8.4
Time Management Considerations in Billing

Enter your time contemporaneous to the task and do not move on to the next task until you have entered your time. Entering your time in your accounting software allows you to have control over the timing and the content and minimizes the risk that time is missed. 

If you enter time yourself, you can create the description that you will eventually want to see on the Statement of Account for that client. This way, you will not be duplicating efforts. If you take care the first time your write the description, you should not have to revise it when you go to issue the Statement of Account.   

It is not recommended that you adopt a process of writing your time down on a physical paper pad and having your assistant enter it. This is a duplication of effort and is not an efficient use of time. You would also likely have to revise the description for the Statement of Account, unless you took the time to hand write it out for your assistant.   

Use billing as an opportunity to provide a report to your clients. This can be a brief update or a more comprehensive report. Your client will likely be more content to receive a Statement of Account if it is evident that their matter is moving forward. If their retainer needs to be replenished, this is the opportunity to outline the status of the retainer and request replenishment. Be thoughtful about your reporting letter so that you don’t need to send additional correspondence shortly after.     


Last modified: Friday, 21 April 2023, 9:26 AM