Creating an Invoice
Step-by-step guide to creating an invoice โ from selecting a project to sending it to the client.
Overview
This walkthrough covers the full invoice creation process โ selecting a project, adding line items, reviewing totals, and sending to the client.
Note
Before creating an invoice, ensure you've set up rates for your team and configured invoice settings (payment terms, tax, branding).
Step 1: Start a New Invoice
- Navigate to Invoices in the sidebar.
- Click New Invoice.
- Select the project you're billing for.
- The client (contact) is pre-filled from the project. You can change it if needed.
- Set the invoice date and due date (based on your payment terms).
An invoice number is generated automatically based on your numbering settings.
Step 2: Add Line Items
Click Add Line Item and choose the type:
Progress Claim
- Select Progress as the line type.
- Choose a milestone from the project.
- Monument calculates the claimable amount based on milestone progress minus previous claims.
- Adjust the claim percentage if you're not billing the full amount.
Time Entries
- Select Time (Hourly) as the line type.
- A time entry selector appears showing unbilled entries for this project.
- Select the entries to include โ the amount is calculated from hours ร billing rate.
Fixed Amount
- Select Fixed Amount as the line type.
- Enter a description and amount.
Expense
- Select Expense as the line type.
- Select unbilled expenses from the project.
- Optionally set a markup percentage.
Step 3: Review the Invoice
Before sending, review:
- Line items โ descriptions, quantities, and amounts
- Subtotal โ sum of all line items
- Tax โ calculated based on your tax settings
- Discount โ if applicable
- Total โ the final amount due
Tip
Click Preview to see the invoice as the client will see it, including your branding and layout.
Step 4: Send the Invoice
- Click Send to email the invoice directly to the client.
- Or click Mark as Sent if you'll deliver it another way (print, post, etc.).
- The invoice status changes from Draft to Sent.
The client receives an email with the invoice attached as a PDF.
After Sending
Once sent, you can:
- Record payments as they come in
- Send reminders for overdue invoices
- Void the invoice if it was sent in error
- Duplicate the invoice to create a similar one quickly
What's Next
- Invoice Statuses and Workflow โ track invoices through their lifecycle
- Tracking Invoice Payments โ record payments
- Adding Time Entries to Invoices โ detailed time billing