What is eInvoicing?

Depending on how your eInvoices are generated, you may also be able to skip out on the email delivery, as many eInvoicing software can manage this on a business owner’s behalf.

What information is needed for an eInvoice?

To make payment easy for the eInvoice receiver, make sure you’ve covered all the main criteria necessary. eInvoices required three categories of details:

Your business information

• Business name/trading name (if applicable)
• Business address
• Website
• Business contact information
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Fax number
• Australian business number (ABN) or Australian company name (ACN)

Order details and payment options

• Date of the invoice
• Unique invoice number or purchase order number
• Description of goods and/or services being charged with associated costs
• GST, if applicable (if you’re unsure, find out when to charge GST)
• Name of the person or business set to pay the invoice
• Method(s) of payment
  • Credit card
  • Direct to account with account details
  • Email transfer
  • And more!

Terms and conditions

• Be sure to add a payment timeline for the receiver so they know when to slot it into their pay period.

What are the benefits of eInvoicing?

More productivity through automation

Using eInvoicing software creates opportunities for automation, including the automated creation and receipt of recurring invoices. It can also reduce the amount of time customers will send following-up and chasing invoices.

Faster payment

eInvoices can be created easily on a computer and sent instantly to a supplier or customer. Traditional invoicing usually needed to be printed and mailed to the customer, taking several business days. Whereas eInvoicing will be delivered to the customer immediately.

Not only does this reduce the time it takes for the customer to receive the invoice, they are able to process payment much quicker.

Improved customer satisfaction

Customers appreciate the timely receipt of eInvoices just as much as the sender. Buyers can track their costs and budgets more accurately, process payment and reconcile the books.

Better supplier relationships

Efficient and accurate billing with clear payment options, making every transaction even more seamless.

Environmentally friendly & lower cost

No longer leaning on paper, eInvoicing allows everything to be done digitally, dramatically reducing a company’s carbon footprint. By leaning on email or automated sending for the invoices online, business owners also reduce their postage costs.

How safe is eInvoicing?

Generally speaking, eInvoicing is relatively safe, especially when it comes to the sender. On the buyer’s end, however, it’s becoming increasingly important for businesses and people alike to do their due diligence before processing payment of any type.

This year, cybercrime costs are predicted to reach $9.5 trillion USD, with the largest type of cyber crime being phishing attacks. Plenty of these attempts include falsified invoices, looking identical to reoccurring eInvoices, with the only change being the account number. These redirect schemes cost businesses millions every year, so it’s important to be careful.

Many business owners and accounting teams look to implement strategies such as call back controls or segregation of duties. Although, as companies turn to automation options, implementing an accounts payable technology such as Eftsure makes sure you pay the right people, every time.

Summary

• eInvoicing, short for electronic invoicing, is the process of sending a digital invoice to a supplier, contractor, government or customer for payment.
• Using eInvoicing software creates opportunities for automation, including the automated creation and receipt of recurring invoices.
• It can also reduce the amount of time customers will send following-up and chasing invoices.
• eInvoicing increases productivity, reduces the carbon footprint, improves supplier relationships and encourages quicker payment processing.
• Always take caution when paying eInvoices through call back controls, segregation of duties or by implementing an automated invoice checker, such as Eftsure.