Flat and fixed fee examples
Flat fee types include project-based, life-of-matter, and monthly recurring arrangements, with set rates and classification for auditing and invoice specifications.
There are 3 common flat fee arrangement types:
- Project-based Flat Fee:
- The cost covers an entire project.
- Work hours aren't specified.
- There may be multiple billings on 1 invoice.
- An invoice may also cover a blended arrangement that includes hourly billing.
- Flat Fee for Life of Matter:
- The unit rate reflects the cost of the entire matter.
- Hours aren't specified.
- There's 1 bill.
- Monthly Reoccurring Flat Fee:
- The unit rate reflects the monthly cost amount.
- Hours aren't specified.
- There's a bill each month.
Timekeeper rate approval
- Timekeeper Base Rate(BASE_RATE) =2000(or 2500)
- Timekeeper Effective Rate(EFFECTIVE_RATE) =2000noteBase Ratecan be more thanEffective Rateif it's reflecting a discount.
- Timekeeper ID(TIMEKEEPER_ID) =FF-2000(or FF or MJ-2000)noteWe suggest using a descriptiveTimekeeper IDand having a separateTimekeeper IDapproved for an hourly rate.
- Timekeeper Name(TIMEKEEPER_NAME) =Mary Jones(or Flat Fee)noteYou can specify a person’s name or a generic title.
- Timekeeper Classification(TIMEKEEPER_CLASSIFICATION) =FLTFEEnoteThe company needs to turn on timekeeper classificationFixed/Flat Fee (FLTFEE). The amount to have approved and use isFLTFEE.
LEDED specifications
- Line Item Type(EXP/FEE/INV_ADJ_TYPE) =F
- Units(LINE_ITEM_NUMBER_OF_UNITS) =1
- Unit Cost(LINE_ITEM_UNIT_COST) =2000
- Timekeeper ID(TIMEKEEPER_ID) =FF-2000(or FF or MJ-2000)
- Timekeeper Name(TIMEKEEPER_NAME) =Mary Jones(or Flat Fee)
- Timekeeper Classification(TIMEKEEPER_CLASSIFICATION) =FLTFEE
- Line Narrative(LINE_ITEM_DESCRIPTION) =noteWe suggest providing a narrative referencing “flat fee” along with a description of the arrangement and work completed.
- Task Code(LINE_ITEM_TASK_CODE) =noteWe suggest using Custom Task Codes to identify and categorize each project.
Company side auditing
Flat fee audits vary by type but the approved
Unit Rate
is subject to Timekeeper Audit to make sure it's not exceeded.To restrict how much or how often it can be billed, you'll need to do the following:
- For aProject-based Flat Feewhere the $2,000 cost covers an entire project, use 1 of the following:
- ALaw Firm Budgetif the timeline is known.
- Task Code Alertsto set limits on the use of specific task codes.
- For aFlat Fee for Life of Matter, use 1 of the following:
- ALaw Firm BudgetwithTime Period for Comparisonset toTotal for Matter.
- TheCapped FeeorFixed or Flat FeeAlternative Fee Arrangement (AFA).
- For aMonthly Reoccurring Flat Fee, use the following:
- A Law Firm Budget withTime Period for Comparisonset toFiscal Year to Date.