Time tracking: Service rate sheets [in-depth guide]
Guide contents: Navigation | Overview | Create a new rate sheet | More options | Resources
Navigation
Admin/manager > System setup > Billing options > Service rate sheets
Create client-based custom billing rates for services. Service rate sheets can be set at the client level, automatically opening projects with the specified client rates.
NOTE: When changing the 'get rate from' in the project, the rate will be for new time entries only unless otherwise updated/recalculated.
Overview
Service rate sheets allow you to create multiple billing rates for your services. A service rate sheet can be pre-assigned to the client to be used as a default for the clients' projects (additional workflow setup required). This can also be used for creating rush rates, etc. Your staff continues to select their normal service, but depending on the project setup, the rate defined in the projects selected service rate sheet will automatically be used for billing purposes.
Rate sheets vs. rate levels
Rate levels is an antiquated/legacy method of creating different rates for the same service. The setting also needs a setting on the employee record to define which level the system should use for their time entries on the project. Though usable, this method is very restrictive and has been reduced to a legacy item.
Rate sheets allow you to set up your standard set of services, such as Jr copywriter vs Sr copywriter, and create any number of rate schemes that can be applied to a project. The staff simply selects the normal service and the variable rate will be used.
NOTE: While five rate levels may be visible in the setup of services, only enter information into Rate 1 field.
When setting up or viewing a rate sheet, the number of rate levels shown will correspond to the number of rate levels set on any service. For example, if the service, Account Management, was set up with the hourly rate 1 and hourly rate 2, and all other services are set up with hourly rate 1 only, the service rate sheet will display columns Rate 1 and Rate 2. If services are only set up with hourly rate 1, then the service rate sheet will only display the column, Rate 1.
Create a new rate sheet
Click the New button to add a rate sheet.
In the Rate sheet name text box, enter a descriptive name for the rate sheet.
For each service entered, the system will default in the rate from the standard services list. You can modify any individual rates by clicking in the Rate 1 box.
More options
Using the More button on an open rate sheet will show some additional options.
Edit name: Opens a text box where the name of the rate sheet can be changed.
Apply adjustment: Allows an across the board, percentage based adjustment to the figures on the rate sheet.
Set inactive: Will make this rate sheet inactive, preventing users from selecting it when setting the rates for a new project.