Syncro Invoices

Syncro MSP Invoice Management

Overview

Syncro invoices are the core of your billing workflow. Invoices can be created manually, generated from tickets, or produced automatically from recurring contracts. This skill covers invoice creation, line item management, payment processing, and billing workflows.

Anti-triggers

• The invoice in the accounting system — Syncro usually sits upstream of QuickBooks or Xero and the same invoice exists in both. Raising or editing it on the ledger side is qbo-invoices or xero-invoices; doing it in the wrong place produces two versions of one document.
• Recording the payment against the ledger — Syncro marks its own invoice paid; the accounting entry is qbo-payments or xero-payments.
• The unbilled work behind an invoice — ticket timers and time entries are syncro-tickets.

Key Concepts

Invoice

A billing document sent to customers.

Invoice Status Values

Line Item

Individual billable items on an invoice.

Payment

Payment received against an invoice.

API Patterns

Creating an Invoice

POST /api/v1/invoices
Content-Type: application/json
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY

{
  "customer_id": 12345,
  "date": "2024-02-15",
  "due_date": "2024-03-15",
  "notes": "Thank you for your business!",
  "line_items": [
    {
      "name": "Managed Services - February 2024",
      "quantity": 1,
      "price": 500.00,
      "taxable": true
    },
    {
      "name": "On-site support - 2 hours",
      "quantity": 2,
      "price": 125.00,
      "taxable": true
    }
  ]
}

Searching Invoices

Invoices for a customer:

GET /api/v1/invoices?customer_id=12345

Unpaid invoices:

GET /api/v1/invoices?status=sent

Date range:

GET /api/v1/invoices?date_from=2024-01-01&date_to=2024-01-31

Paginated listing:

GET /api/v1/invoices?page=1

Getting Invoice Details

GET /api/v1/invoices/{id}

Response includes:

• Invoice header information
• Line items
• Payment history
• Customer details

Updating an Invoice

PUT /api/v1/invoices/{id}
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "notes": "Updated payment terms",
  "due_date": "2024-03-30"
}

Adding Line Items

POST /api/v1/invoices/{id}/line_items
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "name": "Additional support hours",
  "quantity": 1.5,
  "price": 125.00,
  "taxable": true
}

Sending an Invoice

POST /api/v1/invoices/{id}/email
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "to": "billing@acme.example.com",
  "cc": "manager@acme.example.com",
  "subject": "Invoice #1042 from MSP Company",
  "message": "Please find attached your invoice for services rendered."
}

Recording a Payment

POST /api/v1/invoices/{id}/payments
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "amount": 750.00,
  "payment_method": "Credit Card",
  "reference": "TXN-12345",
  "date": "2024-02-20",
  "notes": "Paid via online portal"
}

Voiding an Invoice

PUT /api/v1/invoices/{id}
Content-Type: application/json

{
  "status": "void"
}

Common Workflows

Invoice Creation from Ticket

1. Review ticket time entries

   • Verify hours are accurate
   • Check billing rates

2. Create invoice

   • Associate with customer
   • Set appropriate dates

3. Add line items

   • Import from ticket
   • Add any additional charges

4. Review and send

   • Check totals
   • Email to customer

Recurring Invoice Workflow

1. Set up contract

   • Define billing frequency
   • Set amount and services

2. Auto-generate invoices

   • System creates drafts
   • Review before sending

3. Send and track

   • Email to customer
   • Monitor payment status

Payment Collection

1. Monitor aging

   • Review unpaid invoices
   • Identify overdue accounts

2. Send reminders

   • Automated or manual
   • Escalate as needed

3. Record payments

   • Enter when received
   • Update invoice status

4. Reconcile

   • Match to bank deposits
   • Handle partial payments

Month-End Billing

1. Review open tickets

   • Ensure time is entered
   • Close billable tickets

2. Generate invoices

   • Create for all customers
   • Include contract charges

3. Review drafts

   • Check accuracy
   • Verify line items

4. Send batch

   • Email all invoices
   • Log for records

Response Examples

Invoice Object

{
  "invoice": {
    "id": 5678,
    "number": "INV-2024-0042",
    "customer_id": 12345,
    "date": "2024-02-15",
    "due_date": "2024-03-15",
    "status": "sent",
    "subtotal": 750.00,
    "tax": 56.25,
    "total": 806.25,
    "balance": 806.25,
    "notes": "Thank you for your business!",
    "created_at": "2024-02-15T10:00:00Z",
    "line_items": [
      {
        "id": 1001,
        "name": "Managed Services - February 2024",
        "quantity": 1,
        "price": 500.00,
        "taxable": true,
        "total": 500.00
      },
      {
        "id": 1002,
        "name": "On-site support - 2 hours",
        "quantity": 2,
        "price": 125.00,
        "taxable": true,
        "total": 250.00
      }
    ]
  }
}

Payment Object

{
  "payment": {
    "id": 789,
    "invoice_id": 5678,
    "amount": 806.25,
    "payment_method": "Credit Card",
    "reference": "TXN-12345",
    "date": "2024-02-20",
    "notes": "Paid via online portal",
    "created_at": "2024-02-20T14:30:00Z"
  }
}

Error Handling

Common API Errors

Validation Errors

"customer_id is required" - Invoice must have a customer

"date is required" - Invoice must have a date

"Cannot modify paid invoice" - Void instead of editing

"Payment exceeds balance" - Check payment amount

Best Practices

1. Review before sending - Check all line items for accuracy
2. Set due dates - Clear expectations for payment
3. Use descriptive line items - Customers understand charges
4. Track partial payments - Record as received
5. Follow up promptly - Address overdue invoices quickly
6. Maintain documentation - Keep payment references
7. Reconcile regularly - Match to bank records
8. Use templates - Consistent professional appearance

Accounting Integration

Syncro integrates with popular accounting software:

• QuickBooks Online - Sync invoices and payments
• Xero - Two-way synchronization
• QuickBooks Desktop - Export capabilities

Related Skills

• Syncro Customers - Customer billing info
• Syncro Tickets - Time tracking for billing
• Syncro API Patterns - Authentication and pagination