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Start free trial →As a freelancer, you need to manage your business while complying with legal requirements. A freelance invoicing software allows you to create compliant invoices in just a few clicks, without risking missing any mandatory fields required by law.
Finance Manager Pro is designed specifically for UK and European freelancers: self-employed consultants, independent developers, designers, writers, photographers, and all independent workers who invoice their clients.
Did you know that a non-compliant invoice can result in significant penalties? Here are the mandatory fields that Finance Manager Pro adds automatically:
| Mandatory field | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Unique invoice number | INV-2025-001 | Mandatory accounting traceability |
| Invoice date | 15/01/2025 | Starting point for payment terms |
| Freelancer identity (name/company) | John Smith / Smith Ltd | Legal identification of issuer |
| Freelancer address | 12 Oxford Street, London W1D 1AN | Professional domiciliation |
| Company registration number | 12345678 | Mandatory business identification |
| VAT number | GB123456789 | If VAT registered |
| Client identity | ABC Company Ltd | Recipient identification |
| Client billing address | 45 Baker Street, London W1U 6TG | Legal billing address |
| Detailed service description | E-commerce website development | Exact nature of service provided |
| Quantity and unit price | 1 x £2,500 | Calculation breakdown |
| Subtotal (before VAT) | £2,500 | VAT calculation base |
| VAT rate | 20% | Legal rate in effect |
| VAT amount | £500 | VAT to remit to HMRC |
| Total amount (inc. VAT) | £3,000 | Amount to be paid by client |
| Payment terms | Payment due within 30 days | Legal payment deadline |
| Late payment penalties | 8% above Bank of England base rate | Protection in case of delay |
| Bank details | Sort code: 12-34-56, Account: 12345678 | Payment information |
If you're not VAT registered (turnover below £90,000), you must include the note: "VAT not applicable - small business exemption". Finance Manager Pro adds this automatically based on your status.
Create a compliant invoice in less than 2 minutes. Select your client, add your services, and generate a professional PDF ready to send.
Centralize all your client information (contact details, billing history, amounts paid) in a secure database.
Automate monthly invoice creation for your regular clients. Save time on repetitive tasks.
View at a glance which invoices are paid, pending, or overdue. Automatically remind clients by email.
Track your revenue, collections, and receivables in real-time. Make better business decisions.
All your invoices automatically comply with UK regulations. Zero risk of penalties during tax audits.
Here are the steps to create a professional freelance invoice with Finance Manager Pro:
Finance Manager Pro offers simple and transparent pricing for freelancers:
All plans include: compliant invoices, client management, payment tracking, accounting export, and email support.
Many freelancers wonder whether to choose free invoicing software or paid. Here are the differences:
Our recommendation: Free software may be sufficient if you issue less than 5 invoices per month. Beyond that, investing £7-15/month in professional software saves you time and avoids costly errors.
| Software | Price/month | Unlimited invoices | UK compliant | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance Manager Pro | £8 | ✅ Yes (from £15) | ✅ Guaranteed | ✅ Yes |
| FreeAgent | £24 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| QuickBooks | £12-35 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Xero | £12-37 | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Wave | Free | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Partial | ❌ Limited |
No, you can create your invoices in Word or Excel. However, dedicated software guarantees legal compliance, saves you time, and facilitates payment tracking. From 10 invoices per month, software becomes essential.
No, a company registration number is mandatory on all invoices in the UK. You must first register your business (sole trader, limited company, etc.) to obtain a registration number from Companies House.
You should send your invoice as soon as the service is completed or on the date agreed in your contract. For long projects, you can invoice in stages (30% on order, 70% on delivery for example).
The standard payment term is 30 days from the invoice date. You can negotiate shorter terms (14 days, payment on receipt) but not longer without written agreement.
Finance Manager Pro allows you to:
Only if your turnover exceeds £90,000 (VAT threshold). Below this, you can remain VAT-exempt and must mention on your invoice: "VAT not applicable - small business exemption". Finance Manager Pro handles this automatically based on your status.
No, an issued invoice cannot be modified. If you made an error, you must issue a credit note to cancel the first one, then create a new correct invoice. Finance Manager Pro facilitates this procedure.
You must keep your invoices for 6 years (for tax purposes). Finance Manager Pro automatically saves all your invoices in the cloud, accessible anytime.
Join 2,500+ freelancers using Finance Manager Pro to create compliant invoices in 2 minutes.
Start free trial →No credit card required • Guaranteed compliance • English support