How to create a general receipt in Law App — video guide

A general receipt records money received into your general (office) account — most often a client paying a tax invoice. The short video below walks through the whole process; the written summary underneath covers the same steps so you can refer back quickly.

What is a general receipt?

A general receipt is how you record money paid into the firm’s general (office) account in Law App — for example, a client settling an invoice or paying funds that are not held on trust. It is different from a trust receipt, which records client money received into the trust account and is governed by separate trust-accounting rules. If the money belongs to the firm or is paying an invoice, use a general receipt.

How to create a general receipt

Creating a general receipt in Law App follows three stages. Watch the video above for the exact screens; the steps below are the summary.

Add the receipt — enter the payment details, including who paid, the amount, the date received and the payment method.
Authorise the receipt — confirm and authorise it so the receipt is finalised and recorded against the general account.
Allocate to an invoice — apply the receipted funds to the relevant outstanding invoice so the matter balance updates.

Tip. The video shows each screen in order, so it’s the quickest way to follow along the first time. Once you’ve done it once, the three stages above are usually all you need as a reminder.

Common questions

What is the difference between a general receipt and a trust receipt?

A general receipt records money into the firm’s general (office) account — typically a payment of an invoice or other firm income. A trust receipt records client money received into the trust account, which is held on the client’s behalf and is subject to trust-accounting rules. Choosing the wrong one puts the money in the wrong ledger, so it matters which you use.

Can I allocate a general receipt to an invoice?

Yes. After the receipt is added and authorised, you allocate it to the relevant outstanding invoice. The allocation reduces the amount owing on that invoice and updates the matter’s balance.

Do I need to authorise a general receipt?

Yes. A general receipt is added first and then authorised. Authorising finalises the receipt and records it against the general account, after which it can be allocated to an invoice.