NetSuite Billing Account Schedule...

Billing accounts use charge-based billing schedules with fixed bill dates or anniversary bill dates. Fixed schedules generate invoices on a set date, while anniversary schedules generate invoices annually from the billing account start date. Users with edit permission can change a future next bill cycle date from the available list, within the documented recurring-invoice constraint.

What billing schedule patterns are available?

Billing accounts use charge-based billing schedules. The available recurrence patterns determine the basis for invoice timing.

Schedule pattern	Invoice timing basis	Documented use
Fixed bill date	Bill date, frequency, recurrence frequency, and repeat every settings	Invoicing on a specific day of the month or another set frequency
Anniversary bill date	Billing account start date, frequency, recurrence frequency, and repeat every settings	Invoicing on the same date each year as the service start date

A fixed bill date schedule generates invoices on a set date. An anniversary bill date schedule generates invoices annually. The selected pattern therefore matters when the billing account needs either a set billing date or an annual date tied to the account start date.

How are dates handled in shorter months?

A schedule can use a date that does not occur in every month. In that case, the billing schedule adjusts the bill date to the last day of the month. For example, a schedule set to bill on the 31st bills on February 28 or April 30 when those months have fewer days.

This adjustment applies to the billing schedule date itself. Review the schedule's chosen bill date when a monthly calendar does not contain that day.

How can you change a future billing date?

Changing the next bill cycle date requires edit permissions for billing accounts.

Go to a saved billing account with a billing schedule.
In the Next Bill Cycle Date list, change the date for the next bill cycle.

The list shows possible dates for advancing the billing date, up to 10 billing cycles. It also permits moving the next bill date back, but only to the next date after the last recurring invoice. Oracle gives the example of a bill run generated too early: the next bill date can be moved back so bills can run for the first bill cycle date.

What limits apply when moving the date back?

The backward-date option is limited by the last recurring invoice. The next bill date can move back only as far as the next date after that invoice. This is distinct from advancing a date, where the list presents possible dates up to 10 billing cycles ahead.

Who This Affects

Users working with billing accounts that have billing schedules
Users who need to change the next bill cycle date
Roles that have edit permissions for billing accounts
Billing accounts using fixed bill date or anniversary bill date schedules

Key Takeaways

Billing accounts use charge-based billing schedules.
Fixed bill date schedules use a set bill date; anniversary bill date schedules invoice annually from the billing account start date.
A date such as the 31st adjusts to the last day of months that do not contain that date.
Changing Next Bill Cycle Date requires billing account edit permission.
The available list can advance billing dates up to 10 cycles, while moving a date back is limited to the next date after the last recurring invoice.

Frequently Asked Questions (4)

When should I use a fixed bill date schedule versus an anniversary bill date schedule?

Use a fixed bill date schedule when you need invoices on a specific day of the month or another set frequency; it uses the bill date, frequency, recurrence frequency, and repeat every settings. Use an anniversary bill date schedule when you want invoicing tied to the billing account start date so invoices recur annually on the same date each year.

How does NetSuite handle a billing schedule date that doesn’t exist in a shorter month (for example, the 31st)?

If the schedule uses a date that does not occur in a month, the billing schedule adjusts the bill date to the last day of that month. For example, a schedule set to bill on the 31st will bill on February 28 or April 30 when those months have fewer days.

What permissions are required to change the Next Bill Cycle Date, and how do users make that change?

Changing the Next Bill Cycle Date requires edit permission for billing accounts. To change it, open a saved billing account with a billing schedule and select a new date from the Next Bill Cycle Date list, which shows allowable future dates.

What limits apply when advancing or moving back the Next Bill Cycle Date?

The list allows advancing the next bill date up to 10 billing cycles ahead. Moving the date back is limited by the last recurring invoice — you can only move it back as far as the next date after that invoice (for example, to correct a bill run that occurred too early).

NetSuite Billing Account Schedule Dates and Cycles