Separate bookings, revenue and cash
Course overview · 4 min reading + 12 min practice, estimated
Principles and method
A signed engagement, an invoice and a payment are different events. Track them separately using definitions appropriate to the business and professional accounting advice. Recruitment outcomes can depend on starts, conditions and contractual arrangements, so a headline fee is not always immediately earned or collectible. Record expected timing and uncertainty. Cash planning should include operating costs and delayed receipts. Do not use a weighted pipeline number as a bank balance. Make clear which figures are estimates and which are confirmed transactions.
Worked example
A fictional £10,000 fee is expected after a start next month, with payment later under the agreement. It cannot fund this week’s software bill simply because the opportunity is marked likely.
Put it into practice
Create a timeline from agreement through invoice and payment for three fictional engagements.
Use fictional information and keep your work in your own notes.
Compare your approach: self-review guidance
Show committed costs and possible delays. Keep forecast revenue and cash receipts distinct. Identify where an accountant should confirm recognition or tax treatment.
Sources and further reading
Original Academy teaching and fictional examples. These references provide context, not endorsement. Edition 2026.09; updated 2026-09-24.
- CIPD: Recruitment
Professional context for the recruitment lifecycle.
- GOV.UK: Set up a business
UK starting point. Business structure and obligations depend on the circumstances.