What is Central invoicing?

Zentralfakturierung ist ein Abrechnungsmodell, bei dem Lieferantenrechnungen zentral erfasst, positions- bzw. artikelgenau aufgeteilt und anschließend umfakturiert werden. Das Ziel: eine durchgängige, nachvollziehbare zentrale Abrechnung von der Lieferantenabrechnung bis zur Weiterberechnung an die Mitglieder. 

Central invoicing processes invoice data in a way that ensures billing is consistent, auditable, and scalable. 

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Central invoicing vs. central settlement 
Which solution fits?

Many purchasing groups are asking: Central settlement or central invoicing?
Both models relieve the organisation, but the focus is different.

Centralised settlement

In central settlement, the focus is on invoice processing, payment transactions, and (depending on the model) other building blocks such as risk management. Invoice flow, payment dates, and clearing are defined individually.

Central invoicing

In central invoicing, the focus is on automated billing through:

    • Itemised apportionment of supplier invoices
    • Recharging member companies
    • consistent data and process logic for billing in consortium groups

If a corporate group primarily requires precise, centrally controlled cost reallocation (item by item), central invoicing is often the more suitable solution.

This is how central invoicing works with SGH

SGH adapts the processing to your processes and standardises where stable, scalable billing is created:

  • Goods inwards and supplier invoice capture
    Paper-based or digital: invoices are centrally transferred for processing
  • Review, structuring and invoicing workflow
    Rules, master data, line item data, and assignments make the invoice processable, supported by a clean invoice workflow.
  • Item-specific breakdown to member companies
    Der Kernnutzen liegt in der eindeutigen und artikelgenauen Zuordnung der Rechnungsdaten zum jeweiligen Mitgliedsunternehmen.
  • Re-invoicing and preparation for booking and evaluations
    The re-invoiced receipts are available in a structured format, including data transfer for accounting and reporting.

Result: You can optimise billing processes, reduce manual work and set up your central billing as a scalable process.

Advantages of central invoicing for consortia and
trade

  • Greater transparency in consolidated invoicing

    Durch die zentrale, standardisierte Aufteilung wird die Handelsabrechnung transparent und nachvollziehbar. Es ist klar ersichtlich, wer was bezogen hat, wie sich die jeweilige Berechnung zusammensetzt und welche positionsindividuellen Zu- und Abschläge berücksichtigt wurden. So bleibt die Abrechnung artikelgenau und konsistent.

  • Less effort in invoice management

    Central invoicing reduces manual tasks in invoice management and eases related processes in accounts payable and accounts receivable management.

  • Scalability through automated billing

    Automated settlement is crucial, particularly for growing corporate groups: processes remain stable even as document volumes and the number of suppliers increase.

  • More planable payment and liquidity management

    Clear billing structures make payment management more predictable and strengthen robust liquidity management.

Document management and digital invoice processing as a foundation

Central invoicing stands and falls with clean receipts and data. Therefore, the model can be ideally combined with the following modules:

  • Document Management: Less paper, more process security
  • Digital invoice processing: efficient workflows and strong service competence
  • Invoice archiving: Online access, traceable documentation

So position your composite group as a modern organisation with a reliable technology and process partner.

 Typical use cases for central billing

  • Associations with many members and complex supplier billing
  • high demand for item-specific assignment (positions/product groups/locations)
  • Desire for standardization and automation of billing
  • Growth situations where billing needs to „grow along“

Central invoicing with SGH: standardise and scale billing

Would you like to simplify your consolidated billing, standardise billing, and efficiently distribute supplier invoices to member companies?

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More on the topic

  • Centralised settlement
    To central regulation Read more
  • Del credere commission
    To undertaking of del credere Read more
  • Document Management
    Regarding document management Read more
  • Payment processing in central regulation
    For payment processing in central settlement Read more

Frequently asked questions about Central invoicing

The biggest advantage of centralized billing is the improved overview and control it provides.

The item-by-item allocation and re-invoicing of supplier invoices to member companies as a continuous, central billing process.

Who is central invoicing suitable for?

For consolidated groups requiring precise, scalable central billing and wishing to optimise their billing processes, especially with high document and item volumes.

Central billing or central settlement – which is better?

That depends on the objective: If precise itemised invoicing is the priority, central invoicing is often sensible. If the focus is on payment control/regulation, central settlement may be a better fit.

Central invoicing reduces manual effort by automating tasks such as data entry, invoice checking, and payment processing, thereby streamlining the entire invoicing cycle.

Through standardisation, rules in the accounting workflow, and structured data provision for booking and analysis.