Accounting and invoicing for recruitment consultants
Retainer on engagement, success fee on hire, shortlist and guarantee period: recruiters have invoices in stages with high single amounts. Saldiqo issues retainer and success fee separately, reminds on open items and creates credit notes when the hire fails.
What comes up for recruitment consultants
Invoices in stages
First instalment on engagement, second on shortlist, third on hire. Each has its moment.
Guarantee period
If a candidate leaves in the probation period, a credit note or a replacement follows.
High single amounts
A fee is often a third of a yearly salary. Payment terms and follow-up matter.
How Saldiqo helps
- Invoices in stagesRetainer, shortlist, success as separate invoices or stage invoices.
- Credit note on a guarantee caseLinked to the original invoice.
- RemindersKeep open items in view.
- Cost centre per mandateEffort and return per mandate.
Typical invoice lines
Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.
- Retainer on engagement, mandate 2027-14
- Shortlist presentation, 3 candidates
- Success fee on hire, 28 % of yearly salary
- Job advert re-invoiced as per receipt
- Credit note: leaver in probation
- Sourcing effort by the hour
Tax and invoicing in Cyprus
What applies to invoices in Cyprus, in short. As of October 2026.
- VAT
- Rates 19 %, 9 %, 5 % and 3 %, plus 0 % until 31 December 2026 for infant milk, nappies, hygiene products and fresh fruit and vegetables.
- VAT registration
- The threshold is €15,600 of taxable turnover over 12 months, or expected within the next 30 days. If you sell services to businesses in other EU countries, you generally register from the first sale. Until you are registered, Saldiqo leaves VAT off and adds up your turnover.
- What goes on an invoice
- Even businesses that are not VAT registered must issue invoices and receipts. Companies show their name, HE number, the words “private company” where they apply, and their registered office. Notes such as reverse charge appear in Greek and English.
- Invoice timing
- Issue invoices within 30 days.
- E-invoicing
- There is no mandate. Public bodies accept e-invoices (Peppol BIS 3.0) and suppliers send them voluntarily. EU rules follow from 1 July 2030.
- VAT returns
- VAT4 returns are filed online through TFA, quarterly with staggered periods, by the 10th of the second month after the period, moved to the next working day if it falls on a weekend. Saldiqo does not file returns.
- Record keeping
- Plan for 10 years. The minimum is 6 years, VAT records can need up to 7 years, and OSS records 10 years.
- Late payment
- Interest on late business payments is 10.40 %, plus €40 compensation between businesses.
- Languages
- Use Saldiqo in Greek or English and send invoices in either language.
Frequently asked questions
How do I bill retainer and success fee?
As stage invoices from the quote, with a line per stage.
How do I treat a guarantee case?
With a credit note to the success invoice if you repay fees.
Do recruitment consultants in Cyprus have to charge VAT?
Once they are registered, yes. The threshold is €15,600 over 12 months, or expected within 30 days. Services to businesses in other EU countries require registration from the first sale.
Do recruitment consultants in Cyprus need e-invoicing?
No. Public bodies accept e-invoices through Peppol and suppliers use it voluntarily. EU rules follow from July 2030, so PDF invoices remain fine today.
How long should recruitment consultants keep invoices?
Plan for 10 years: the minimum is 6 years, VAT records can need up to 7 and OSS records 10. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.
Try Saldiqo for free
Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.
Start for freeThis page for other countries
Related niches
More industries
As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.