verkkolaskutus

Verkkolaskutus, or electronic invoicing, refers to the electronic transmission and processing of invoices between suppliers and customers in Finland. It replaces paper invoices and manual data entry, supporting both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) transactions. The aim is to streamline invoicing workflows, reduce errors and cut costs through automated data capture and integrated accounting systems.

Finnish verkkolaskutus relies on standardized formats and networks. The prevalent Finnish format is Finvoice, an XML-based standard designed for automated processing in Nordic accounting and ERP systems. For cross-border and broader European use, the EN 16931 standard and the PEPPOL network provide interoperable mechanisms to exchange e-invoices between trading partners, using PEPPOL Access Points as gateways.

How it works: A supplier generates an electronic invoice in Finvoice (or another agreed format) and sends it via an e-invoice service provider or directly through the PEPPOL network to the recipient's system. The buyer's ERP can automatically validate, match to orders, approve, and post the invoice. Invoices are stored electronically for retrieval and compliance.

Adoption and impact: Verkkolaskutus is widely used in Finnish public procurement and in many private sector relationships. Benefits include shorter payment cycles, reduced processing costs, fewer data-entry errors, and improved auditing and archiving. Technical and organizational requirements include compatible software, integration with an e-invoicing service and appropriate security and privacy controls.