Happy Monday to you all.
I'm usually fairly accurate when it comes to estimating the time it'll take me to carry out my work, however I've just taken on two new clients, and having looked through their paperwork and the the services they require me to carry out, I can't even make an educated guess how long it'll take, they are both happy for me to bill them hourly.
Does anyone know of an app that times how long you work for each client? I could use a spreadsheet and log it manually but if there is an app it would be most helpful.
Thanks in advance
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Replies (10)
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OPENBOOKS
I use Openbooks for some of my clients and there is a time tracking feature for projects within it - I assume other similar software has this functionality too.
When I used to complete timesheets I used the journal in Microsoft Outlook and created a word or excel document which I opened and closed. It was useful for notes and the Journal logged how long the file was open each time
I have a large egg timer
For each client. I lay them horizontal when I am not working on the client, and then stand them up when I am working on that particular client. On occasion I have accidentally stood them up on the wrong end, and then been forced to take a brief holiday in the Bahamas to recover.
I use hours keeper on iOS. It's not amazing but it does the job of tracking time spent per client. Allows you to simply press start and stop, then invoice the cumulative WIP.
Toodledo
I use Toodledo (free) as I am often interrupted by the phone and client's coming in to the office. Easy to use and you can just stop and start the timer. Only downside is forgetting to stop the timer before leaving for the weekend! User error.
I still use manual timesheets
I have come a cropper many times with quoting fixed fees for bookkeeping, so am pleased you've quoted an hourly rate. Once you get to know the work/clients you can always quote a fixed fee later on.
I find manual timesheets are all I need. Adding up the hours and typing up the details to send to clients can take about 4 hours at the end of the month.
No matter what system you use, you've got the problems of how do you cope with the odd telephone discussion when you're working on another client's work and how do you cope when you suddenly realise 3 days later that you didn't put an end time last Thursday.
Quickbooks timer
I use QB timer for myself but you can check these apps:
http://www.fastcompany.com/3024249/10-time-tracking-apps-that-will-make-...
Please let us know your findings!
Timr
We use timr.
You can allocate project codes which can be chargeable, non chargeable, travelling, admin, etc.
The free version is sufficient for our needs.
Everything can be exported to excel if you want to run special reports or pivot data.
Hope that helps
Minutedock
Our business has used Minutedock for over a year. It its very unobtrusive, has great reporting functionality (tables, bar charts, pie charts, project / client breakdown, Excel export) and can sync with Xero.
Timekeeping Software
I have used Hourguard from NCH Software for years. Best of all it's free unless you need support