Time & Billing Programs Help Offices
Of All Sizes Run Smoother
By Daniel J. Hobson, CPA
Equative
Equative, Inc. (949) 305-9600 has developed a new time and billing system that is accessed entirely over the Internet. TimeLedger does not require any software on your system other than a standard web browser. You can use a Palm Pilot for tracking your time with a Palm program that is downloadable from the company’s web site.
TimeLedger can be customized for a variety of professionals including legal, accounting, consulting, technology and other firms. You can import your existing information from QuickBooks and other programs using delimited text files. You can also export information back into QuickBooks and other formats if necessary.
TimeLedger accounts are easy to create. Start by entering a user name, a password and a few additional pieces of information. Then you will set up your first timekeepers, clients and projects, up to five of each. You will then be taken to the start screen, which has eight links to time entry, reports, settings and other screens. These links are shortcuts to the five other tabs at the top of the screen.
The time entry screen allows you to view time by the week or by the day. Moving between weeks is quick with a calendar at the top of the screen. You can enter time by any fraction of an hour. You can enter an entire week’s worth of time for a project before switching to another project to enter time.
Expense entry is easy using the expense tab. Users can enter the date, amount, expense type, expense packet, and any descriptions or notes for the expense on one quick screen. Users can also mark whether the expense is billable and whether to show it on the bill using check boxes.
The reports tab allows you to view personal time reports and administrative reports. Personal reports are limited to time reports and project overviews for your time. Administrative reports include reports for customers, projects, timekeepers, activities, and time and expenses. There are about 25 total reports.
The maintenance screen is where new customers, timekeepers, projects and activities can be entered. The import and export features are included here as well. Adding, editing and deleting any of these items is quick and easy to accomplish.
The settings screen allows you to set up your firm information, time units, time limits, automatic approval settings, terminology and other defaults. You can also enter personal information for each timekeeper, including contact information. Customizable views for entering time can be set in the customizable settings link.
Training and support are free to both trial period users and licensed users. Custom programming is available if your firm has some specific reporting or tracking needs, as well as integration with other programs that you use. A consultant program is available to consultants to implement TimeLedger for clients, including initial and ongoing fees.
TimeLedger’s web-based approach allows you to enter time and view information from anywhere with Internet access. The Palm interaction allows you to enter your time even when you don’t have access. The cost of TimeLedger is $12.95 per month per user or $99.95 per year. Larger firms can get a volume discount.
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