How to Create Invoices in QuickBooks Premier

Invoicing clients promptly and accurately is critical to getting paid on time. QuickBooks Premier provides flexible tools to generate professional invoices that make billing easy. Follow these steps to create polished invoices that clearly communicate what clients owe.

Setup Your Invoice Template

QuickBooks comes with customizable invoice templates to match your branding. To create a template that represents your business:

• Select invoice form styles, like sales order or service order
• Add your logo and business information
• Customize columns, lines, fonts and colors
• Enable recurring invoice capabilities if needed

A clean, consistent invoice template will reinforce your professional image.

Enter Invoice Header Details

When creating a new invoice in QuickBooks Premier, start by entering key header information:

• Customer: Select the customer’s name from your customer list
• Date: Enter the date the order was placed, products shipped, or services rendered
• Billing and shipping addresses: QuickBooks 2024 will autofill from the customer profile
• Invoice number: QuickBooks automatically sequences the invoice number

Review the header details carefully to ensure accuracy before adding invoice line items.

Add Invoice Line Items

Next, add a line for each item or service being billed. For each line item, enter details like:

• Item/service: Select the name from your product/service list
• Description: Add specifics about the item to clarify for the customer
• Quantity: Enter the number of units sold
• Rate: Input the price per unit
• Tax: Select the tax rate that applies
• Amount: QuickBooks will calculate the line total

Group items with the same rates or tax codes to simplify. Add serial numbers if needed for tracking.

Apply Customer Payments

To quickly apply any customer payments or deposits:

• Click “Payments” in the invoice window
• Select “Apply Credits” to allocate unapplied credits
• Enter any new payment amounts received
• Save the payments to update the invoice balance due

This will reduce the amount owed on the invoice.

Review Billing and Shipping

Carefully review the billing and shipping addresses and delivery method before finalizing the invoice. Confirm you are billing the correct customer contact and location.

For virtual services, the billing address is most critical. For physical products, verify shipping accuracy to avoid delays.

Set Terms and Due Date

Set payment terms like Net 30 that will communicate when the invoice is due. QuickBooks defaults the due date based on the terms but you can adjust if needed.

Clarify your terms to eliminate confusion. Send a statement outlining terms to new customers.

Add Memos, Messages or Attachments

For additional context, add:

• Memos describing payment instructions or other details
• Messages clarifying or highlighting specific items
• Attachments like contracts, work orders or photos

Thorough communications on the invoice improves clarity.

Review and Send the Invoice

Before sending your invoice:

• Preview the invoice to verify accuracy
• Check for errors or omissions
• Confirm balances tie out to supporting docs
• Enable email delivery for fast sending

Professional proofing ensures quality. Mail hard copies of invoices if required.

Mark Invoices Paid

Once you receive payment for an invoice, be sure to mark it paid in QuickBooks Premier. This will update open accounts receivable balances and transaction history.

By mastering invoice creation from both simple and complex scenarios, you can efficiently bill clients and receive timely payments. Leverage QuickBooks enterprise support resources like online training and guides to get the most out of invoicing. Prompt and accurate billing makes a world of difference in cash flow for your business.