Feature library

Recurring Invoice Runs for Monthly Client Billing

Set up a monthly invoice for an agreed retainer or repeat service, then review the next queued invoice when the current one sends. InvoiceAgent carries the billing setup forward while leaving client changes, service labels, and exceptions for you to check.

Quick context

Section

Product feature pages for scheduled invoice delivery, recurring billing, invoice previews, time tracking imports, and automated records.

Best for

Retainer-based freelancers, agencies, consultants, and service providers with repeat billing cycles.

Outcome

Use this page to move from general research into a calmer, more repeatable invoicing process.

Action plan

Worked example: a $1,200 support retainer on the 31st

1. Define the commercial agreement

Example: a $1,200 monthly support package, billed at month end with 14 calendar days between the invoice date and due date. Record the included scope and use a separate line or invoice for approved extra work. This example assumes no tax or currency conversion and the keep-weekend-date option.

2. Check September's shorter month

A configured 31st-day rule produces September 30, 2026 because September has only 30 days. For this example, the invoice date and send date are September 30 and the due date is October 14. Review the client contact, service period, amount, and payment instructions before that invoice sends.

3. Review the next monthly invoice

After the September send, the next configured date is October 31. With keep-weekend-date selected, it remains Saturday October 31 and the carried 14-day interval puts the due date on November 14. The rule returns to the 31st rather than drifting permanently to the 30th. Review the copied service label and check for any changed scope before this run.

Common pitfalls

Monthly exceptions that should interrupt the routine

Avoid this

A copied line is not a new approval

Do not let a one-off setup fee or a temporary discount repeat accidentally. Inspect the next invoice's lines, notes, recipient, and purchase-order reference. Put unapproved extra work through your normal approval process before billing it.

Avoid this

Stopping reminders does not stop recurrence

Pausing follow-up changes payment reminders for that invoice. To stop future billing, address the queued recurring invoice itself: edit its recurrence setting if one final send is needed, or delete the queued invoice when no further send should occur. Confirm the queue afterwards.

Avoid this

Relative time windows need month-end review

If a recurring invoice syncs tracked hours, its import window uses day offsets relative to the scheduled send. Months have different lengths, so that window is not automatically the previous calendar month. Check the actual range to avoid overlapping or omitting work.

Related topics

featuresrecurringschedulingautomation

Find more features and practical tools in the resources below.

FAQ

Questions people usually have before changing the workflow.

Does InvoiceAgent support weekly or quarterly recurrence?

The current built-in recurring invoice workflow is monthly. Use separately scheduled invoices for another cadence; do not assume a weekly or quarterly repeat setting exists.

What happens to a rule set for the 31st?

A shorter month uses its last available day, while the configured day remains the 31st for later months. The selected weekend policy can further adjust the actual send date.

How is the next invoice's due date calculated?

When the current invoice has a due date, the next invoice preserves the calendar-day interval between its invoice date and due date, applying that interval to the next scheduled send. Review the result when changing terms or weekend options.

Will a recurring invoice automatically charge the client?

No. Recurrence creates and sends invoices. Payment happens through the payment method you arrange with the client; confirm and record payment separately.