Invoicing system

[LCRLCR]

Can anyone please recommend an invoicing system for a small but busy business? DHhas been doing it manually using paper and ink but it's just not easy to manage at all.

Thank you

What sort of business?
Duplicate books www.viking-direct.co.uk/a/pb/3-Part-Invoice-Books-203-x-279mm/id=BB1300/
word processor files?
till rolls?
it depends - what does your accountant suggest?

I operate the following very simple system in excel:

1. give every invoice a sequential number
2. make the filename the number, followed by the name of the company I'm invoicing, then the date
3. when then money comes in, I add to the end of the filename (pd)

Thanks - it's actually a butchers so we currently use duplicate books for the restaurants, local shops etc we supply but it's cumbersome with a different book for each client so we thought there must be some software programme that would make us more organised and professional.

why not have a duplicate delivery note book and give each sale a delivery note (all from same book) and then, I would use XL, type out a formal invoice, referenced to the delivery note (i.e. your delivery note book may say 246 so your invoice would be say June/246 & on the top of the delivery note, to show it has been invoiced write the invoice number ) and send it to the client, when the client pays you mark it off in the delivery note book as paid, or keep a 2nd copy of the invoice, put it in the 'unpaid invoices - June' file and then , when it is paid take it out of this file, mark it 'paid on 31/8/11 - bank ref 0756 = paying in book slip number and then file it into the 'cash recieved August' file.
you do not need to buy an expensive invoicing system

Do you have the orders from customers before business starts or just as the day goes on?
If you know in advance it would be a pita having to write out on del notes then input into computer. I'd prob just get the cheapest sage and do invoices on there then you would have your invoices going into each customers account. Then print off 1 copy for del note and 2 nd copy into invoice folder. Then when paid Mark off on computer.

Or what till system do you use? Could that be manipulated to print on a4 paper with the items showing on it? Maybe even link to an accounts package to keep track of who's paid you?

Sage

I use Freshbooks and it is fantastic. I started off with a free account. I'm on my phone atm so don't have my referral link - but you can find it on my website via the freshbooks ad on the right hand side. Love it. I didn't have loads of clients to start with but as the business grew I found it adapted to my needs. I always recommend freshbooks my site is victoriaanndesign.net

Sage? Ooh no!!
There are lots of Cloud based options available that are really cost effective and can help you with the day to day running of the business - Freshbooks is one, but I recommend E-conomic (www.e-conomic.co.uk).

I have seen a business that sells into restaurants use it very effectively producing two invoices as you have identified. It also helps ensuring people debtors are chased regularly so you get paid on time!

If you need further assistance on this, these couple of sites are useful:

www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/
www.startuprevolution.co.uk/resources/business-articles