Invoice Payment Terms: Benefits & Best Practices

Introduction

It is no secret that poor cash flow can hurt your business growth, stability and survival. But do you know late payments are one of the most common reasons for poor cash flow? According to the Export-Import Bank of the United States, about 60% of invoices are paid late.

Unfortunately, in today’s business landscape late payments are becoming more and more common. So what can you do about it? Well, setting the right invoice payments terms can help you get paid faster and help you manage your cash flow effectively.

Not sure how to do that – in this article, we’ll cover everything about invoice payment terms, from exploring their benefits to best practices, and how they can help you manage your cash flow better and enhance your relationship with customers. Let’s get to it.

What are Invoice Payment Terms?

Invoice payment terms are agreed conditions between seller and customer dictating when and how payments for goods or services occur, ensuring clarity and mutual understanding between both parties involved. They specify the due date, acceptable payment methods, and discounts or penalties. By setting clear invoice payment terms, you can avoid confusion and disputes about payment deadlines and methods.

Why are Invoice Payment Terms so Important?

Invoice payment terms are essential as they provide clarity & transparency in your business transactions, ensuring that both you & your customers understand the expectations around payment. By clearly outlining the due date for payment, invoice payment terms help prevent misunderstandings & disputes.

Additionally, invoice payment terms play a significant role in maintaining positive relationships with your customers. Clear and fair payment terms demonstrate professionalism and reliability, instilling trust and confidence in your business. This can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals, contributing to the overall success of your enterprise.

Invoice payment terms are essential for several reasons:

1. Clarity and Transparency:

By clearly outlining the expectations around payment, invoice payment terms ensure that both you and your customers understand the payment process. This prevents misunderstandings and disputes.

2. Cash Flow Management:

Specifying when you expect to receive payment helps you plan and allocate your financial resources effectively. This enables you to meet your own financial obligations and keep your business running smoothly.

3. Relationship Building:

Clear and fair payment terms demonstrate professionalism and reliability, fostering trust and confidence in your business. This can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals, contributing to your business’s success.

List of Most Common Invoice Payment Terms

Payment Term	Description
Net 30	Payment is due 30 days from the invoice date.
Net 60	Payment is due 60 days from the invoice date.
Due Upon Receipt	Payment is due immediately upon receipt of the invoice.
1/10 Net 30	A 1% discount is offered if payment is made within 10 days; otherwise, due in 30 days.
2/10 Net 30	A 2% discount is offered if payment is made within 10 days; otherwise, due in 30 days.
COD (Cash On Delivery)	Payment is due upon delivery of goods or services.
EOM (End Of Month)	Payment is due at the end of the calendar month in which the invoice was issued.
Payment in Advance	Payment is required before goods or services are provided.

Commonly Used Invoice Words & Acronyms You Should Know

Term	Description
Invoice	A document issued by a seller to a buyer, indicating the products, quantities, and agreed-upon prices for goods or services provided.
Payment Terms	The agreed-upon conditions under which payment is due for goods or services, including the due date, accepted payment methods, and any discounts or penalties.
Due Date	The date by which payment for an invoice must be made.
Net Terms	Payment terms that specify the number of days within which payment is due after the invoice date, e.g., “Net 30” means payment is due within 30 days.
Discount Terms	Terms offering a discount for early payment, often expressed as a percentage or fixed amount if payment is made before a specified date.
PO Number	Purchase Order Number, a unique identifier assigned by the buyer to track and reference the purchase order associated with the invoice.
SKU	Stock Keeping Unit, a unique code assigned to each product or item for identification and inventory tracking purposes.
Tax ID	Tax Identification Number, a unique number assigned by tax authorities to identify businesses for tax purposes.
VAT	Value Added Tax, a consumption tax levied on the value added to goods and services at each stage of production or distribution.
A/P	Accounts Payable, the department responsible for managing and processing payments to suppliers and vendors.
A/R	Accounts Receivable, the department responsible for managing and tracking payments owed to the company by customers or clients.
PO	Purchase Order, a document issued by a buyer to a seller specifying the products, quantities, prices, and terms of a purchase.
COD	Cash on Delivery, a payment method where payment is made at the time of delivery of goods or services.
EFT	Electronic Funds Transfer, a method of transferring money electronically from one bank account to another.
REM	Remittance Advice, a document sent by a buyer to a seller specifying payment details for an invoice, including the invoice number, amount paid, and payment date.
DSO	Days Sales Outstanding, a financial metric that measures the average number of days it takes for a company to collect payment from its customers after a sale is made.
ERP	Enterprise Resource Planning, a software system used by businesses to manage and integrate core business processes such as finance, HR, inventory, and supply chain.
CRM	Customer Relationship Management, a software system used to manage interactions with current and potential customers, including sales, marketing, and customer service.
POA	Power of Attorney, a legal document that authorizes a person to act on behalf of another person or entity in legal, financial, or business matters.
COA	Chart of Accounts, a list of all the accounts used by a business to record financial transactions, organized by account type and category.
FOB	Free on Board, a shipping term indicating the point at which the seller’s responsibility for goods ends and the buyer’s responsibility begins, typically denoting the location where ownership transfers.
LTL	Less Than Truckload, a shipping method used for transporting relatively small freight shipments that do not require the use of an entire truck.
FCA	Free Carrier, an international trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to a specified carrier or location agreed upon with the buyer.
CIF	Cost, Insurance, and Freight, an international trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for arranging and paying for transportation and insurance of goods to a specified destination port.

