Billings Pro Help
Index

# About the Billings Pro Workflow

This article describes the recommended workflow for using Billings Pro. Although this is the most standard workflow, you may choose to customize it depending on your individual requirements. Generally, the Billings Pro workflow consists of the following stages:

1. Adding a client. A client is a person or company you work for. To add a client, choose File > Add Client. You can create a new client, or add clients from Daylite, Address Book, MoneyWorks 6 and/or QuickBooks IIF.
2. Making a project. A project is useful for grouping work—including slips (tasks), estimates, file links, web references, and notes—you do for a client. To create a new project, choose File > New Project.

   The Workers tab of the Project window has an option where you can select an approver for the slips belonging to that project. Only a user with Billings Pro access can be an approver. The "Approver" menu displays only users with Billings Pro access and you must select one among them. If an approver is not required, then this option must be set to "None Required." Further, you must specify who will be working on the project by selecting the appropriate checkboxes under "Project Workers." The selected workers will be able to login into Timecard and add/edit slips for the project.

3. Sending an estimate. An estimate calculates the approximate cost and time requirements for a project. To create an estimate slip, choose Slips > New Estimate Slip and then generate an estimate from the slip. If you don't send estimates to your clients, you can skip this step and start working right away.
4. Starting work. There are six different ways to start working:
   - Select an estimate slip and choose Slips > Start Working. Billings Pro creates a working slip that is linked to your original estimate, so you can later compare your estimated time or cost to the actual result.
   - Create a new slip in the Working Slips tab by choosing Slips > New Working Slip. Typically, you would do this if you need to record an expense, mileage driven, product sold, or to set up tasks you need to time.
   - In the Timers window, create a new slip and start timing it. When you are done, you must click the Checkmark button to mark the slip as completed and then link it to a project.
   - Using a hot key or by option-clicking the play/pause button in the Billings Pro menubar timer, create a new timed slip instantly from any application.
   - From the menubar timer, choose New Timed Slip. Start timing this slip when appropriate.
   - Certain workers (staff members) who are not given access to Billings Pro must use Timecard for creating timed, expense, and mileage slips for a project and send it for approval.
5. Approving slips. Slips linked to a project must be approved by the approver set for that project before invoicing them. To approve a slip, select the slip and choose Slips > Approve Slip. Upon approval, the slips are ready to be invoiced.
6. Sending an invoice. Billings Pro generates professional invoices that you can send to your clients. You can send the invoice on a per project basis or you can send a consolidated client invoice. To send a project invoice, select the working slip(s) and choose Project > Send Invoice. To send a consolidated client invoice, select the working slip(s) and choose Client > Send Invoice. You can customize your invoices, apply different styles, and choose a suitable delivery option.
7. Recording received payments. You can add payments and apply them against specific invoices to track your income. To make a payment, choose Client > Add Payment. Billings Pro also allows you to set up a retainer when you require a client to pay in advance.

## See also

Adding a new client

Making a project

Sending an estimate

Converting an estimate slip to a working slip

Approving slips

Sending an invoice

Adding a payment