> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.getatelier.design/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Retainers and client deposits

> Record an advance payment for a project, apply it to invoices and track the amount still available.

Open **Finance → Retainers** to track client deposits received in advance. Each deposit belongs to one project. Recording it in Atelier does not collect or transfer money.

## Record a deposit

1. Choose **Record deposit**.
2. Select the **Project** and enter the **Amount** actually received.
3. Check the **Received** date, choose the payment **Method**, and add a **Reference** and notes if needed.
4. Save the deposit and check the project's balance.

The available methods are Bank transfer, Check, Credit card, Cash and Other. Use a bank reference or other clear identifier so the entry can be reconciled later.

## Read the balances

| Column        | Meaning                                                                   |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Received**  | Deposits recorded for this project.                                       |
| **Applied**   | Retainer amounts claimed by its non-cancelled invoices, including drafts. |
| **Available** | Received minus Applied: the amount still available to another invoice.    |

Open a project row to see **Deposits received** and **Applied to invoices**. Draft invoices also reserve their retainer amount, so two drafts cannot use the same available deposit. Voiding an invoice releases its claim.

## Apply a retainer to an invoice

1. Open the invoice form for the same project.
2. In **Columns**, enable **Retainer applied**.
3. Enter the amount under **Retainer applied (\$)**. The form shows what is available; use **Apply all** or **Apply the balance** when offered.
4. Save and review the invoice's retainer deduction and **Balance due**.
5. Return to **Finance → Retainers** to check the updated Applied and Available amounts.

The invoice balance is its total minus the applied retainer and payments recorded against that invoice, with a minimum balance of zero. For example, a $3,000 invoice with $1,000 of retainer applied and a separate $500 payment has $1,500 left to pay.

Do not also record the same applied deposit as a new invoice payment: that would count the same money twice. A deposit on one project cannot be applied to another project's invoice.

## Correct an entry

Expand the project row and use **Remove this deposit** to remove an incorrect deposit record. Atelier refuses removal when it would leave less received than invoices have already claimed. Correct the relevant invoice applications first, then record the correct deposit if needed.

Removing a record does not refund money. Check the actual payment history before changing financial records.

See [Invoices](/finance/invoices) for recording additional payments and [Finance dashboard](/finance/finance-dashboard) for the separate invoice summary.