Invoicing Preferences is the configuration section where you determine how invoices and advances are created, calculated and processed within Zero Friction.
You can find this section via Configuration → Billing → Preferences
This configuration is essential for a correct and consistent billing flow, because it records:
or invoices are automatically created and approved
how and when advances are calculated
which standard VAT codes are applied
whether invoices may be exported in UBL format
Correctly configured billing preferences prevent manual corrections, incorrect advance payments, and delays in billing processes.
What does this part show?
The Billing - Preferences page consists of two main sections:
General settings for invoice creation and processing
Advances settings for calculating and creating advances
Layout
1. General
This section determines how invoices are generated and processed.
Automatic invoice approval
Enabled: Invoices are approved immediately after creation
Disabled: Invoices remain pending manual approval
Delay in creation
Number of days after the invoice checkpoint date before invoices and final notes are created
Default value: 1 day
UBL export
Enables export of invoices in UBL format
Cannot be disabled when e-invoicing (Peppol or ChorusPro) is active
Disable automatic billing
When enabled, invoices will not be generated automatically
Intended for organizations that create invoices manually
2. Advance settings
This section determines how advances are calculated and created.
Automatic advance payment calculation
Enables or disables automatic recalculation of advances
Recalculation takes place with every periodic invoice
Calculation method
Based on previous invoice
Based on estimated invoice (only visible with active invoice estimate)
Accuracy threshold
Only visible when automatically calculated based on estimate
Options: Low, Medium, High
Default: Medium
Bandwidth (Range)
Determines when a new advance payment amount is actually applied
Standard:
Lower limit: 25% decrease
Upper limit: 10% increase
Minimum advance payment amount (excl. VAT)
Advances below this amount will not be created
Advance payments retained on invoice/final bill
Unpaid advances are not automatically settled
Pre-create
Number of days before the start date on which an advance payment is created
Standard VAT codes
Organization customers: mandatory VAT code
Residential customers: mandatory VAT code
Actions
Users may, depending on their rights:
change and save settings
enable or disable automatic advance payment calculation
switch between calculation methods
adjust bandwidths and thresholds
Changes are applied immediately after saving.
Behaviors & Logic
Automatic invoice approval
Enabled: Invoice → Instantly Approved
Disabled: Invoice → waiting for manual approval
Delay in creation
The system:
determines the checkpoint date (period start or end)
counts the set number of days
then creates the invoice
Automatic advance payment calculation
The system calculates a new amount
Checks the bandwidth
Only adjusts when thresholds are exceeded
Checks the minimum advance payment amount
E-invoicing
When Peppol or ChorusPro is activated, UBL export is automatically enabled and locked
Problem | Solution |
UBL export is disabled but not customizable | Check if e-invoicing is active |
Advance payment does not change despite new calculation | Check whether the difference falls within the set bandwidth |
Advance payment is not created | Check minimum advance payment amount |
Estimated calculation not visible | Invoice estimate is not activated |
Fields are not editable | Check if you have editing rights |
Error message when saving | Check required VAT codes and valid values |
Invoices are not created automatically | Check if automatic billing is turned off |
Changes do not appear to have been applied | Refresh page for real-time sync |
What happens if there is a 0-day production delay?
The invoice is created on the checkpoint date itself.
Why doesn't my advance payment change automatically?
The calculation will likely remain within the set bandwidth.
What is the difference between Low, Medium and High?
This indicates how reliable the invoice estimate is.
Can I use fixed amounts instead of percentages?
No, this is currently not available in the user interface.
What happens if the minimum advance payment amount changes?
Existing advances will remain; new ones below the minimum will not be created.
When do changes become active?
Immediately after saving.
Advance – Advance payment based on estimated consumption
Checkpoint Date – Date that determines when an invoice is created
Final invoice – Final invoice at the end of the contract or period
UBL – XML standard for electronic invoices
Bandwidth – Threshold within which advances are not adjusted
Invoice Estimate – Functionality that predicts future invoice amounts
VAT Code – Definition of VAT rate and tax rules
Automatic Invoicing – System process that creates invoices without manual action