The reason why the system is charging you in advance is for us to avoid bill shock whenever you perform an account change(s). Let us say for example you change plan next month. All the payment that you paid in advance would deduct on the desired next plan resulting in lower charges.
Let us say you cancel the service, whichever amount you paid in advance would be given to you on a form of credit which can be deducted on your final generated bill. Any other excess can be refunded through check.