FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Validate, unpaid invoices, accounts receivable, QuickBooks integration, pricing, and revenue recovery. Whether you're trying to recover a single overdue invoice or improve your entire accounts receivable process, these answers will help you understand how Validate works.

Getting Started

Learn the basics about Validate, how it works, and whether it's the right solution for your business.

What is Validate?

Validate is a revenue recovery platform that helps small businesses recover unpaid invoices before they become collections or legal cases. Instead of waiting months or immediately hiring a collection agency, businesses can take early action to encourage payment while preserving customer relationships.

How does Validate work?

Businesses submit an unpaid invoice through Validate. The platform creates an independent record of the outstanding financial obligation and initiates a structured recovery process designed to encourage customers to resolve their balance before additional recovery measures become necessary.

Who should use Validate?

Validate is designed for businesses that invoice customers and occasionally struggle with overdue payments, including contractors, home service companies, medical practices, property managers, self-storage facilities, manufacturers, wholesalers, consultants, and professional service firms.

When should I use Validate?

The earlier you take action, the better. Many businesses wait 60–120 days before addressing unpaid invoices, but recovery rates generally decline as invoices age. Validate is most effective when used as soon as an invoice becomes seriously overdue.

How quickly can I start?

Most businesses can create an account and begin submitting invoices within minutes.

Do I need special software?

No. Validate is cloud-based and works alongside your existing accounting system.

Is Validate difficult to use?

No. The platform is designed specifically for busy small business owners and accounting staff. Most users can submit an invoice in just a few minutes.

Unpaid Invoices

Answers to the most common questions about overdue invoices, collections, and improving recovery rates.

What should I do if a customer won't pay?

Don't wait indefinitely. The longer an invoice remains unpaid, the less likely it is to be recovered. Validate helps businesses take structured, professional action before accounts become collection cases or write-offs.

How long should I wait before taking action?

Every business is different, but many experts recommend taking meaningful action once an invoice becomes 30–60 days overdue rather than waiting several months.

Can I recover very old invoices?

Possibly. Older invoices can still be recovered, but success generally decreases as invoices age. Acting early typically produces better results.

Can I upload multiple invoices?

Yes. Businesses can manage multiple overdue accounts through a single Validate account.

What industries benefit the most?

Industries that commonly extend payment terms often benefit the most, including construction, home improvement, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing, self-storage, property management, professional services, medical practices, manufacturing, and wholesale distribution.

Can Validate help reduce write-offs?

Yes. One of Validate's primary goals is helping businesses recover revenue before unpaid invoices become bad debt.

Is Validate only for large invoices?

No. Validate is especially valuable for smaller balances where hiring an attorney or collection agency may not be cost-effective.

QuickBooks & Integrations

Learn how Validate works alongside your existing accounting software.

Does Validate integrate with QuickBooks?

Yes. Validate is designed to work with QuickBooks, allowing businesses to streamline the process of identifying and managing overdue invoices.

Will I have to enter customer information twice?

No. Validate is designed to reduce duplicate data entry by integrating with your accounting workflow.

Does Validate replace my accounting software?

No. Validate complements your accounting software by focusing specifically on overdue invoice recovery.

Can Validate automatically identify overdue invoices?

Yes. When connected to your accounting software, Validate can help identify invoices that may require additional recovery efforts.

Pricing

Common questions about subscriptions, pricing, and value.

How much does Validate cost?

Validate offers affordable subscription pricing designed specifically for small businesses. It costs significantly less than hiring attorneys or paying traditional collection agency contingency fees.

Are there setup fees?

No. Businesses can begin using Validate without significant upfront costs.

Is there a contract?

Validate offers flexible subscription options designed to meet the needs of growing businesses.

Why is Validate less expensive than collections?

Collection agencies often charge a percentage of recovered funds. Validate helps businesses take action earlier, reducing the need for more expensive recovery methods.

Results & Recovery

Learn how Validate helps businesses improve collections and cash flow.

Will this hurt my customer relationships?

Many businesses find that a structured, professional recovery process actually helps resolve disputes before they escalate into collections or legal action.

Why is early action important?

Recovery rates generally decline as invoices age. Taking action sooner increases the likelihood of successful payment while preserving customer relationships.

What happens if my customer still doesn't pay?

Validate helps businesses document recovery efforts and determine appropriate next steps, including continued communication, legal remedies where appropriate, or referral to a collection agency.

Can Validate improve cash flow?

Yes. Recovering overdue invoices sooner improves cash flow and reduces bad debt.

Why shouldn't I just wait?

Waiting is often the most expensive collection strategy. As invoices age, recovery becomes more difficult and businesses are more likely to experience write-offs.

Why choose Validate instead of going directly to collections?

Many businesses want an opportunity to resolve unpaid invoices before paying collection commissions or pursuing legal action. Validate provides a proactive, professional first step that can help recover revenue while preserving customer relationships.