A purchase order is usually buyer-issued. An invoice is seller-issued. Referință the PO on the invoice when the buyer requires it.
A purchase order usually goes from buyer to seller; an invoice goes from seller to buyer. The PO communicates what the buyer intends to order. The invoice bills for goods or services supplied, or for another agreed billing point.
| Feature | Purchase order | Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Usually issued by | Buyer or purchasing team. | Seller or supplier. |
| Direction | Buyer → Seller. | Seller → Buyer. |
| Purpose | Requests or authorizes a purchase under the buyer’s process. | Requests payment for an agreed supply or billing milestone. |
| Moment tipic | Before or when the buyer places an order. | After supply or at the agreed billing point. |
| Useful shared reference | PO number, items, quantities, agreed pricing and delivery details. | The PO number, număr de factură, supplied items, amounts and condițiile de plată. |
Why the PO number may appear on an invoice
A buyer may require its PO number on the supplier’s invoice so the purchasing or accounts-payable team can match the bill to the order. The supplier should verify that quantities, descriptions and prices are consistent with the agreed order or approved changes before sending the invoice.
Example
A restaurant sends a purchase order to a produce supplier for 20 crates of apples. After delivery, the supplier issues an invoice to the restaurant, referencing the PO number and the quantity supplied. The PO is the buyer’s order; the invoice is the seller’s request for payment.
Create a purchase order as a buyer or a seller invoice for billing.
Problems this guide helps you solve
- Choosing the right document for the current stage of the deal (proposal, bill or payment record).
- Avoiding vague descriptions, missing dates or unclear payment instructions that delay settlement.
- Keeping numbers, statuses and follow-ups aligned with what actually happened—not assumptions.
Decision checklist
- Confirm the agreement stage: proposal, accepted work, billing or payment received.
- Verify parties, currency, references (PO/project) and unique document numbers.
- Make the amount due and the next Clientul action obvious.
- Save a copy and record how the document was delivered or how payment was matched.
Common mistakes
- Sending a proposal labelled as an invoice before billing is appropriate.
- Reusing document numbers or leaving critical dates blank.
- Marking something paid before funds are confirmed in your records.
- Omitting payment instructions or using a dată scadentă that conflicts with written terms.
Next steps
Draft or adjust the document in the free generator de facturi, then review related guides linked on this page. Requirements can vary by jurisdiction—confirm what applies to your situation.
Who issues a purchase order versus an invoice?
A purchase order is typically created by the buyer for a supplier. An invoice is issued by the seller to request payment from the buyer.
Should an invoice reference a purchase order?
When the buyer issued a PO, include that reference so both sides can match orders, deliveries and payments.
What should I check before sending this document?
Confirm parties, unique number, dates, line descriptions, totals, currency, payment instructions and that the document matches the agreement stage.
Can software decide my tax or legal treatment?
No. Editable tax fields and calculators perform arithmetic from values you enter. Registration, eligibility and required wording depend on your situation and local rules.
Where should I keep records?
Store the final document with related quotes, orders, timesheets or payment confirmations on your own systems. Browser autosave on this site is local to the device, not a cloud archive.
What if the Clientul disputes the amount?
Compare the document to the approved scope or order, correct with a revised invoice or notă de credit when appropriate, and keep a clear reference trail.
Doar informații generale — nu reprezintă consultanță juridică, fiscală sau contabilă. Cerințele pot varia în funcție de jurisdicție, tranzacție și acord. Confirmați ce se aplică situației dvs.