• Registered: 01/25/2013
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Invoice Processing

Hi, I have a basic question related to invoice processing.

I have an invoice for the services rendered in the month of Dec 2012. However the invoice is dated Jan 4 2013. The Dec period is still open. My Manager is saying that we should book the invoice is December period with the date Dec 31 2012 as the expense we are being billed for is in Dec. However my argument is How can you process an invoice with the date when it was not issued at all. we should process it in Jan 2013 period.

He is saying that the invoice date is irrelevant as the cost was incurred in the Dec period and since it is open we should process it in Dec 2012. I do not think this is correct. In my opinion Invoice date is very important and we should book the cost when we are being billed for it not when it incurred.

Looking for the right opinion from your end.

Thank
Anuj

  • Registered: 01/25/2013
  • Posts: 2

Re: Invoice Processing

Anuj,
When accounting your income and expenses, there are basically two methods of accounting:

1) Accrual Method, where all expenses and revenues are booked when they are billed or invoiced

OR

2) Cash Method, where you book the expenses and revenues when you actually pay your bills or receive payment for your invoices.

Which method you should use is a conversation you should have with your accountant as it will have tax implications and in some countries  the tax code will require you to select one or the other. You should however use only one method. As a new Front Account user, I do not know what the default setting and/or if there is a way to change this but I believe it probably exists.
Regards,
G Vaz