InvoiceQuickly + GoCardless: Collect Invoices via Direct Debit
Direct debit is the most reliable way to collect recurring invoice payments. GoCardless integration lets you set up mandates once, then collect automatically on each invoice due date — reducing failed payments and eliminating manual chasing.
How It Works
Connect GoCardless
Link your GoCardless account to InvoiceQuickly. Supports GoCardless for UK (Bacs), EU (SEPA), US (ACH), and Australia (BECS).
Client signs mandate
When a client receives their first invoice, they authorize a direct debit mandate — a one-time setup.
Automatic collection
On each invoice due date, GoCardless automatically collects the payment from the client's bank account.
Reconciliation and notifications
Payments reconcile automatically. Both you and the client receive confirmation.
Key Benefits
- Lower processing fees than card payments (typically 1% + £/€/$0.20)
- Automatic collection eliminates manual payment chasing
- Reduce failed payments with GoCardless Success+ intelligent retry
- Ideal for recurring invoices — retainers, subscriptions, maintenance contracts
- Support for Bacs (UK), SEPA (EU), ACH (US), and BECS (Australia)
Best For
- Agencies with monthly retainer clients who want automated collection
- Property managers collecting regular maintenance or service invoices
- SaaS companies billing via invoice rather than subscription platforms
Setting it up
Setup takes 5-15 minutes depending on whether you have an existing GoCardless account. Prerequisites: active GoCardless account with admin access, your InvoiceQuickly workspace, and the relevant API permissions or OAuth authorization. From Settings → Integrations → GoCardless, follow the connection flow (OAuth for most, API key for some specialized tools). The integration syncs bidirectionally where supported — invoice creation in one system reflects in the other. Initial setup includes mapping data fields between systems (customers, products, payment methods, tax codes).
Best practices
Define one source of truth for customer data
When you connect GoCardless, decide which system owns customer records. Most teams keep their primary CRM/ERP as the source of truth and let invoices sync into it. This prevents duplicate customer creation and reconciliation issues.
Test with a small batch before production rollout
Before syncing all historical data or going live for daily operations, test with 5-10 invoices to verify field mapping, tax handling, and payment workflow. Adjust configuration based on test results.
Reconcile sync status weekly
Network failures, OAuth expirations, and edge cases occasionally cause sync gaps. A weekly reconciliation (compare invoice counts in both systems) catches issues early before they accumulate.
Document the integration scope for your team
Write a brief internal doc (one page) covering: which workflows use the GoCardless integration, who owns reconciliation, what to do when sync fails. Reduces support overhead as the team grows.
Common issues
Sync stops after working initially
Most common cause: OAuth token expired (typically 60-100 days depending on the GoCardless platform). Reconnect via Settings → Integrations → GoCardless. Set a reminder to refresh authorization every 60 days for critical integrations.
Field mapping creates duplicate or missing data
During initial setup, the field mapping between GoCardless and InvoiceQuickly may not catch every edge case. Adjust mapping in Settings → Integrations → GoCardless → Field Mapping. Re-sync affected records after fixing.
Rate-limit errors during high-volume operations
GoCardless APIs typically allow 100-1000 calls per minute. Bulk operations (importing all customers, syncing 1000+ historical invoices) can hit rate limits. InvoiceQuickly handles backoff automatically; if you see persistent errors, retry during off-peak hours.
Last verified: April 2026
See How Much You Could Save
Use our ROI calculator to see exactly how much invoice automation could save your business each year.
Calculate Your SavingsFrequently Asked Questions
Is GoCardless cheaper than card payments?
Yes. GoCardless fees are typically 1% + £/€0.20 per transaction, compared to 2.9% + £/€0.30 for card payments. For large invoices, the savings are significant.
How long do GoCardless payments take?
Bacs (UK) takes 3 business days. SEPA (EU) takes 2-3 business days. ACH (US) takes 4-5 business days.
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