ERPNext Financial Recording Guide

Department

Finance

Summary

Defines the exact ERPNext document types, flows, and account structures Finance uses to record income and expenses. Covers four transaction types: income (Quotation → Sales Order → Sales Invoice → Payment Entry, or Sales Invoice directly in some cases), expenses (Purchase Invoice → Payment Entry), owner/investor-funded transactions (Journal Entry), and salary (HR module → Journal Entry). Finance owns all ERPNext data entry.

Table of Contents


Purpose

This guide defines how Finance records income and expenses in ERPNext using the correct document types and flows. It ensures that the ERPNext ledger is accurate, consistent, and auditable.

Outcome
Every income and expense is recorded in ERPNext using the correct document type, with supporting proof linked, so financial reports reflect actual transactions.

Scope

Included
1Income from clients (service and sales)
2Business expenses (purchases, operating costs)
3Transactions funded by an owner or investor
4Employee salary recording
Not Included
1Invoice issuance and payment confirmation workflow (see Invoicing & Payment Operations Guideline)
2Chart of accounts configuration or ERPNext system setup

Definitions

TermDefinition
Sales OrderAn ERPNext document that records a confirmed order when the client accepts a quotation. Created from Quotation; Sales Invoice is typically created from Sales Order. In some cases Sales Invoice may be created directly.
Sales InvoiceAn ERPNext document that records income owed by a client. Used for all billable services and products. Typically created from Sales Order; may be created directly in some cases.
Purchase InvoiceAn ERPNext document that records an expense owed to a supplier. Used for all business purchases.
Payment EntryAn ERPNext document that records the actual movement of money (bank transfer, cash). Always linked to a Sales Invoice or Purchase Invoice to mark it as paid.
Journal Entry (JE)An ERPNext double-entry accounting document used for transactions that do not follow the standard invoice-payment flow, such as owner/investor funding or salary accruals.
Owner/Investor-Funded TransactionA business expense or income event where an owner or investor directly pays or receives money on behalf of the company, without going through the company bank account. Recorded via Journal Entry.
Salary SlipAn ERPNext HR module document that computes an employee’s monthly salary, deductions, and net pay.
GL EntryA General Ledger entry auto-generated by ERPNext when a document is submitted. The source of truth for financial reports.

Operating Model

Operating Model
1Asana is the system of record for work tracking, approvals, and handoffs.
2Use checkpoints and decision points: don’t move forward until the previous step is “done”, and branches are explicit.
3Handoff order: upstream defines handoff artifacts/exit criteria; downstream defines execution after handoff.

Account Structure

ERPNext uses a chart of accounts to classify every transaction. Finance must post to the correct account type.

Income Accounts

AccountUsed For
Sales - KRevenue from product sales to clients
Service - KRevenue from service delivery (design, development, consulting)
Indirect Income - KOther income not from core operations

Expense Accounts (Common)

AccountUsed For
Cost of Goods Sold - KDirect costs of products sold (hardware, software licenses resold)
Salaries - KEmployee base salary
Overtime Expense - KEmployee overtime pay
Staff Welfare - KStaff meals, welfare, and team benefits
Office Supplies - KConsumables and stationery
Hosting and Domain - KServer hosting, domain registration and renewal
Software Subscription - KSaaS tools and platform subscriptions
Communication Expense - KPhone, internet, and communication costs
Travel and Transportation - KBusiness travel, fuel, and transport
Training Expense - KStaff training and courses
Bank Charges - KBank transfer fees and service charges
Round Off - KMinor rounding adjustments from bank transactions

Key Rule

#Rule
1Income is recorded as a credit to an income account via Sales Invoice
2Expenses are recorded as a debit to an expense account via Purchase Invoice
3Journal Entries must always balance (total debits = total credits)

Transaction Type 1: Income

Use this flow when Kiluth receives payment from a client for services or products.

Sales flow (typical): Quotation → Sales Order (on client acceptance) → Sales Invoice → Payment Entry. In some cases Sales Invoice may be created directly (e.g. scoping fee, MA, hosting).

Flow

StepERPNext Action
1Client payment is confirmed
2Create and submit Sales InvoiceSelling → Sales Invoices → New (from Sales Order when one exists, or directly)
3Create Payment Entry from the submitted Sales InvoiceOpen invoice → Create → Payment Entry
4Submit Payment EntryMarks invoice as paid in the ledger

Key Fields (Sales Invoice)

FieldWhat to Enter
CustomerSelect or create the client
Posting DateDate the income is recognized
ItemsAdd line items (description, quantity, rate) mapped to correct income account
CurrencyTHB (default) unless otherwise agreed

Key Fields (Payment Entry)

FieldWhat to Enter
Payment TypeReceive
PartyThe client (Customer)
Paid AmountAmount received
ReferenceThe Sales Invoice number
Payment DateActual date payment was received in bank
Outcome
Sales Invoice is submitted and marked as paid. Income GL entry is created under the correct income account.

Transaction Type 2: Expense

Use this flow when Kiluth pays a supplier or vendor for a business expense.

