Turning work into cash.
WHY TIME RECORDING MATTERS
It is the basis of billing, profitability analysis and estimating.
WHAT HAPPENS WITHOUT IT
Work is unbilled, and nobody knows what anything costs.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That time is recorded as it is worked.
WHY AS WORKED
Reconstructed time is systematically understated.
WHAT TO RECORD
Time, matter, and a description of the work.
WHY THE DESCRIPTION
It justifies the bill, and vague entries are challenged.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Descriptions that a client would accept as reasonable.
WHAT TO BILL PROMPTLY
Everything, at agreed intervals.
WHY PROMPTLY
Bills delivered long after the work are disputed and paid slowly.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
A regular billing cycle, adhered to.
WHAT DELAYS BILLING
Uncertainty about what to charge Reluctance to bill Incomplete time records Waiting for the matter to conclude
WHY WAITING FOR CONCLUSION IS DAMAGING
It funds the client for the duration.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Interim billing on longer matters.
WHAT A BILL SHOULD SHOW
What work was done The period The basis of charge The amount, with any tax Payment terms and how to pay
WHY DETAIL
Bills that are not understood are queried.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT WRITE-OFFS
Record them, and establish why.
WHAT CAUSES THEM
Scope creep Inefficiency Poor estimating Reluctance to charge for time honestly worked
WHAT TO ADDRESS
Each, separately.
WHAT TO MEASURE
Time to bill, and realisation.
