So Many Clients, Two Ways to Bill Them
When it comes to billing in the modern law firm, practitioners have two choices.
Use billing software or practice management software with billing tools. Sure there are a thousand different programs, but they basically fall into these two categories.
So here are some ways to vet those many programs to help your firm make the best choice. It's a lot easier when you narrow it down to two.
Billing Software
All billing software is not created equal. Law firms need special features -- like trust accounting -- and generic software just won't do it.
Nicole Black, writing for the ABA Journal, has some keys for choosing a software solution for lawyers. It must have the following features:
- Editable, easy-to-read
- Shareable, electronic format
- Customizeable for contact information
- Links for electronic payment
- Trust account features
Time-tracking, of course, is the bread-and-butter of law practice. If your program doesn't include time-tracking, you're still in the paper era.
Practice Management Software
A stand-alone, billing program will do the job. But less is not more, like practicement software.
"When it comes to cloud-based legal practice management software, all the leading companies, including Clio, Rocket Matter and MyCase, have the ability to generate invoices from time entered using the software's time-tracking tools," Black says.
Black, who reps MyCase, says most "reputable" providers include features for trust accounting and general business accounting. She recommends testing invoice tools during free trial of any software.
In the evolution of smart devices, there's nothing quite like telling a computer to track and bill your time. Alexa, the voice of Amazon's Echo, can do that.
Have an open position at your law firm? Post the job for free on Indeed, or search local candidate resumes.
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