Set Account Default Billing Plan
Quick Start
📋 Need to set payment preferences? Configure default billing plans to control how members receive invoices and payment schedules.
- Open account record → 2. Go to Basic Details → 3. Edit Default Billing Plan → 4. Select plan → 5. Save
What you'll accomplish: Set a default billing plan for a member account that controls invoice generation timing, payment scheduling, and billing frequency in about 3 minutes.
🚀 Quickstart
- Navigate to the Financials app and open the member's account
- Click the Basic Details tab
- Edit the Default Billing Plan field in Account Preferences
- Select appropriate billing plan option
- Save to apply the new default
⚠️ Before You Start
📋 Prerequisites Checklist
- You have appropriate permissions to edit account records
- Billing Plan Options are configured in your organization
- You understand your organization's billing plan structure
- Account exists and is accessible in the Financials app
- You know which billing plan is appropriate for this member
💡 Understanding Default Billing Plans
What Default Billing Plans Control:
- Invoice Timing - When invoices are generated for the account
- Payment Schedule - How frequently payments are expected
- Payment Amount - Whether invoices are paid in full or installments
- Reminder Cadence - How often payment reminders are sent
Common Billing Plan Types:
- Annual - Single payment for entire year
- Quarterly - Four payments per year
- Monthly - Twelve payments per year
- Custom - Organization-specific payment schedules
When Plans Are Used:
- Mass billing campaigns - Apply default plan to new invoices
- Individual billing - Use as starting point for manual billing
- Payment plan creation - Automatically apply preferred schedule
- Account setup - Establish member payment preferences
📘 Detailed Instructions
Step 1: Access Member Account
- Navigate to the Financials app
- Search for or select the desired member account
- Open the account record to view details
App Selection
Ensure you're in the Financials app where billing plan options are properly configured and visible.
Step 2: Navigate to Account Preferences
- Click the Basic Details tab on the account record
- Scroll to the Account Preferences section
- Locate the Default Billing Plan field
Step 3: Edit Billing Plan Selection
📋 Billing Plan Options Reference
Typical Billing Plan Options:
| Plan Name | Payment Frequency | Best For | Example Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | Once per year | Members who prefer single payment | Paid in full by due date |
| Semi-Annual | Twice per year | Mid-range payment preference | Two equal payments |
| Quarterly | Four times per year | Moderate payment schedule | Quarterly installments |
| Monthly | Twelve times per year | Budget-conscious members | Monthly payment plans |
| Custom | Variable schedule | Special circumstances | Unique payment arrangements |
Plan Selection Criteria:
- Member preference - How member wants to pay
- Payment capacity - Member's financial situation
- Organization policy - Default plans for different membership types
- Special circumstances - Hardship or unique situations
- Click the pencil icon next to "Default Billing Plan"
- Review available billing plan options
- Select the most appropriate plan for this account
- Consider the member's payment preferences and capacity
Step 4: Save Configuration
- Click "Save" to apply the new default billing plan
- Verify the selection appears correctly in the Account Preferences section
- Confirm the change was saved successfully
✅ How to Know It Worked
Success Indicators:
- ✅ Default Billing Plan field shows selected option
- ✅ Account Preferences section displays updated information
- ✅ No error messages during save operation
- ✅ Billing plan will be used for future invoice generation
Testing the Configuration:
- Create test invoice to verify plan application
- Check payment schedule generation uses new plan
- Verify billing campaign respects account preference
- Confirm override capability still works when needed
🆘 Troubleshooting
❌ Account Preferences Section Missing
Problem: Cannot find Account Preferences section on Basic Details tab
Contact your System Administrator to verify:
- ✅ Field-level security is set correctly for your profile
- ✅ Fields are added to the account page layout
- ✅ Page layout is assigned to the correct app
- ✅ Profile has correct page layout assignment for record type
❌ No Billing Plan Options Available
Problem: Default Billing Plan dropdown is empty or has no options
Solutions:
- ✅ Check billing plan configuration - options may not be created
- ✅ Verify permissions - ensure you can view Billing Plan Option records
- ✅ Review active status - billing plans may be inactive
- ✅ Contact administrator - billing plan options may need setup
❌ Financials App Not Available
Problem: Cannot access Financials app
Contact your System Administrator to verify:
- ✅ User profile has access to the Financials app
- ✅ App permissions are properly configured
- ✅ Profile assignments include financial functionality
- ✅ License requirements for financial features are met
❌ Cannot Edit Default Billing Plan
Problem: Pencil icon not available or edit function doesn't work
Solutions:
- ✅ Check edit permissions - ensure you can modify account records
- ✅ Verify field permissions - billing plan field may be read-only
- ✅ Review account status - inactive accounts may have restrictions
- ✅ Check for locks - account may be locked by other processes
💡 Best Practices
Default Billing Plan Best Practices
- 🎯 Match Member Preferences - Set plans based on member payment capabilities
- 📊 Analyze Payment Patterns - Review historical payment behavior
- 💼 Consider Member Type - Different member categories may need different plans
- 🔄 Regular Reviews - Update plans based on changing circumstances
- 📞 Member Communication - Discuss payment preferences with members
- 📋 Document Decisions - Maintain records of why specific plans were chosen
Strategic Plan Assignment:
- New members - Start with organization default, adjust based on preference
- Established members - Use historical payment patterns to guide selection
- High-value members - Consider flexible or premium payment options
- Special circumstances - Create custom plans for unique situations
Payment Plan Management:
- Monitor compliance - Track which plans work best for different member types
- Adjust as needed - Update plans when member circumstances change
- Coordinate with billing - Ensure plans align with billing campaign schedules
- Member satisfaction - Balance organization needs with member convenience
Quality Control:
- Regular audits - Review account billing plan assignments
- Exception tracking - Monitor accounts that frequently override defaults
- Plan effectiveness - Analyze which plans result in better payment compliance
- Staff training - Ensure team understands billing plan implications