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jdrichardson
April 9, 2025
Question

Tracking Customer Time for Billing

  • April 9, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I have the need to track time for a customer/client. I seemed to see somewhere in QuickBooks Desktop 2021 an option to do this and now I cannot find it. Was it there or am I mistaken... 

 

Thanks!

    1 reply

    I
    Irene R
    April 9, 2025

    You can track time for your customer or client in your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) 2021, Jdrichardson. I'm here to navigate the location and ensure all setups are aligned.

     

    In QBDT, you can enter time manually through the Employee option in the menu. Before doing so, turn on the Track time option in your Company preferences.

     

    Here's how:

     

    1. Open your QBDT company file.
    2. Go to Edit, then choose Preferences.
    3. Go to Time and Expenses, then click the Company Preferences tab.
    4. Ensure to toggle the Yes option under Do you track time inquiry.
    5. Once done, click Ok.

     

    After that, you can then enter the time manually. To do this, follow the steps below:

     

    1. Go to Employees, then choose Enter time.
    2. Select Time/Enter Single Activity.
    3. Enter the necessary information needed.



    4. Once done, click Save & New.
       

    You can find further details on configuring your time tracking in this material: Set up time tracking in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

     

    Moreover, it is recommended to run the QBDT Tool Hub if you are unable to find these features. Detailed instructions regarding this process in this material: Fix common problems and errors with the QuickBooks Desktop Tool Hub.

     

    Additionally, you can run various time and job reports to see how your business is doing on a job-by-job. You can check this resource for more information about generating the report: Customize customer, job, and sales reports in QuickBooks Desktop.

     

    Tag my name in the reply if you need further assistance tracking time for your customer or client. I'm just a notification bell away.

    J
    jdrichardsonAuthor
    April 11, 2025

    I am not tracking employee time but that of customer time spent on a project or task.

    C
    CharmieH
    April 11, 2025

    Thanks for jumping back into the thread and clarifying your goals, @jdrichardson. You can track your customer's time by creating timesheets. Let’s walk through the steps together.

     

    Here's how:

    1. Navigate to the Customers menu, then select Enter Time.
    2. Choose either Use Weekly Timesheets or Time/Enter Single Activity.
    3. Choose a vendor or employee name from the NAME dropdown.
    4. Select the date using the Calendar icon.
    5. Assign the hours to the customer or job.
    6. Tick the checkbox under the Billable column.
    7. Once done, click Save & Close.

     

    Timesheets serve as a non-posting entry, which means they don't directly impact your financial reports. To include timesheet data in the Job Profitability or Company Financial Reports, you must first import the time into a bill or invoice. Please check this resource for more information: Track job costs in QuickBooks Desktop.

     

    To track the customer's time spent on a job, let's pull up the Time by Job Detail report. This will give us a clear view of the time allocation.

     

    Here's how:

    1. Navigate to the Reports menu, select Jobs, Time & Mileage, and click Time by Job Detail report.
    2. Customize the Dates and click anywhere to refresh the report.

     

    In addition, you can use this helpful resource as a guide to setting up custom rates or price levels. It provides simple steps on how to create and use them effectively: Billing rate levels.

     

    Do you need further assistance tracking your customer's time or other navigation in QuickBooks, @jdrichardson? If so, please use the Reply button to leave your questions. Thank you for reaching out to us.

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