Timekeeper Budgets

Timekeeper budgets are a task-based billing method that records the number of hours spent by a timekeeper on a matter. The Timekeeper Budget is created on an annual basis.

Timekeeper Budget is available only if it is configured for your client in LexisNexis® CounselLink®.

The Timekeeper Budget is categorized by the following three codes:

Code	Description
Task Code	The Task code describes the task performed by the timekeeper. Task codes also include expenses billed to the matter and are the standard task codes of the Legal domain.
Phase Code	Phase code describes the phase of the work performed on a matter
Custom Code	Custom codes are task codes predefined by the client users. Client users can create a timekeeper level budget or can request law firms to select the timekeepers and estimate the hours of timekeepers that are to be billed. If the budgets are submitted by law firms, the client users review that budget. They can edit, approve and decline the Timekeeper Budget.

This article covers the following:

• Adding or Removing a Timekeeper on a Timekeeper Budget
• Editing Timekeeper Amounts
• Importing a Timekeeper Budget
• Exporting a Timekeeper Budget

Adding or Removing a Timekeeper on a Timekeeper Budget

Before budget amounts are added on a Timekeeper Budget, you must first add timekeepers. Clients may perform this task, or they may ask your firm.

You can edit the amounts for timekeepers before you add them, but you will only have the option to add amounts for 'Others.' See the steps in the section on importing below to learn how to import timekeepers from a spreadsheet. Importing timekeepers can save you time if you have many timekeepers to add, and it allows you to import their amounts.

1. Click a budget link in the Financials panel on the homepage.

   

2. Under the Budget Title column, click on the title of the budget where the timekeeper is to be added. The Budget Overview page displays.

3. Under the Amounts tab, place a check mark in the check box that's associated with the Law Firm. 

   

4. The actions that can be performed are displayed. Perform tasks/ actions as appropriate.

Adding a Timekeeper

1. Click Add Timekeeper. The Add Timekeepers window displays.

   

2. Place a check mark in the box next to the timekeeper(s) to be added from one of the following:
   • Law Firm Office tab: All timekeepers for the office will appear here.
   • Fee Offer tab: Only timekeepers present on the fee offer for the matter will appear here. Selecting timekeepers from this tab will pre-populate the rates when adding budget amounts.
3. Click the Add button.

Removing a Timekeeper

1. Click the Remove Timekeepers button. The Remove Timekeepers window displays.

   

2. Place a check mark in the check box that's associated with the timekeeper(s) to be removed.
3. Click Remove.

Editing Timekeeper Amounts

Back to top

Once timekeepers are added, you can edit their hours and rates.

See the steps in the section below to learn how to import timekeeper amounts from a spreadsheet. Importing amounts can save you time if you have many timekeepers to update.

1. Click a budget link in the Financials panel on the homepage.

   

2. Under the Budget Title column, click on the title of the budget. The Budget Overview page displays.

3. Under the Amounts tab, place a check mark in the check box that's associated with the Law Firm. 

   

4. Place a check mark in the box that's associated with the Law Firm Office.

5. Click the Edit Amounts button. The Edit Budget Amounts confirmation window displays.

   

6. Update the fields as necessary.

   The 'Others' field is used to capture the spend activities for timekeepers that are not currently listed.

7. Complete the Key Matter Assumptions field.
8. Click Save.

Importing a Timekeeper Budget

Back to top

Importing or exporting timekeepers, hours, rates, and amounts can be edited in a Microsoft® Excel® sheet and uploaded to the budget. If you are updating a budget, you can export the timekeeper information first, update it, then reimport. If you need a template for importing, follow the instructions below to download one.

You must have the Budget Contact role to import a budget.

1. On the Budget Overview page, place a check mark in the box next to the Law Firm Office.
2. Click More Actions.

3. Select Import Budget.

   

   The Import Timekeeper Budget window displays.

   

4. Optional: If you need the import template, click Budgets.xlsx and a file will download to your computer.
5. Click Choose a file or drag and drop a file into the window.

6. Click Import. The Import Timekeeper Budget Status page displays.

   

   A summary of the Timekeeper Budget records imported is displayed. See the section below if you have errors on your status report.

7. Click Continue to import the data from the selected file.
8. Click Done.

Viewing a Timekeeper Status Report

The status report of the Timekeeper Budget is viewed using View Status Report feature.

1. Click View Status Report.
   The Import Timekeeper Budget Status Report page opens. The status of the budget records imported is displayed.

2. Select one of the following options, to filter the records:

   Option	Description
   All	Displays all the budget records that are added or updated.
   Add	Displays all the budget records that are added.
   Update	Displays all the budget records that are updated.
   Error	Displays all the budget records that have errors.
   No Update	Displays all the budget records that have not been updated.

3. To print the status report, click Printable Record.
4. When finished, click Close.

Exporting a Timekeeper Budget

Back to top

The export feature exports the current timekeeper budget to a Microsoft Excel sheet. This topic explains how to export the Timekeeper Budget.

You must have the Budget Contact role to import a budget.

1. On the Budget Overview page, place a check mark in the box next to the Law Firm Office.
2. Click More Actions.

3. Select Export Budget.

   

The template is downloaded to your computer.