How to politely request late payment from a large company client
Late payment from a large company client usually comes down to their process, not bad faith. Here's who pays, when, what tends to hold payment up, and a polite reminder you can send today.
Who pays, and when
An accounts payable team pays, but only after the person you worked with approves the invoice. Terms of 30 to 90 days are common, paid in fixed weekly or monthly runs.
Why payment runs late
Most delays come from missing PO numbers, incomplete supplier details, or invoices waiting for approval.
Tips for chasing a large company client
- Ask your contact to confirm they've approved the invoice in their system.
- Send invoices exactly where accounts payable asks, often a supplier portal or a dedicated inbox.
- Chase accounts payable for the payment date and your contact for approval. They're different jobs.
Example reminder email
Subject: Quick reminder: invoice [number] Hi [first name], I hope all's well. Invoice [number] for [amount] was due on [date]. If it's already on its way, thank you, and please ignore this. I've also sent this to accounts payable, with the PO number included. Could you confirm the invoice has been approved in your system? You can pay here: [payment link] Thanks, [Your name]