# Principal Invoices

_User Guide › Financial_

![Principal Invoices](https://atloriaassets.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a438221c-c1af-407c-b9e6-a56c986db846/100fd56d4c847c42b818c497a572832a.png)
*Finance record*

## Overview

Use the Principal Invoices form to review and save principal invoice records in the Finance area. Finance officers use this form as part of the invoice lifecycle, which progresses from **Draft** through approval processing to **Approved, Upcoming, Due**, and **Paid**.

Use the invoice list to identify the required record by its job number, invoice number, client, principal, invoice date, shipment date, or note. Then work with the record in the Finance record form and save the completed changes.

## Before you start

- Ensure that you have access to **Finance** and **Account Invoices**.
- Ensure that the principal invoice record is available in the invoice list.
- Complete the required invoice information before requesting approval. An approval request can proceed only when invoice validation is valid.

> **Note:** Approval-based processing applies when the approval process is enabled for the invoice.

## Steps

1. Select **Finance** from the main navigation.

   ![Principal Invoices](https://atloriaassets.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a438221c-c1af-407c-b9e6-a56c986db846/b07f423e8f2252e7e9559f6c776694d0.png)
*Principal Invoices*

2. Select **Account Invoices** to open the invoice workspace.

3. Select **All** to review all available invoice records, or select **Sales Invoices** when you need to work with sales-related invoices.

4. Locate the required principal invoice by reviewing the available record information, including job number, invoice number, client, principal, invoice date, shipment date, and note.

   ![Principal Invoices](https://atloriaassets.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a438221c-c1af-407c-b9e6-a56c986db846/c8c0191645ce59d11733218fe10630e0.png)
*Principal Invoices*

5. Work with the required principal invoice in the Finance record form.

6. Select **Save** to save the changes made to the principal invoice.

7. Select **Save and Close** when you have completed the review and want to save the record and leave the form.

8. Follow the invoice lifecycle as required:
   - Start with the invoice in **Draft**.
   - Use **Request for approve invoice** when the invoice is ready for approval. The request can proceed only when invoice validation is valid.
   - After approval processing, the invoice becomes **Approved** and can continue to **Upcoming, Due**, and **Paid**.
   - Use **Consider As Paid** only when the principal invoice is completely paid.
   - Use **Consider As Not Paid** when payment status must be reconsidered.
   - Use **Consider as not approved** when approval status must be reconsidered before the invoice is bound by related invoices.

> **Warning:** Before using **Consider As Paid**, verify that the principal invoice is completely paid.

> **Warning:** Do not attempt to change or revert a principal invoice when binding invoices exist. The application can prevent changes or reversal in this situation.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The invoice cannot proceed through approval processing. | Invoice validation is not valid. | Complete and validate the required invoice information before using **Request for approve invoice**. |
| You cannot change the principal invoice. | Binding invoices exist. | Do not make changes to the principal invoice while it is bound by related invoices. |
| You cannot revert the principal invoice. | Binding invoices exist. | Keep the invoice in its current state because reversal is not allowed when binding invoices exist. |
| You are asked whether the invoice is completely paid. | You selected **Consider As Paid**. | Confirm that the full principal invoice amount has been paid before proceeding. |

## Result

The principal invoice record is saved and can continue through its applicable approval, due, and payment lifecycle.

## Related pages

- [Letters Of Guaranties](doc:finance-letters-of-guaranties-view-record)
- [Financial — Overview](doc:financial-overview)
- [Financial — Learning Path](doc:workflows-financial)
- [Getting Started with Financial](doc:financial-getting-started)
- [Bank Guaranties](doc:bank-guaranties)
- [Payments](doc:finance-payments-edit-record)
- [Receivables](doc:receivables-guide)
- [Invoice](doc:finance-invoices-view-record)
- [Account Invoice](doc:finance-invoices-account-invoice-new)