Remittance Advice

Basics

A note sent by a buyer to a seller confirming that an invoice has been paid and identifying which invoices the payment covers.

Detailed Explanation

A remittance advice tells the seller's accounts receivable team which invoices a particular bank transfer, ACH, or check is meant to settle. Without it, payments arrive in the seller's bank account with only a reference number, making reconciliation slow and error-prone. A typical remittance advice lists the payer, payment date, payment method, total amount sent, and a breakdown of invoice numbers and amounts being paid (including any deductions for credit notes or discounts). Modern accounting tools can generate and email a remittance advice automatically, often as a PDF attachment to the payment notification.

Examples

  • A buyer emails a remittance advice listing five invoice numbers totaling $12,400 alongside the wire transfer
  • A monthly remittance advice covering rent and utility invoices, sent with the ACH payment

Quick Q&A

What is Remittance Advice?

A note sent by a buyer to a seller confirming that an invoice has been paid and identifying which invoices the payment covers.

What does "Remittance Advice" mean?

A remittance advice tells the seller's accounts receivable team which invoices a particular bank transfer, ACH, or check is meant to settle. Without it, payments arrive in the seller's bank account with only a reference number, making reconciliation slow and error-prone. A typical remittance advice lists the payer, payment date, payment method, total amount sent, and a breakdown of invoice numbers and amounts being paid (including any deductions for credit notes or discounts). Modern accounting tools can generate and email a remittance advice automatically, often as a PDF attachment to the payment notification.

When is Remittance Advice used?

A buyer emails a remittance advice listing five invoice numbers totaling $12,400 alongside the wire transfer ; A monthly remittance advice covering rent and utility invoices, sent with the ACH payment

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