5 Key Benefits of Invoice Payment Terms

A business’s top priority should be maintaining steady cash flow. Invoice payment terms play a crucial role in this, outlining when and how customers pay. Choosing these terms wisely can significantly impact cash flow and boost profits. You get to see a remarkable change in the way business functions by optimizing your invoice payment terms.

Here are the key benefits of invoice payment terms:

1. Clarity and transparency

By clearly defining payment deadlines and terms, you provide clarity to both you and your customers. This ensures that everyone understands the expectations around payment, preventing confusion or misunderstandings.

2. Improved cash flow management

Setting clear payment terms allows you to manage your cash flow better. With defined due dates, you can anticipate when payments will be received, enabling you to plan and allocate your finances more effectively.

3. Enhanced financial stability

With consistent and timely payments, you can maintain a stable financial position for your business. This stability allows you to meet your own financial obligations, such as paying suppliers or covering operating expenses, on time.

4. Stronger customer relationships

Transparent and fair payment terms demonstrate professionalism and reliability to your customers. This builds trust and confidence in your business, leading to stronger relationships and increased customer loyalty.

5. Reduced disputes and delays

Clear invoice payment terms help minimize disputes and payment delays. By outlining expectations upfront, you can address any issues or concerns proactively, avoiding potential conflicts down the line.

Things to Consider Before Finalizing the Payment Terms & Conditions for Invoice

Now that you know how important invoice payment terms are for your business, here are some things to think about before you decide:

1. Look at your cash flow

Are you often low on cash by the end of the month? Do you struggle to start the month because you’re short on money?

If so, you might want invoice terms that get you paid quickly. 

• Getting paid all at once before you start the work.
• Getting paid half upfront.
• Getting paid in installments, with the first payment due when the order is made.

2. Check what’s common in your industry

Different types of businesses have different ways they like to get paid. For example, wedding vendors often ask for payments throughout the booking process. But a hair salon usually wants cash right after they finish your hair.

Think about your customers’ history: You might want to give different payment terms to different customers. If someone always pays you late, you might ask for money upfront. But if someone always pays on time, you might give them more time to pay.

3. Consider adding late fees and interest

If people know they’ll get charged extra for paying late, they might be more likely to pay on time. Writing down your terms also helps if you ever need to go to court to get your money. But make sure your customers know about these fees before you start charging them.

4. Look at the size of the invoice

If it’s a big project, you might ask for some money upfront to make sure you’re not left out of pocket. Before you decide, look at the size of the invoice and think about how it fits with your cash flow.

7 Tips for Writing Effective Invoice Payment Terms

When it comes to setting up how and when you get paid, using the right invoice payment terms is crucial. Following the invoice payment terms best practices ensures that you and your customers are on the same page. It also helps to make sure payments happen smoothly and without any issues. Let’s explore some simple yet effective strategies for creating invoice payment terms that work well for everyone involved.

1. Be clear and specific

Clearly outline the payment due date and any applicable late fees or discounts for early payment. For example, “Payment due within 30 days of invoice date. 2% discount if paid within 10 days.”

