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[matwek]

Not sure if any of you guys can help with this.

Basically I've been working freelance for a few years now and I've always used a particular invoice numbering system, but now that I have much more clients its starting to get a little confusing.

Is it ok to switch to a new numbering system and just start from scratch at the start of the financial year?

[bdsowers]

In my experience, forums are a pretty bad place to get legal / accounting advice. Even good-natured, competent people say very wrong things very confidently.

If you have doubts, talk to a lawyer or accountant or HR specialist or whichever professional handles this sort of thing. I know that's the ultimate non-answer, but it's also your best and safest bet.

[Garrent]

Yes it's okay to switch systems as long as each invoice has a unique identifier.

[matwek]

In my experience, forums are a pretty bad place to get legal / accounting advice. Even good-natured, competent people say very wrong things very confidently.

I did have my concerns over that sort of thing, but I kind of already assumed that invoice numbers weren't a massive deal. Just something I would get a slap on the wrist for not following the rules, rather than a fine or something.

Yes it's okay to switch systems as long as each invoice has a unique identifier.

Thanks. I though it would at least wait till we started the new financial year in an attempt to keep it as neat as possible.

[WildFactor]

In France you should have a sequential invoice number. But You can have category based on the work type/client etc..

http://www.contractoruk.com/successful_contracting/whats_best_way_number_my_invoices.html
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/threads/invoice-numbering.144701/

In France I think the sequential number is needed to forbid you of making invoice afterward. My instinct would be that It may not gives you any trouble of modifying your number system. But I'm only a French business owner

[OkijinGames]

You can check directly with UK gov:

https://www.gov.uk/invoicing-and-taking-payment-from-customers/overview
https://www.gov.uk/vat-record-keeping/overview

Basically, if you have a VAT registered business you need to use sequential and unique numbers on your invoices. You can run sequential numbers based on one or more series - so yes, running a new unique sequence is perfectly fine.

[alexp]

I think its fine as long as you match the invoice to the amount coming in on your accounting system.