Please note: This is an Opt-in feature available as part of Birdie’s Core, Advanced and Plus packages - and also available upon request for Essentials and Premium packages. Please get in touch if interested in more information on this feature!
We understand that you may want to issue a credit note against an invoice or provide a discount to a specific funder. Birdie has created invoice deductions in order to make both of these scenarios possible by adding a deduction feature to the invoicing process.
In conjunction with this, Birdie has now made it possible to split an invoice between multiple funders. We understand that some contracts involve a mix of funders, i.e., a combination of local authority and private, which requires splitting invoices.
How to split an invoice for multiple funders
To split an invoice, you need to generate an invoice for your first funder via Generate Invoices. Once you have done this, click on the invoice within the View Invoices tab.
You will now be able to clone the invoice by clicking the Split Invoice button at the top of the screen.
From here, you can select the next funder. Now, click Split when you are done. This will now generate a brand new invoice for the same visits for a new funder. You will now see all the details for the new funder in the newly split invoice.
After splitting the invoice, you will then use the deduction feature (as outlined step-by-step below) to get to the correct value for each funder’s invoice. You will also need to ensure the correct funder is named on the each invoice.
Example:
You have generated the original invoice for £500 for Funder 1, but only £300 of that is paid by Funder 1, with a client contribution of £200 from Funder 2.
First, split the invoice with Funder 1 and Funder 2, leaving two separate invoices for £500.
You would then record a deduction of £200, with a description of 'client contribution' on the Funder 1 invoice to make up their total contribution of £300.
For Funder 2, you would record a deduction of £300 to get to their total contribution of £200.
When you return to the invoicing tab, you will see the two invoices here and export them or send them as two completely separate invoices.
How to record a deduction on an invoice
You can now click on an invoice and make deductions, similar to how you can add extra charges for costs such as shopping or mileage, along with a free-text reason.
These deductions and extra charges will then appear on the invoice. At the moment, the system only supports whole numbers, but may include the option to record a percentage in the future, for example, you can record £3.49 but not "10%.
To do this, go to the Invoice tab, where you will see the list of invoices you have previously generated. Now, click on the invoice you would like to record a deduction against.
On the right-hand side, you will see a box labelled Deductions. Click the add deduction button.
You can now enter the reason for the deduction using the drop-down menu; you can select from a number of options, such as 'discount' or 'credit note', for example.
Click Save when you are done. You will now see that the total amount has decreased, and in the deductions box, you will see the amount you have entered.
From this screen, you also have the option to add an extra charge for mileage, groceries, etc., before you export the invoice.
Now you can export this invoice as a PDF or CSV file by clicking the Export button in the right-hand corner. You will see any charges or deductions you have made on the invoice download.
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