For hours to be billable, they must be spent on tasks directly related to client projects. Non-billable hours are hours worked on non-client tasks such as business administration. Calculate billable hours by multiplying your hourly rate by billable hours worked.
Billable hours are those you invoice to a client for services you've completed for them. This can mean anything from working on a named project to corresponding with the client or meeting them face-to-face. Non-billable hours are those you spend doing non-client-related work for your company.
You can either manually log the start and end times for each task or use time-tracking software that does it automatically. To calculate total billable hours, sum the time spent on all tasks for a client or project and multiply by your hourly rate to determine the total amount due.
Here are 10 time tracking tips to maximize your billable hours today! Track as you go, not at the end of the day. Track ALL your time with an automated tracker. Be aware of what counts as a billable hour. Describe your time spent in detail. Make sure everyone in your firm uses the same time tracking system.
As we mentioned, many law firms require their lawyers to work between 1,700 and 2,300 billable hours per year, depending on their situation. This means working between 142 and 192 hours per month, or between seven and ten billable hours per day.
The easiest way to track billable hours is by using time-tracking software, such as ManyRequests. These tools automatically log time spent on tasks, categorize them by project, and generate reports and invoices. They eliminate the need for manual entries, reduce errors, and ensure accurate billing.
Many consultants often use legal time tracking software to log their activities precisely. High-quality legal software distinguishes between billable hours vs. actual hours, ensuring every minute spent on client-related work is billed correctly and not overlooked.
In general, however, a common target is to aim for a billable-to-non-billable hour ratio of around 70 percent billable hours to 30 percent non-billable hours. In a nutshell, most MSPs should strive to keep at least 70 percent of your team's time dedicated to billable client work.
The Goal is Between 1,700 and 2,300 Hours Most law firms set a yearly billable hour target for their associates. This figure typically ranges between 1,700 and 2,300 hours, forming the average billable hour requirement.