Module 2: Billing & Invoicing Essentials
Five chapters on the mechanics of billing itself: what belongs on a professional invoice, how retainers and milestone billing actually work, building a numbering system that survives an audit, and the common mistakes that quietly delay payment.
Anatomy of a Professional Invoice
The nine essential elements every professional invoice needs, and why missing even one slows down payment.
Recurring Billing: Getting Retainers Right
How retainer billing works, the most common pitfall (scope creep), and why scope changes should never be folded into the base invoice.
Milestone & Progress Billing
When to use milestone billing instead of a retainer, how to structure a milestone schedule, and how deposits protect cash flow on larger projects.
Invoice Numbering & Recordkeeping
How to build an invoice numbering system that survives audits, corrections, and years of growth, without ever creating a gap or a duplicate.
Common Invoicing Mistakes That Delay Payment
The recurring, avoidable mistakes that quietly slow down payment, and a practical checklist to catch them before an invoice goes out.