Billing Clients and Preparing Statements

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Billing Clients and Preparing Statements

 

When a workorder with a balance due is closed, MLS 2026 automatically posts that amount to the client’s Accounts Receivable account.

You may also post charges manually using Receipts → Post.

For non-service accounts (such as warranty companies), you must enter the correct A/R account number in the Alternate Billing field on the General tab of the Workorder Development screen.

Without this step, the charge will not be directed to the correct account.


Tracking Open Transactions

The A/R system maintains all transactions with outstanding balances.

These can be viewed in:

Receipts → Edit

A/R reports

Once statements are generated and accounts are settled, completed transactions are moved to history during Periodic A/R Closing.


Printing Statements

Statements provide clients with a clear summary of all credit activity between your business and the customer.

Each statement includes:

Charges

Payments

Interest (if used)

Status of each invoice

Aging information

Statements should be clear, accurate, and easy to understand.


Steps to Print Statements

1.Select Reports → Statements

2.Enter the Billing Cycle to process

3.Enter the Closing Date

oOnly transactions on or before this date will appear

4.Enter an Interest Rate (if applicable)

5.Print statements


Billing Cycles (Recommended Practice)

Even if you print all statements at once, using multiple billing cycles is recommended.

This allows you to:

Break processing into manageable groups

Run selected clients separately when needed

Simplify reprints and corrections


Interest (Use Carefully)

Interest can be applied to overdue balances, but should be used with caution.

It may encourage timely payment

It may also create customer dissatisfaction

Some businesses apply interest selectively to chronic late payers.


Understanding Statement Details

Each line on the statement represents a charge or payment.

Special Indicators

Brackets { }

Indicate partial payments from prior periods

Show the remaining unpaid balance carried forward

Asterisk (*)

Indicates a reconciled transaction (charge matched by payment)

These items will be removed from active status during the next closing


Statement Format

Statements are:

Printed on standard full-size paper

Designed to fit window envelopes

Special forms are not required, but using bordered or pre-formatted paper can improve presentation.


Statement Frequency

Statements are typically generated:

Monthly (most common)

Some businesses may choose:

Weekly

Bi-weekly

for progress tracking or high-volume accounts.


Important Behavior

Statements can be printed multiple times

Reprinting does not affect balances

⚠️ Balances are not finalized until Periodic A/R Closing is performed


Best Practices

Verify billing cycles before printing

Use a consistent closing date each period

Review statements for accuracy before sending

Avoid unnecessary reprints to prevent confusion