> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://dukarun.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://dukarun.gitbook.io/docs/customers-and-credit/receiving-a-customer-payment.md).

# Receiving a customer payment

## Why this matters

Recording a payment reduces what the customer owes and keeps the customer account aligned with the money your business actually received.

## Before you start

Open the correct customer account. Have the amount, payment method, and reference ready. If your business uses till control, open the till that received the money. Your role must allow you to settle customer orders.

## Video

The task-specific walkthrough is being prepared. For now, watch this Dukarun overview.

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/dfykDyK6Fs8>" %}

## Steps

1. Open **Customers** and select the customer.
2. In **Customer account**, check the open invoice balance and available downpayment.
3. Enter **Payment received (KES)**.
4. Choose the **Method** and add the required reference or M-PESA details.
5. Review **How this payment will be applied**. Dukarun clears the oldest open invoices first.
6. Choose **Receive payment**. For an active M-PESA collection, the button may say **Send STK prompt**.
7. Confirm that **Receipt posted** appears and check the updated balance.

## What changes in Dukarun

Cash received increases and the customer's receivable falls by the amount applied to invoices. If the payment is greater than the open invoices, the remaining amount is kept as a downpayment. The payment does not create new revenue because the sale was recorded earlier.

## Related terms

[Receivable](/docs/glossary.md#receivable), [cash received](/docs/glossary.md#cash-received), [invoice](/docs/glossary.md#invoice), and [downpayment](/docs/glossary.md#downpayment).

## Continue the workflow

[Review credit health](/docs/money-and-reporting/reviewing-credit-health.md).

## If something does not look right

* If receiving a payment is unavailable, check your permission, till status, and customer account integrity notice.
* Confirm the customer before posting. Payments are applied to that customer's oldest invoices.
* Do not record a new sale when collecting an existing credit balance.