Talking about providing clients with detailed time tracking... At the moment, I have an excel invoice that I created and each day I put the date a brief (very brief) description of what I did and plug in the time I spent doing it. I use formulas and have my hourly rate in there so it figures it all out for me. I also have a section at the bottom where I have the mileage (also formula based) and can add all other additional charges (my client insists on paying me mileage and for all materials, but I haven't really had many since the start of the project). Anyhow, I'm curious, is it normal business practice to tell them what you did and how much time you spent on something or do you only provide that if they ask?

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

I use MS Accounting Express and also started using FreshBooks for those who want to pay online using PayPal etc.

I'm just starting my business so this is great information and feedback. I'm taking notes on all of it so I can start creating my billing policy before I begin marketing.

Thank you :-)

Interesting responses here. I use Excel.

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Carlana Charles - Ciboney Virtual Solutions
Web: http://ciboneyvirtual.com Blog:http://ciboneyvirtual.com/blog

Hi Everyone,

I used MS Accounting 2007, I found this works for me. However, I notice that Quickbooks online is great also (a client I work with uses the software). I was thinking about switching but I love it.

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Julian Johns
Administrative Data Services

Thanks for the great advice on invoicing. Quickbooks is also on my list of programs to learn too. I found a few Quickbooks instructional videos on YouTube. They are not very extensive, more of just an overview of the basics. I used Quicken years ago for my personal finances (also kept books for my church) and they seem somewhat similar. Does anyone know of an online website that offers training or instruction?

In all my research on starting a VA business, I came across two websites that offer free, yes I said free instruction on several Microsoft programs like Access, Word, Excel, and Power Point, but neither offers Quickbooks instruction.

Sandy J., Louisiana

I'm going to start out with using Excel but will also try Quickbooks online.

I am still trying to decide, (quickbooks or ms accounting) thanks for the info...

Before you choose decide what other software or online services you will be using. There are a lot that works well with Quickbooks. I am just MS fan.

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Julian Johns
Administrative Data Services

Originally Posted by VAstResources

Thanks for the great advice on invoicing. Quickbooks is also on my list of programs to learn too. I found a few Quickbooks instructional videos on YouTube. They are not very extensive, more of just an overview of the basics. I used Quicken years ago for my personal finances (also kept books for my church) and they seem somewhat similar. Does anyone know of an online website that offers training or instruction? In all my research on starting a VA business, I came across two websites that offer free, yes I said free instruction on several Microsoft programs like Access, Word, Excel, and Power Point, but neither offers Quickbooks instruction. Sandy J., Louisiana

QuickBooks has free tutorials built-in to the software. You can access them from the help menu.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services