The verdict in three sentences
An accounting firm that automates its recurring fees collects faster and stops chasing unpaid invoices: the goal is a DSO cut by 20 %. In 2026 in Lome, a custom module costs 10,000,000 to 25,000,000 FCFA, or SaaS at about 25,000 FCFA/user/month, and ships in 6 to 10 weeks. The real gain is not the invoice itself, but the mandates and reminders that fire on their own.
What recurring billing changes
In a firm, a large share of fees is recurring: monthly bookkeeping, payroll, filings. Without automation, every month starts from scratch: draft, send, remind, reconcile. A recurring-billing module generates invoices on a schedule, collects via mandate and auto-reminds late payers, freeing the accountant from the unpaid-invoice hunt.
| Feature | Direct effect | Cash impact |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic schedule | Invoices generated with no entry | Zero missed issuance |
| Direct-debit mandates | Collection on fixed dates | Lower DSO |
| Automated reminders | Graduated emails/SMS | Fewer unpaid invoices |
| Payment portal | Online settlement | Faster collection |
| Unpaid dashboard | Real-time view | Prioritized reminders |
Cost and cash gain in 2026
The budget depends on mandate volume, the integrated payment methods (mobile money, transfer, card) and the reporting level. Here are 2026 benchmarks for a Togolese firm.
| Scope | Budget | Timeline | DSO target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billing + schedule | 10,000,000-14,000,000 FCFA | 6 weeks | -10 % |
| + Mandates + auto reminders | 15,000,000-20,000,000 FCFA | 8 weeks | -20 % |
| + Payment portal + reporting | 21,000,000-25,000,000 FCFA | 10 weeks | -25 % |
| SaaS alternative | 25,000 FCFA/user/month | Immediate | Variable |
| Annual maintenance | 15-20 % of build | Ongoing | Stable |
A firm billing 120,000,000 FCFA in annual fees with a 60-day DSO ties up about 20,000,000 FCFA in receivables. Cutting DSO by 20 % (to 48 days) frees roughly 4,000,000 FCFA of durable cash, with no revenue increase.
Mini case study
Mr. Agbeko, CFO of an 18-person accounting firm in Lome, bills 120,000,000 FCFA in annual fees with a 60-day DSO. He deploys a custom module at 18,000,000 FCFA with mandates and automated reminders. DSO drops to 48 days, freeing 4,000,000 FCFA of cash, and manual reminders fall from 15 hours to 3 hours per month. The cash gain plus recovered hours pay back the investment in under 18 months.
FAQ
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How much does a recurring-billing module cost in 2026 in Lome?
Expect 10,000,000 to 25,000,000 FCFA custom-built depending on scope, or about 25,000 FCFA/user/month in SaaS.
How much can DSO fall?
A realistic target is -20 %, for example from 60 to 48 days, freeing several million FCFA of cash for a mid-sized firm.
Can mobile money be integrated into collections?
Yes: integrating local payment methods (mobile money, transfer) speeds online settlement and is part of the scope to be priced.
How long until the module ships?
Between 6 and 10 weeks depending on modules (schedule, mandates, reminders, payment portal).
What is gained on reminder time?
Firms typically move from 15 hours to 3 hours of manual reminders per month, redeploying 12 hours to value-added work.
Let's scope your project. Send us your recurring fee volume, your current DSO and your collection methods, and we will cost your automated billing module. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
