Hi, @JustineEFI. i can provide the necessary information to answer your queries regarding the revenue recognition in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

Certainly, you can begin the revenue recognition before issuing the client's invoice. The revenue recognition ought to be linked to products and services, not to an invoice. Please ensure that it's already configured in your QuickBooks account. 

You can follow the steps below.
 

1. Navigate to the Manage templates tab and go to the Assign product/service section.
2. Click on Assign template to products/services.
3. From the Products/service dropdown, select an existing service item or add a new one.
4. In the Revenue recognition template dropdown, choose either a standard template or the one you've created.
5. From the Liability account dropdown, select an existing liability account or add a new one.
6. Once completed, click Save.

Afterward, make sure to select these items when making an invoice. Please note that the Service Date on the invoice will initiate the Revenue Recognition Schedule in QBO.

For further details, you can visit this article: Set up a revenue recognition schedule.

You can run the Revenue Recognition report and customize its data to track the billed and recognized amounts in the future. 
 

I'm available around the clock to provide a timely response if you have any other questions about handing projects or sales transaction. Simply hit the Reply button below.