Use Timesheets for Productivity, Not Billing

Back office support calls for flat rates. Here’s why.

By Penny Breslin
It’s Not Just the Numbers

Let’s get to the big questions that confound professional service providers of all types in today’s tech environment:

How do I charge my client for these services?
How do I continue to get paid?
How do I charge hourly for processes that will be taking less and less time because of the application of technology?

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Fixed Pricing

Flat-rate billing is the logical choice for back office support (BOS) services. This fixed pricing is typically used for monthly recurring work. We can do this by knowing how long it takes to create any given transaction. There will be swings in time, but the idea is that the fixed monthly rate considers the busiest season or months for the business. That way, on less heavy months, you receive the same rate and it makes up for the times when the workload increases.

Posted on January 2, 2024

Penny Breslin

About the Author

Penny Breslin is co-author with Damien Greathead of It's Not Just the Numbers, published by CPA Trendlines.

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Co-author Damien Greathead

She is the founder of MoneyPenny, a consulting firm specializing in helping accounting firms and other businesses embrace the power of technology to simplify their operations and increase their profit margins.

Drawing on her years of experience and her knowledge of what it takes to run a successful business, Penny oversees the development of back-office processes for her client firms. From the initial evaluation of the firm’s workflow to technology selection to assisting in the on-boarding of the firm’s clients, Penny works with her clients to maximize the benefits of a paperless and cloud-based firm. Penny has been recognized by Worldwide Who’s Who for showing dedication, leadership, and excellence in providing quality consulting services to an international clientele made up of CPA firms and other businesses.

Penny holds a Master of Business Administration in Global Management and is a member of the Intuit Pro-Advisor Group. She's also a Xero Certified Advisor, a member of the Wave Pro Network, and a FreshBooks consultant. She has also co-authored the book, “CFO Services for the Accounting Firm: How to Start.” A firm believer in being able to work from anywhere, you’ll often find Penny running her business on the beach after a morning surf session. She’s also an avid supporter of Meals on Wheels and Oxfam.

Damien Greathead is Head of Accountant and Advisor Marketing for Intuit Quickbooks, based in Sydney, NSW, Australia. He's passionate about helping accountants and bookkeepers have a lasting impact on their small business clients. He's worked with hundreds of firms around the world to help evolve their business models for great growth and profitability. He speaks to accountants and bookkeepers on cloud technology, service definition and pricing, and marketing. Prior to joining Intuit, he was head of marketing at Practice Ignition and Vice President of Business Development at Receipt Bank, North America (now Dext). He can be reached on Linkedin

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