We are having a big problem dealing with "LINE ITEM" ids.

Most of our AR reports show line item info, rather than invoice info. For example an aged AR report shows line items and line item i.d.s. This causes us more work, and I don't see that I have the option to change this. This is even more troubling when running statements. The statements will show what "line items" are past due, and show the line item id. A customer does not understand "Line item" and would not enter an invoice payable via line item i.d. They would reference an invoice by invoice number. If a customer receives a monthly statement showing these line item i.d.s - we get phone calls asking us what that is. They can't look in their accounting system to inquire if a certain invoice number is paid because our statements don't provide them with the invoice numbers. This is very frustrating.

This sounds like you need help from a consultant that can work in Crystal reports to write the statements and invoices you need. I had that done when we were intially set up on FE. Contact Blackbaud and see about having someone write them for you. That is my suggestion, hope it helps. Sonja Flockhart CJEE Financial Officer

We're having a really hard implementing the AR module. Our users did the four-hour online training but it wasn't very helpful. I'm trying to find a local consultant to actually teach us how to use it but all I can find is RE consultants. I guess I'll have to go through Blackbaud but it kills me because I feel like their guides and training is purposely lousy so you have to go to them for consulting. Well, that's my rant. My question is how long did it take the BB consultant to solve your problem and was it on-site? Thanks!

Joanne, where are you located?

Joanne, I may be able to help you. Star Lanigan (708) 386-0127 x141 [Email Removed]

I just implemented the AR module and am having the same problem. Did you get it fixed? Joni

Joni, We have not had it "fixed", but after using Blackbaud Financial Edge for two years going on three, and not having it addressed during one of their updates, I am quite frustrated. In my opinion, this is basic accounting functionality that ANY accounting program should have. I should be able to run a report based on invoice numbers, and generate statements with invoice numbers. We do not even use the statement printing feature, and instead reprint invoices and stamp them COPY - PAST DUE. I continue to enter it as an "enhancement suggestion", but it has never been changed by Blackbaud. We also have a similar problem in AP, whereby you can only enter one "description" for an invoice, even though you may have multiple expense distributions that you would like to enter a different description for. I would recommend that anyone who shares my sentiment continue to communicate this to account reps in the hopes that it is made a part of basic functionality, and not a specialized or customized feature you must pay extra for.

I'm in total agreement with you all. This is accounting 101! I can't understand why BB can't do this. I've had to create my own statements in Excel, which is very labor intensive.

Although we limit postings from the forum administrator, we want to clarify the information posted earlier by Dana. The Financial Edge provides the flexibility to personalize statement references. For the invoice line item reference, you can change the statement reference to display the invoice ID instead of the invoice line item ID. Please refer to Knowledgebase solution BB350426 (How to show invoice ID on statements) for more information. Thanks! Forum Administrator

Ah - thank you for that! However, I still am not able to get our statements to format in a manner that works for our clients. It is confusing to have to choose "invoice line item" to opt to have invoice id show up on the statement. You would think you should choose the invoice option. IMO, it would seem much easier to have this option available as one of the tabs within the statements screen in mail, not configuration; print by invoice line item id or invoice id. You are only allowed 50 character spaces for whatever you so choose to print on your statement. This is still not enough for us. Ultimately we would like to show the invoice number, description of the invoice in full, and amount due. Currently there is not enough space to do that. I have not had luck with generating statements, we simply can not get them to print the information as we would look it to display. I find the Transaction Details tab within statements to be a bit confusing. I think what complicates matters is that Financial Edge uses invoice line item ids, invoice number ids, product and billing item descriptions, etc. Is is hard to pull all of that info together in the manner in which you need it, despite having filtering and printing options, etc. I just want a nice, simple, useful statement!

Dana, have you ever tried using charges instead of invoices?

I just thought i would note here that it is 2010, and this is still a problem.  line items vs. invoice numbers.  What does BB have against good old fashioned invoice numbers?  The completely frustrating part is that in AR ver 6 everything was invoice numbers and it was FINE.  I was also able to actually print the product id on an invoice, crazy but true.