Flow

StepERPNext Action
1Purchase or expense is confirmed
2Create and submit Purchase InvoiceBuying → Purchase Invoices → New
3Create Payment Entry from the submitted Purchase InvoiceOpen invoice → Create → Payment Entry
4Submit Payment EntryMarks invoice as paid in the ledger

Key Fields (Purchase Invoice)

FieldWhat to Enter
SupplierSelect or create the vendor
Posting DateDate the expense is recognized
ItemsAdd line items mapped to the correct expense account (e.g. Cost of Goods Sold - K, Software Subscription - K)
Is ReturnCheck this if recording a purchase return or credit note

Key Fields (Payment Entry)

FieldWhat to Enter
Payment TypePay
PartyThe supplier
Paid AmountAmount paid
ReferenceThe Purchase Invoice number
Payment DateActual date payment left the bank account

Purchase Returns

If a purchase is returned or a credit note is issued:

Rule
1Create a new Purchase Invoice with Is Return checked
2Link to the original invoice using the Return Against field
3The return reduces the net expense in the GL automatically
Outcome
Purchase Invoice is submitted and marked as paid. Expense GL entry is created under the correct expense account.

Transaction Type 3: Owner/Investor-Funded Transaction

Use this flow when an owner or investor directly pays a business expense or receives a business income on behalf of the company — without the money passing through the company’s bank account. This does not replace the standard invoice flow; it records the funding event as an internal obligation.

When to Use

ScenarioExample
Owner pays a supplier directly from personal fundsOwner pays a software subscription with a personal card
Owner receives a client payment on behalf of the companyClient transfers money to owner’s personal account
Expense is incurred but not yet paid by the companyAccruing a cost the company owes to the owner

Flow

StepERPNext Action
1Confirm the transaction details and amount
2Create a Journal EntryAccounts → Journal Entry → New
3Add the debit line (what was spent or received)Debit the relevant expense or income account
4Add the credit line (who funded it)Credit the owner/investor’s loan or capital account
5Attach the supporting proof (receipt, screenshot, bank record)Attach in the JE attachments field
6Submit the Journal Entry

Journal Entry Structure (Owner Pays an Expense)

AccountDebitCredit
[Expense Account - K] (e.g. Software Subscription - K)Amount
[Owner/Investor Loan Account - K]Amount

Journal Entry Structure (Owner Receives Income)

AccountDebitCredit
[Owner/Investor Loan Account - K]Amount
[Income Account - K] (e.g. Service - K)Amount

Key Fields (Journal Entry)

FieldWhat to Enter
Posting DateDate the transaction actually occurred
Entry TypeJournal Entry
User RemarkShort description: what the transaction is and why it was owner-funded
ReferenceLink to Asana task or supporting document in the remark field
Outcome
The expense or income is recorded in the correct GL account. The company’s obligation to (or from) the owner/investor is tracked in the loan/capital account.

Transaction Type 4: Salary

Use this flow when recording monthly employee salary. ERPNext uses the HR module for payroll computation, which then generates accounting entries via Journal Entry.

Flow

StepERPNext Action
1Ensure employee records and salary structures are set up in HRHR → Employee, Salary Structure
2Process payroll for the monthHR → Process Payroll → Create Salary Slips
3Review and submit Salary Slips for each employeeHR → Salary Slips
4Submit the payroll Journal EntryERPNext auto-generates a JE on submission; review and submit
5If salary is paid from owner/investor funds (not company bank), record a separate JESee Transaction Type 3

Key Fields (Salary Slip)

FieldWhat to Enter
EmployeeSelect the employee
Posting DateLast day of the salary month
Salary StructureThe applicable structure for this employee
Earnings / DeductionsVerify computed amounts before submitting

GL Impact

AccountDebitCredit
Salaries - K (or Overtime Expense - K)Net salary amount
Payable / Bank AccountNet salary amount
Outcome
Salary is recorded in the Salaries expense account. The payroll Journal Entry reflects the correct debit to salary accounts and credit to payable or bank.

Checklist (Finance Use)

Transaction Type 1: Income

Checklist
1☐ Sales Invoice is created with correct customer, date, items, and income account
2☐ Sales Invoice is submitted
3☐ Payment Entry is created and linked to the Sales Invoice
4☐ Payment Entry is submitted with correct payment date and amount

Transaction Type 2: Expense

Checklist
1☐ Purchase Invoice is created with correct supplier, date, items, and expense account
2☐ Purchase Invoice is submitted
3☐ If return: Is Return is checked and Return Against is linked
4☐ Payment Entry is created and linked to the Purchase Invoice
5☐ Payment Entry is submitted with correct payment date and amount

Transaction Type 3: Owner/Investor-Funded Transaction

Checklist
1☐ Journal Entry debit and credit lines are correct and balanced
2☐ Posting date matches the actual transaction date
3☐ Supporting proof is attached (receipt, screenshot, bank record)
4☐ User remark describes the transaction clearly
5☐ Journal Entry is submitted

Transaction Type 4: Salary

Checklist
1☐ Salary Slips are generated for all employees for the correct month
2☐ Earnings and deductions are verified before submission
3☐ Salary Slips are submitted
4☐ Payroll Journal Entry is submitted
5☐ If owner/investor-funded: separate JE is recorded per Transaction Type 3