Sales & Billing Dashboard: Invoices, Estimates, Receipts
Available in Quicken Business & Personal
Access anytime from the Sales & Billing section in the left navigation.
The Sales & Billing dashboard is your central workspace for managing customer transactions in Quicken Business & Personal. This is where you create, view, and track estimates, invoices, and sales receipts—the core documents that help you run your business professionally and keep your finances accurate.
Using the right document at the right time keeps your business organized and your financial records clear from day one.
Quick Decision Guide
Got paid on the spot? → Sales Receipt
Need to collect payment later? → Invoice
Customer wants a price first? → Estimate
What You Can Do Here
From the Sales & Billing dashboard, you can:
Create estimates, invoices, or sales receipts with one click
View customer transactions organized by document type
Track who owes you money and who has paid
Monitor issue dates and document status
Manage your full sales cycle from quote to payment
The dashboard groups activity into three tabs—Estimates, Invoices, and Receipts—so you can quickly find what you need and see your business activity at a glance.
Understanding Estimates, Invoices, and Sales Receipts
Think of these documents as the natural stages of working with customers.
Estimates — Before the work
“Here’s what it would cost.”
An estimate (also called a quote or proposal) gives a customer an expected price before any work begins. It’s not a bill and doesn’t affect your financial reports until it’s converted to an invoice.
Key characteristics:
Provided before the customer commits
Can be accepted, rejected, or negotiated
Not legally binding
Helps customers make decisions
Example: A landscaper provides a $2,500 estimate to redesign a backyard.
Invoices — After the work, before payment
“You owe this amount.”
An invoice is sent when work is complete (or products are delivered) and payment hasn’t been received yet. It creates Accounts Receivable—money your customer owes you.
Key characteristics:
Sent after delivery or completion
Includes payment terms (e.g., Net 15, Net 30)
Tracks outstanding balances
Requires follow-up until paid
Example: A graphic designer sends a $1,200 invoice with payment due in 15 days.
Sales Receipts — Payment happens immediately
“Paid in full.”
A sales receipt records a completed transaction where payment is received at the time of sale.
Key characteristics:
Payment received immediately
No balance owed afterward
Income recorded right away
Provides proof of purchase
Example: A coffee shop sells a latte and receives payment at checkout.
Why Choosing the Right Document Matters
Using the right transaction document at the right time keeps your records accurate and useful.
For your bookkeeping:
Invoices track who owes you money
Sales receipts record immediate income
Estimates don’t affect your books until converted
For your customers:
Professional documents build trust
Clear terms reduce payment disputes
Records support their own accounting
For tax and reporting:
Accurate income tracking
Clear documentation of business activity
Reliable audit trail if needed
For business decisions:
See which customers generate revenue
Track whether estimates convert to sales
Monitor cash flow and outstanding payments
When to Use Each Document
Use an Estimate when:
A customer is asking for pricing
Scope needs approval before work starts
The job is large, custom, or planned
Common examples: contractors, event planners, web developers, mechanics
Use an Invoice when:
Work is complete but payment will come later
You offer payment terms
You need to track who owes you money
Common examples: consultants, agencies, wholesalers, freelancers
Use a Sales Receipt when:
Payment is received immediately
The sale is completed on the spot
Common examples: retail, salons, food trucks, in-person services
Common Workflows
Estimate → Invoice → Payment
Customer requests pricing → estimate is accepted → work completed → invoice sent → payment recorded
Example: Photographer estimates $800 for a wedding, converts to invoice after the event, records payment when received.
Invoice → Payment
Work completed → invoice sent → payment recorded
Example: Monthly bookkeeping service invoices client at month-end; payment received later.
Direct Sale (Sales Receipt)
Product or service delivered → payment received → transaction complete
Example: Customer pays for grooming service at pickup; sales receipt records the transaction.
The Bottom Line
The Sales & Billing dashboard gives you one organized place to manage your entire sales process. Using estimates, invoices, and sales receipts correctly ensures your books stay accurate, your customers receive professional documentation, and you always know who owes you money—and who has already paid.
Start simple:
Got paid on the spot? → Sales Receipt
Need to collect payment later? → Invoice
Customer wants a price first? → Estimate