2. Use simple language

Avoid jargon or complex terms that may confuse your clients. Keep the language straightforward and easy to understand. For instance, “Payment due on the 15th of each month.”

3. Set expectations

Clearly communicate your expectations regarding payment methods and any required documentation. For example, “We accept payments via credit card, bank transfer, or check. Please include the invoice number in the payment reference.”

4. Provide incentives for early payment

Encourage prompt payment by offering incentives such as early payment discounts. For instance, “Receive a 5% discount on your invoice total if paid within 15 days.”

5. Establish consequences for late payment

Clearly state the consequences of late payment, such as late fees or interest charges. This encourages customers to pay on time and helps deter delayed payments.

6. Outline payment methods

List acceptable payment methods (e.g., credit card, bank transfer) and any associated fees.

7. Be flexible

Understand that different clients may have unique payment preferences or financial constraints. Offer flexible payment terms when appropriate, such as installment plans or extended payment deadlines. For example, “If you are unable to pay the full amount by the due date, please contact us to discuss alternative arrangements.”

Example of Invoice Payment Terms

Every invoice is different. The invoice payment terms & conditions are subjective to the industry and customer’s preferences. It’s essential to discuss the conditions before generating the invoice. Here’s an example of an invoice with payment terms. 

The important payment terms include:

1. Invoice Number: This is a unique identifier assigned to each invoice you issue to your customers. It helps both you and your customers track and reference specific transactions. The invoice number is typically sequential, starting from a predetermined number and increasing with each new invoice.

2. Due Date: The due date is the deadline by which the customer must make the payment for the invoice. It’s crucial to specify a clear due date to ensure timely payments. This date is usually determined based on the payment terms agreed upon between you and your customer.

3. Total Invoice Amount: This refers to the total sum of money owed by the customer for the goods or services provided. It includes the cost of the products or services, any applicable taxes, shipping charges, and any other fees. Providing the total invoice amount helps your customer understand the full amount they need to pay.

4. Payment Terms & Conditions:These are the agreed-upon rules and guidelines governing the payment process. Payment terms and conditions typically include details such as the payment due date, accepted payment methods, any applicable discounts or late fees, and other relevant policies. Clearly outlining these terms helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures smooth transactions between you and your customers.

How Can HighRadius Help Your Business

HighRadius offers order to cash management solutions that integrates with your SAP and helps you automate all your financial processes – credit risk monitoring, collections, invoices, deductions, cash application, and more. While bureaus just help you with financial information and reports, HighRadius helps you use that information to predict customer behavior, suggest immediate action, analyze productivity, and keep your collections team in sync with the credit team. Contact our team to explore how our Credit Cloud Software can help your business. 

FAQs on Invoice Payment Terms

1. What does invoice payment terms mean?

Invoice payment terms are the agreed-upon conditions between a seller and a customer regarding when and how payments for goods or services will be made. For example, if a seller specifies “Net 30” on an invoice, it means the customer has 30 days to pay the full amount from the invoice date.

2. What are the types of Invoice payment terms?

The types of invoice payment terms include:

• Net terms: Payment due within a specified number of days.
• Prepayment: Payment required before goods or services are provided.
• Installment: Payment spread over multiple periods.
• Cash on delivery (COD): Payment made at the time of delivery.

3. When should you create payment terms?

You should create payment terms before sending out an invoice. Let’s say you run a wholesale clothing store and supply garments to a boutique. Before finalizing the order, you establish payment terms such as Net 30 days or a 50% deposit upfront and the remainder upon delivery. These terms ensure clarity and set expectations for when and how the payment should be made.

4. What is a 30-day invoice payment term?

A 30-day invoice payment term means that the buyer has 30 days from the invoice date to pay the seller for the goods or services provided. For example, if a company receives an invoice dated January 1 with a 30-day payment term, they must make the payment by January 31 to comply with the terms.

5. What is an invoice payment terms contract?

An invoice payment terms contract is a legal agreement between a seller and a buyer that outlines the terms and conditions for payment of invoices. It typically includes details such as payment due dates, late fees, interest rates, and any other relevant payment-related terms.

6. What is a 15-day invoice payment term?

A 15-day invoice payment term indicates that the buyer has 15 days from the date of the invoice to settle the payment with the seller. For instance, if a business receives an invoice on January 1 with a 15-day payment term, they must make the payment by January 16 to adhere to the terms.