LEDES Invoicing With Time59 - Part 2

In part 1 we discussed that a LEDES formatted invoice contains the same line item information as a standard invoice. In addition, each line item contains codes that allow the client's computer systems to analyze the content of the invoice.

In this post we will discuss these codes in detail.

LEDES coding is used for both time and expense records.

A time record will always have a Timekeeper Code assigned to it. Time59 allows you to define as many timekeepers as you require. These timekeeper items will then appear in a drop down list when you are creating a time record. You simply select the timekeeper that is associated with the time you are entering.

Timekeeper information on a LEDES invoice consists of two values. One is the timekeeper name and the other is a unique value that identifies the timekeeper. By default Time59 assigns a unique value to each timekeeper that you define. Most clients receiving the invoice will accept this default value. In some situations however, the client may request that a specific timekeeper code value be used. Time59 allows you to set up specific timekeeper values to satisfy these requests.

Time records may also be assigned two other types of codes. UTBMS Task Codes and UTMBS Activity Codes. (UTBMS stands for Uniform Task Based Management System.)

Expense records may be assigned UTBMS Expense codes.

The standard set of values for UTBMS task, activity, and expense codes are predefined in Time59. They will appear in drop down lists when entering time and expense records.

Not all clients will require that all of these codes be used. For example, a particular client may only require that Time Task codes be specified and does not require Activity or Expense codes.

Some clients may request you to use non-standard codes. Time59 allows you to define custom codes as required by different clients.

Time59 makes it easy to encode time and expense entries for LEDES invoicing. It is also flexible enough to accomodate special requests from clients.

Part 3 will cover the actual production of the LEDES invoice file.