정의
Dunning is the systematic follow-up on overdue accounts receivable. The word comes from the 17th-century English "to dun" — to persistently demand payment. Modern dunning is usually a scheduled, escalating sequence rather than random outreach.
A typical dunning sequence: — Day 1 after due date: friendly reminder, presumes oversight. "Just a quick note — invoice 1234 was due yesterday." — Day 14-15: firm follow-up, may include statement of account and a repeat of the payment details. — Day 30: formal demand, cites interest and collection fees accruing under your terms or statute (e.g. UK Late Payment Act, EU Directive 2011/7). — Day 60+: final notice with a clear deadline and stated next step (small claims court, collection agency, credit report).
Good dunning is both firm and professional. Escalation should be graduated so that the relationship is not burned needlessly, but the message at each stage should be unambiguous about consequences. Automated dunning tools (including KipBill's reminder system) schedule the sequence and stop it automatically when payment lands.
Legally, most B2B jurisdictions require at least one formal reminder before interest and collection costs can be pursued in court — even if statute makes them automatic, documentation of the demand is typically needed.