A label, not a second ledger
The label does not rewrite the invoice
A cost centre asks: which internal unit absorbed the movement? A project asks: which customer job should we compare revenue against cost? Fawtar on Business stores both in one register with a kind: a cost centre has a name and code; a project can carry a client name, an optional pre-VAT cost budget, and a status. Linking an invoice or expense to a project does not change the number, the lines, the PDF, or the tax treatment. The margin is an estimated gross figure from invoiced revenue before VAT minus recorded cost — not net profit.
Fawtar at fawtar.app is an independent Saudi product. It is not ZATCA’s Fatoora platform, not Fatoora.app, not Oman’s Fawtara programme, and not Jordanian Fawtara products. This page is a reading aid. Last verified 2026-08-29. It is not tax advice.
What each label answers
| Item | Cost centre | Project |
|---|---|---|
| The question | Which internal unit? A department, branch, or activity. | Which customer job? A campaign, contract, or site. |
| In Fawtar | Name and code. The default kind in the register. | Name, optional client, pre-VAT cost budget, dates, status. |
| What happens to the document? | It is tagged. The PDF does not change. | It is tagged. A quote is not revenue until invoiced. |
| What it is not | Not a separate general ledger. | Not net accounting profit and not committed spend. |
A branch is a third thing
A branch is an operational location for the business. A cost centre is a slice of cost or revenue. A project is a job with a client and a margin. Do not mash the three into one report and expect that to replace an accountant.
The budget is not a commitment
Fawtar’s project budget field is an optional pre-VAT cost figure to compare with linked expenses. It is not an approved budget and not a purchase order.
What Fawtar does here
Business plan only. The margin subtracts recorded cost from invoiced revenue before VAT. Collected cash is shown separately. Payroll and time enter only if you record them as expenses and link them. Not an ERP and not full dimensional accounting.
Sources
Short questions
Does linking a project change the tax invoice?
No. The number, lines, VAT and PDF stay as issued.
Is the margin net profit?
No. An estimated gross figure before unlinked overhead.