Creating Master Accounts for Consolidated Invoices

Learn how to set up consolidated invoicing for multiple related accounts using Master and Feeder account relationships.

Two Methods for Consolidated Invoicing

Method 1: Billed Thru Method (5 or Fewer Accounts)

If there are a few related accounts (generally 5 or fewer) and the subscriber wants them on the same invoice, it is easiest to designate one account as the Master and put all of the recurring charges into that account's recurring charges.

Steps:

1. Move the recurring charges from the individual "feeder" account to the account you want to invoice from
2. Use the Description Override to identify each monitored location
3. A regular invoice will be generated as a 1 page invoice

Note: If the subscriber wants to be set up for autopay for the charges, then the recurring charges must be entered into a single account's recurring charges.

Method 2: Feeder to Master (5 or More Accounts)

If you have a number of individual sites that need the recurring to be consolidated in a single master invoice (generally 5 or more charges), Cornerstone has a feature that allows you to:

• Create individual records for each account
• Have the recurring charges in those accounts be generated and consolidated in 1 invoice in a designated Master account
• Identify either the account name or address as the identifier on the invoice
• The invoice can be multiple pages

Setting Up Feeder to Master Accounts

When to Use Feeder to Master

Typically, Feeder to Master accounts are created when:

• There are five or more accounts that need to be consolidated in a single invoice
• The Feeder recurring charges are all on the same cycle or are grouped by a few cycles (otherwise multiple invoices are generated and may best be generated individually)
• The Master account invoice is to be printed, emailed or placed on Autopay

Step 1: Create the Master Account

Create the Customer record that will be used as the Master Account if it does not yet exist. The Feeder to Dealer relationship is created when you insert a recurring charge in a Feeder Account and point to the Master account in that recurring charge setup.

Important Note: If the Master account is NOT being monitored and you are using the connection to and from the central station (CMS, UCC), you will want to:

• Set the Company ID to "NOMON"
• Uncheck the "Monitored" field

Step 2: Setup the Feeder Accounts

1. Select the account whose recurring charges are to be consolidated in the master account
2. Click on "Recurring Charges"
3. Click on "Insert"

Step 3: Enter Recurring Charge Information

1. The Next Date should be the next billing cycle that Cornerstone will run for you
2. The Bill Amount must match the Cycle – enter the monthly amount if it is monthly, Annual if it is annual
3. Select Yes to Pro-rate first time if you need to charge for service starting before the Next Bill Date

Step 4: Configure Billing Options

Under the Billing Options:

1. Use the drop down box to select the "Master Account Number" to which the account will feed to
2. Choose "YES" to "Post Charges to Above"
3. Choose "Name or Address" for the "Identity on Master Invoice" (depending on how you want the accounts to be identified)

Note: All Billing Methods are available to use (Only use "No Print" if you don't want the invoice to get printed).

4. Click OK and the feeder Account's recurring charge is stored
5. Look at the Monthly amount to make sure it is correct
6. You can see the Mail To Field has the Master Account number in it
7. The date that the service began is recorded in the Starting field

Step 5: Verify Master Account Setup

Once a Feeder relationship is created to the Master, the Master Account should have a recurring charge code DEALER entered into it.

Verifying Your Setup

After you've setup the feeder accounts, we recommend you generate a Customer Recurring Audit Report filtering for that master account.

Important: It is critical that the CYCLE & NEXT DATE is the same for all charges.

You can review the rates and billing method(s) on this report as well.

Bill To Address

Any Customer record can have the recurring charges in the account generated for the site address and sent to a Bill to address.

Need Help?

Still have questions? Contact Cornerstone Holding Co. 847-405-9517 or email us customer.success@alarmbills.com