Auto-debit allows you to automatically pull payments from your customers' ACH accounts when invoices are due. This article covers the setup workflow for each scenario, depending on your existing relationship with the customer.
| ✋ Before setting up auto-debit, note that: (1) the process requires at least 2 business days to complete, and (2) you must obtain documented permission from each customer before auto-debiting their account. |
Option I: Debiting a vendor you've previously paid
Use this option when the company you want to charge has previously received payments from you in Routable and already has an ACH account on file.
Step 1: Set up the first payment
- Admin initiates a new invoice to the vendor.
- The vendor pays the invoice using the ACH account already on file — the same account originally used to receive payments.
- Once paid, all future invoices will be auto-debited from that ACH account.
| ℹ️ If the vendor wants to use a different bank account, they must notify the admin before making the change. |
Step 2: Process future auto-debit invoices
- Admin creates a new receivable and sets it to
Ready to sendstatus. - Admin submits a request via chat or support@routable.com with either:
- The URL of the specific receivable in
Ready to sendstatus, or - A request to auto-debit all receivables currently in
Ready to sendstatus.
- The URL of the specific receivable in
- Routable processes the receivables.
Option II: Debiting a customer you've never invoiced
Use this option when the customer is new to Routable and has no existing payment method on file.
Step 1: Add the customer and collect their payment method
- Admin invites the customer to Routable.
- The customer accepts the invite and adds their ACH payment method. All future invoices will be auto-debited from this account.
- The customer verifies their bank account.
Step 2: Process future auto-debit invoices
- Admin creates a new receivable and sets it to
Ready to sendstatus. - Admin submits a request to support@routable.com with either:
- The URL of the specific receivable in
Ready to sendstatus, or - A request to auto-debit all receivables currently in
Ready to sendstatus.
- The URL of the specific receivable in
- Routable processes the receivables.
Option III: Debiting a customer you've previously charged
Use this option when the customer already exists in Routable and has a verified ACH account on file from a prior invoice.
- Admin creates a new receivable and sets it to
Ready to sendstatus. - Admin submits a request to support@routable.com with either:
- The URL of the specific receivable in
Ready to sendstatus, or - A request to auto-debit all receivables currently in
Ready to sendstatus.
- The URL of the specific receivable in
- Routable processes the receivables.
Option IV: Debiting a customer you've never paid or invoiced
Use this option when the customer has no history in Routable — they've never been paid by you or invoiced before.
Step 1: Add the customer as a vendor and collect their payment method
- Admin invites the customer to Routable as a vendor.
- The customer accepts the invite and adds their ACH payment method.
- The customer verifies their bank account.
| ℹ️ Admins can enter the customer's banking and routing numbers on their behalf, but the customer must still verify the account through micro-deposits before auto-debit can be enabled. |
Step 2: Send the first invoice
- Admin initiates a new invoice to the customer.
- The customer pays using the ACH account on file. All future invoices will be auto-debited from this account.
| ℹ️ If the customer wants to use a different bank account, they must notify the admin before making the change. |
Step 3: Process future auto-debit invoices
- Admin creates a new receivable and sets it to
Ready to sendstatus. - Admin submits a request to support@routable.com with either:
- The URL of the specific receivable in
Ready to sendstatus, or - A request to auto-debit all receivables currently in
Ready to sendstatus.
- The URL of the specific receivable in
- Routable processes the receivables.
How to import an invoice from your accounting software
Watch the walkthrough video for step-by-step instructions on importing an invoice from your ledger into Routable:
Watch video: Importing an invoice from your ledger
How to notify a customer before an automatic debit
Send your customer a notification at least 7 days before the debit is pulled. If you don't, the customer may cancel the transaction, resulting in a negative balance that must be corrected within 5 business days.