Short Answer
To automate invoice generation for recurring subscriptions, the best approach is to purchase and implement a specialized subscription billing system that will invoice customers monthly or annually. Subscription billing systems can be set up to run autonomously, calculating charges based on pricing, discounts, and product metadata, then issuing invoices based on payment schedules and subscription terms.
Trigger Logic / Key Formula
Invoice Generation = (Contract start + Billing frequency) → + (Product catalog line items + pricing and discounts) → → Automated billing job issues invoice based on payment schedule and contract term
How It Works
Recurring invoice automation starts with a complete subscription record. Each account should include:
- Billing frequency (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually)
- Products, plans, or bundles
- Quantity, unit price, and discount rules
- Contract term and effective dates
- Billing contact details and delivery preferences
Once configured, the system automatically handles the workflow:
- Identifies all active subscriptions due for invoicing within the scheduled window.
- Calculates recurring and usage-based charges.
- Applies pricing logic, taxes, and customer-specific rules.
- Generates invoices and sends them via email, portal, or export.
- Logs invoice delivery and supports reporting or audit processes.
Real-World Example
A SaaS platform running 500+ subscriptions automated invoicing with scheduled billing runs tied to each contract’s billing frequency. By doing so, they eliminated 30+ hours/month of manual invoice prep and reduced billing errors by over 90%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most billing systems consolidate both types of charges into a single invoice.
Yes. You can configure invoice timing as in advance, arrears, or with custom offsets.
The system will generate a new invoice based on the renewal terms and continue the billing schedule.
Want to automate recurring invoicing across all your subscriptions? Explore Ordway’s billing platform
