Besides following the strategies of successful entrepreneurs, it’s important to review the sample invoices in this article to achieve success in your own business. Hmm… but what’s the connection exactly?
Running a business certainly requires confidence, but be careful not to overclaim or declare your business successful without accurate measurements. One key indicator of a truly successful business is that it is measurable and scalable.
But how can you measure success if your business administration is still disorganized? That’s why, even as an MSME, you need to be disciplined in keeping your business records organized.
The goal is to help you track the progress of your business. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at professional invoice examples, their benefits, and tips on how to create them!
What Is an Invoice?
An invoice is a written document sent by a seller to a buyer as proof of a legitimate transaction. With this document, the seller can request payment from the buyer according to the agreed-upon terms.
It contains detailed information about the purchase, such as product descriptions, quantities, unit prices, total payment, and other important details.
This document can be sent either in printed or electronic form and is usually made in three copies: one for the buyer, one for the seller as a record, and one for financial reporting purposes.
What’s the Difference Between an Invoice, a Bill, and a Receipt?
Based on their definitions, you might be a bit confused about the difference between an invoice, a bill, and a receipt.
A bill (faktur) is a document used as proof of tax collection and is optional. It is issued only for the sale of goods or services that are subject to tax.
Meanwhile, an invoice is a document used to request payment and is mandatory. While it often includes tax information, this is not always the case.
The difference between an invoice and a receipt lies in the timing of issuance. Since an invoice is used to request payment, it is issued before the buyer makes a payment. A receipt, on the other hand, serves as proof that the buyer has completed the payment.
The Purpose of an Invoice in Business
As one of a company’s key documents, an invoice serves specific functions in business. Here are some of them:
1. Provides Transaction Details
An invoice is an official document used to request payment. A sample invoice includes the payment details that the buyer must fulfill to the seller, along with the agreed-upon payment method or terms.
2. Reference for Bookkeeping
In addition to serving as a payment request, an invoice acts as proof of sale for the seller and should be recorded as accounts receivable in the bookkeeping. Conversely, an incoming invoice is recorded as accounts payable by the buyer.
That’s why this document is used as a bookkeeping reference and also serves to track payments in writing. It helps you monitor your business progress more easily.
3. Reference for Shipping
When there are discrepancies between a purchase order and the invoice sent, the invoice can serve as a reference to reconcile the transaction before payment is made. This allows the buyer to request appropriate claims or replacements from the seller.
Guide to Creating a Professional and Effective Invoice
Before diving into invoice examples, it’s important to understand how to create an effective and professional invoice.
There isn’t a fixed format, but these components are essential in an invoice to serve as a guide for both the buyer and the seller.
- Document Title To make it easily recognizable and prevent confusion with other documents, it’s best to write “INVOICE” at the top of the page.
- Issuer Company Information This section contains the seller’s or service provider’s information, such as the company logo, name and address, phone number, email address, and other contact details.
- Invoice Number and Date Every invoice should include a unique number and the issuance date to facilitate verification when needed. The invoice number is typically a unique code that is easy to track.
- Buyer Information. This section contains the buyer’s information, such as the company or individual name, address, phone number, email, and other contact details.
- Product Description and Quantity. An invoice must include the product description and quantity as proof of the payment request for the goods or services purchased or sold.
- Unit Price and Total Payment The unit price and total price must also be included in the invoice. If the goods or services are subject to tax, include calculations before and after tax. Also, provide information on any discounts, down payments, and remaining balances. Don’t forget to write the total payment in words for verification purposes.
- Payment Information. An invoice should also include details about the payment method, payment deadline, and bank account information.
- Official Stamp or Signature. To make the invoice more official, you can include a stamp or signature on the invoice that will be sent to the buyer.
Catatan Tambahan. - Additional Notes You can also include additional notes, such as special agreements with the customer. For example, outlining penalties if the buyer makes a late payment.
Sample Invoice for MSMEs
To give you a clearer idea of what an invoice looks like, here are some examples you can use as inspiration for your MSME business.
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2. Sample Invoice for a Printing Company
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3. Contoh Invoice Tagihan Jasa Menulis Artikel
Those are some examples of invoices, complete with guides on how to create them and other relevant information. To make your own, you can use Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, or online design platforms.
But if you’re already subscribed to Labamu, you don’t need to worry about designing or formatting invoices. As a transaction and financial recording app, Labamu offers a variety of features designed to help MSME business owners optimize their sales and payment processes digitally.
These features include instant payment options, invoice creation, quotations, debt records, a POS (cashier) system, and financial reports to help you monitor your business’s progress.
Hurry and download the app from Google Play or the App Store to start enjoying its benefits. You can also visit Labamu’s official website for more detailed information. Labamu is ready to assist you anytime, anywhere!
