verkkolasku

Verkkolasku is the Finnish term for electronic invoicing, the practice of sending and receiving invoices in a structured digital format rather than on paper or as scanned documents. It enables automatic data extraction and processing in the recipient’s accounting and payment systems, which can reduce manual data entry, speeds up processing, lowers costs, and improves record-keeping and compliance.

In Finland the most common structured formats are Finvoice, an XML-based schema designed for automatic handling of invoice data, and PEPPOL-based formats used for cross-border or international invoicing in line with European standards. In practice, a supplier sends an electronic invoice through an invoicing service provider or a bank-connected network, which forwards it to the recipient’s enterprise resource planning or accounting system. Recipients can store, search, approve, and pay invoices electronically, often with automatic matching to purchase orders and payments.

Adoption and use: Verkkolasku is widely used in both private sector and public administration in Finland. Many banks, service providers, and ERP systems support the transmission and reception of Finvoice or PEPPOL invoices, enabling seamless interoperability between different parties and software.

Practical considerations: To start using Verkkolasku, a company typically partners with a financial institution or an invoicing service provider and issues invoices in Finvoice or another compatible format. Some invoices may be converted to other formats for customers that do not support structured e-invoices; however, structured formats enable automated processing and better efficiency. Electronic archiving and retention should comply with Finnish accounting and tax regulations.