invoices can be Processed in a Day? The number of invoices your accounts team can process daily depends on several factors. However, based on a general estimate, an accountant can process around 4-5 invoices in an hour, 32-40 in a day, or 640-800 monthly.

What to check before processing an invoice? ›

At the time of verifying the invoice, a careful eye must be cast over the following points:
  1. Date of the invoice.
  2. General details of the supplier.
  3. GSTIN of the supplier.
  4. Description of the goods or services provided.
  5. Value of goods or services provided.
  6. Taxes to be paid on the same.
  7. Mode of payment and related information.
Mar 17, 2023

What three 3 documents are involved in the three way match invoice verification step? ›

Pertinent details, including supplier name, purchase quantity and cost of purchase, are matched across three related documents: a purchase order, delivery receipt and supplier invoice.

What information should a complete invoice contain? ›

your company name, address and contact information. the company name and address of the customer you're invoicing. a clear description of what you're charging for.

Which of the following details is compulsory on an invoice QuickBooks? ›

An invoice ID or invoice number. The payment term and due date. An itemised list of the products or services provided.

How do I create a prior payment in QuickBooks desktop? ›

Press Ctrl + Alt + Y or Ctrl + Shift + Y to open the Setup YTD Amounts window. Select Next until you reach the Enter prior payments section. In the Enter Prior Payments window, select Create Payment to enter all prior payroll tax and non-tax payroll liability payments you have made during the current or previous years.

How do I create a custom invoice in QuickBooks? ›

Go to Get paid & pay or Sales, then select Invoices (Take me there) or Estimates. Select Create invoice or Create estimate to create a new form. Or to edit an existing form, select an invoice or estimate from the list and select View/Edit.

How do I set up progress billing in QuickBooks? ›

Step 1: Turn on progress invoicing

Go to Settings ⚙ and select Account and settings. Select the Sales tab. In the Progress Invoicing section, select Edit ✎. Turn on the Create multiple partial invoices from a single quote switch.

How do I automate payments in QuickBooks desktop? ›

Set up from QuickBooks Desktop
  1. Go to Customers, then select Credit Card Processing Activities.
  2. Select Set Up Recurring Payments.
  3. Find the name of your customer on the search field. ...
  4. Under Invoice Type. ...
  5. Fill out the fields under Payment Method, then select Next.
Dec 1, 2022

When would you use progress invoicing? ›

Typically used for large-scale construction projects, progress billing is a type of invoice that bills for work completed along the way. Instead of invoicing at the end of a project, progress billing occurs incrementally as the project advances.

What is the purpose of progress billing? ›

Progress billings allow contractors to bill their clients incrementally as the project is in progress. For progress billings to work, the client and contractor must agree to a payment schedule when invoices will be submitted for payment. They are useful for long-term projects that often come with large budgets.

How do I automatically send invoices in QuickBooks desktop? ›

Here's how:
  1. Navigate to the Bookkeeping menu and select Transactions.
  2. Then, choose All Sales.
  3. From there, click the Filter option.
  4. Next, in the Delivery method dropdown menu choose Send later. Then, click Apply.
  5. Check the boxes for the invoices you want to email.
Mar 28, 2022

Can QuickBooks desktop send invoices? ›

In QuickBooks Desktop, you can email sales forms, invoices and statements to your customers. You can send them individually or as a batch, or save them to send when you're ready.

What are the three options for customizing invoices in QuickBooks? ›

Our layout screen is user-friendly and gives you all your options in three tabs: Design, Content, and Emails.
  • Design - this is where you can edit/add your logo, add some color and choose your font.
  • Content - here you can edit your information, add website/address, and change labels and their widths.
Aug 25, 2021

Can I create my own invoice template? ›

There are several ways to create an invoice. Many businesses use a document creation app like Microsoft Word or a spreadsheet to make invoices from scratch or from a limited set of pre-installed templates. Other businesses use invoice templates available online.

Does QuickBooks have an invoice template? ›

With the free invoice templates from QuickBooks for small businesses, you can now easily download, customize, and send professional invoices to your customers in three different formats: Excel, Word and PDF.

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