I wanted to review in more detail the billing workflow for attorneys that I am using.  It is one of my most precious routines to work with Hubdoc/LeanLaw/QuickBooks. There are many steps are involved in this workflow. If you miss one, it may make your workflow a bit clunky. In the video below the entire process is demonstrated. It’s pretty sweet and automated.  LeanLaw is the BEST option when working with QuickBooks Online.  When it comes to billing, it is hands down a much better process than some of the other law/accounting apps out there.  Do you like fewer clicks?  Then you will love LeanLaw.  Do you need Ledes billing?  It is part of the LeanLaw platform.   Here is a past post with the complete workflow I use in my firm.

Here are my top 4 reasons to use the workflow I have created:

• 1Adding billable expenses: Either directly into LeanLaw or a much better process is directly into Hubdoc via an email from your vendor to the unique email address for Hubdoc for your firm.  Here you will code the transactions with the matter and the description as shown in the video.  The importance of adequately tracking the expenses cannot be understated especially with working with trust accounting.
• 2Adding the billable time:  Here the attorney will either use the time functionality of LeanLaw or the direct input of time into the program, so it is ready to bill to the client/matter.
• 3Creating draft invoices, including the two steps above.   These drafts allow the attorneys to review the client billing before submitting into QuickBooks Online.
• 4Once approved, creating the invoice and pushing it into QuickBooks for processing and sending to the client.  Now this step can be removed if the attorney is doing the billing on their own directly.   It is all part of the features in LeanLaw setup under the billing workflow tab.

A Typical Scenario….

My typical workflow when working with lawyers that want me to assist in the billing involves setting a date that we will do the billing. Generally it is once per month.  Then the workflow above is part of the process.  I will inform the attorneys to let them know when the drafts are processed. They communicate to me if they are approved or need to go back to be changed or adjusted. Once fully accepted, we process them in the manner appropriate for the firm.  That may involve emailing them to the client or printing the and mailing them.

The Video Demo….

In the video below, the steps above outlined.  You will see the importance of adding the description and what happens when you don’t add it on the bill.  Discover why using this workflow will save you time and money!

If you have any questions or would like to see a future video on another topic, please reach out to me on Facebook.