Difference Between a Purchase Order and an Invoice

Introduction

1. Both, a purchase order and an invoice are important business documents for business transactions.

2. Although they are quite similar, they have a few differences which must be understood clearly.

Purchase Order1. Purchase order is a document indicating types, quantity of

products and services being sold.2. It details the items the buyer agrees to purchase for a certain

price.3. It also includes the payment terms, shipment, other associated

terms and conditions.4. The customer sometimes creates a standing PO.5. The standing or blanket PO allows a company to order the

same product multiple times using the same PO number over an extended purchase period.

Purpose & Importance of a PO1. Purchase orders are typically used when a buyer wants to purchase

supplies or inventory on account.2. It is important as you and your team have instant visibility of incoming

stock; how much is coming and when is it due to turn up.3. A properly managed purchase order system will quickly tell you what’s

been ordered, shipped and received but not invoiced and so on.4. Besides that, creating POs in the system will help prevent ordering

more of an item than you may need.5. You can also match the delivered goods against what was ordered, to

prevent wrong delivery.6. Suppliers use PO’s to fulfil their orders and payment processing. An

online invoicing software makes it easy to send purchase orders to vendors online, in pre-designed

7. templates.

1. Invoice is a document issued by a seller to a buyer indicating items sold, prices, date of shipment, delivery and payment terms.

2. It is also called as a “bill”, “statement” or “sales invoice”.3. The term invoice indicates money the buyer owes to a seller.4. The invoice is also specified with the period of time after which

the buyer has to make payment to the seller for the goods and services they have purchased.

5. Modern-day invoices are transmitted online.

Invoice

Importance of an Invoice

1. Invoice is a document issued by a seller to a buyer indicating items sold, prices, date of shipment, delivery and payment terms.

2. It is also called as a “bill”, “statement” or “sales invoice”.3. The term invoice indicates money the buyer owes to a seller.4. The invoice is also specified with the period of time after which

the buyer has to make payment to the seller for the goods and services they have purchased.

5. Modern-day invoices are transmitted online.

Key Differences1. The purchase order is what the buyer prepares, while the

invoice is what the seller makes in lieu of the payment to be received.

2. The purchase order lists the quantity and the due date of delivery of goods, products or services purchased/ordered by the buyer, while an invoice has, on it the price of the goods, products or services being sold along with term and conditions and due date.

3. Both, purchase order and invoice have the same details except the technical mention for records viz.a.viz the shipping details, invoice number and purchase order number which is additional on the invoice.

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