Recording Payments - compiling four tables

[buckbuck]

I have a classic Invoicing setup using three tables; Contacts, Lines and Invoices. I am trying to create a payment record system that integrates with this system but my mind cannot get around a problem.

My process.

I create a Receivables record to track payments and relate this back to the Contact. I insert a portal into a Contact layout to create a report for each client. I do the same with Invoices and thereby see all the Invoices related to the client. Only this system is not so elegant. Ideally I want to see these records showing up based on a Date in one continuous list per client. Then my client looking at the report is tracking our activity together chronologically. Invoices fields (Invoice #, Date, Amount etc) and Receivables fields (Cheque Date, Amount Paid ect) showing as one continuous list sorted by date. As it might appear if one used a spreadsheet. Does anyone have advice?

Thank you

[Keith LaMarre]

It sounds like you aren't relating the payments to actual invoices - that's what you should do - you should be able to apply partial payments (and possibly overpays) - but that defnitely is what you would want to do (they'll automatically be related to the contact if you set the relationship up correctly).

[bcooney]

Um...really, Keith? Maybe it's not such a definite thing to do...See this thread.

[Vaughan]

I was going to link to that thread myself... you beat me to it.

That particular charges and payments system worked very well for the client.

link without funny text colours...

http://fmforums.com/forum/topic/76398-allocating-payments-to-invoices-questions/