What is the Difference Between Invoice and Statement?

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The main difference between an invoice and a statement lies in their purpose and the scope of information they provide. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Purpose: An invoice is sent to request payment for a specific transaction, while a statement is sent to provide a summary of account activity and inform the customer about their outstanding balance.
  2. Scope: An invoice covers a single transaction, providing detailed information about the products or services purchased, their prices, and taxes. On the other hand, a statement covers multiple transactions and shows the overall account activity during a specific time period.
  3. Details: Invoices include more specific details about the sale, such as the item description, individual prices, and quantities. In contrast, statements provide a grand total due for each invoice and offer an itemized list and grand total.
  4. Timing: Invoices are sent at the completion of any sale, while statements follow regular intervals, usually monthly.
  5. Payment Terms: Invoices include payment terms, whereas statements display the outstanding balance and do not provide payment terms.

In summary, an invoice is a detailed, formal document that serves as a request for payment for a specific transaction, while a statement is a more comprehensive, informal document that shows the overall account activity and reminds the customer of their outstanding balance.

Comparative Table: Invoice vs Statement

Here is a table comparing the differences between an invoice and a statement:

Feature Invoice Statement
Purpose Request payment for a specific transaction Provide an overview of account activity for a specific period
Intention Made with the intention of getting paid Made with the intention of keeping both parties in the loop about the total amount due
Development Developed whenever projects are done, milestones are achieved, or at the end of the month Occur in timely intervals, mostly at the end of the month
Content More detailed, includes information about sales taxes, discounts, etc. Less detailed, shows an itemized list of transactions for the statement period
Timing Relates to a specific transaction Covers multiple transactions and provides a summary of transactions within a specific period
Payment Terms Includes payment terms for the specific transaction Does not include payment terms for individual transactions
Invoice Number Yes, one unique invoice number No, includes a list of invoices with their respective numbers
Company Branding Yes, usually includes company logo and branding No, or limited branding

Both invoices and statements are important documents for any business, as they help track transactions and maintain bookkeeping records. However, they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.