Consulting invoices is crucial when tracking billable hours and having all payment terms registered for easy access. Each category will impact the document, and the more complete it gets, the better for you and your clients.

We will show you how to make a professional consulting invoice template for your business. Follow each step carefully to create a perfect document for tracking applicable taxes and many other aspects of your operations.

But before creating our professional invoices, let’s see some important concepts. Here are the main things you should know before crafting your consulting invoice templates.

As the name suggests, this kind of invoice is a document dedicated to consulting businesses needing a tool to track crucial information.

It usually includes details regarding the payment method and the type of activity performed. Having precise documentation is indispensable when taking note of what the client specifically requested and the details in the final invoice. These timesheet invoices are often used as official documentation when legal actions are required.

As previously mentioned, the consulting invoice can work even as a legal document, but the reasons to make one go far beyond just that. Having flexible invoice templates, especially for recurring invoices, is a game changer for keeping everything organized and avoiding mistaking one client for another.

Moreover, the professional consulting invoice is also responsible for registering specific terms of the services provided and other relevant information, like the invoice date and the online payment methods chosen by the client. It is a complete document that covers all the information that needs to be recorded for better management.

Now that you know what a consulting invoice is and why it is so important to have a dedicated template, it is time to create quality documents for your clients. Follow each step carefully to guarantee that the invoice will fit all your needs and expectations.

Title and Description

The first information that must be easily identifiable in your consulting invoice is the title and description of the service being performed. This makes it easier for the client to identify the correct invoice and service they are paying for.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that you must write the type of service. Like in the example above, a simple logo that clarifies it is enough.

Company Details

To avoid any mistakes and misunderstandings, the information regarding your company must also be clearly placed at the top of your consulting invoice. This way, your clients are sure that they are paying for the right services and that the money will go to the correct destination.

Moreover, this information serves as contact information in case of any doubt or question that needs clarification. Details like address and email contact are some of the most important.

Client Details

Along with the details of your company, you must also identify to whom the invoice is destined. When making recurring invoice documents and working with a high volume of timesheets, this becomes indispensable to avoid mistakes.

Having a clear field for the client’s information ensures they won’t pay for a service they didn’t receive. Simple information like name and email address is already enough for this kind of template.

Invoice Date

When making a timesheet invoice, you must also identify when the document was delivered to the client. This impacts other document elements when sending professional invoices, especially regarding the payment terms registered in the invoice template.

Whether you are an independent small business consultant or a big organization dedicated to business consulting, this information must be in the document. It will be decisive in case the document gets used for legal purposes.

Invoice Number

When making an invoice template, the most crucial piece of identification is the invoice number of the document. Each timesheet must have a unique number that will work as an identification.

This tip must be followed by companies of all kinds and sizes, whether making templates for large financial consulting firms or independent small business consultants. The more invoices you make, the harder it will be to locate the document you are looking for, and the invoice number is the key to making this task easier.

List of Items

Next, feature a list containing all the items and services provided to the client in your template. Depending on the invoice style and the applicable receipts, you must assign the number of hours dedicated to each item.

Along with these numbers, you also need to assign the hourly price of the item and the total value of each one considering the time invested.

Due Date

After combining physical payment or other online payment methods, you must also assign a due date for your client. Sometimes a consulting project might be something recurrent and need periodical payments.

These dates need to be clearly identified in your document. This way, it makes it easier for you and your client to keep track of these values.

Taxes

Sometimes, a consulting invoice template will also feature taxes along with the value of the consulting work. These taxes regard the payment method and other expenses that are not directly related to the consulting service itself.

When you charge these values, they must be clearly visible in the document. This way, the clients will know exactly what they are paying for.

Subtotal and Total

The last items that should be included in the consulting invoice template are the values regarding the subtotal and total value of the document. The subtotal is the price referring only to the services provided and the total number of hours of each one.

On the other hand, the invoice total regards these values plus taxes and other values incurred. Make sure you highlight the total value to avoid payment mistakes.

There are tons of tools available online when it comes to creating your own invoice template; each has its own tools and features. Among all the options available, we highly recommend using Microsoft Word.

It not only has some of the best features, but it is also an industry standard. You can get your Microsoft Office activation key at RoyalCDKeys for a considerably lower price, helping you to save money.

If you don’t want to create your template from scratch, we have a solution! Here are some examples you can download and use for your consulting business:

Template #1

Template with space for company logo. It’s a document containing all the important information for a professional invoice.

Get this template

Template #2

Simple consulting invoice. Black and white template containing the essential categories for the document.

Get this template

Template #3

Consulting invoice template for list of items. Can be used by different types of businesses.

Get this template

Now that you know everything you need, it is time to start creating your own template. Follow each step carefully to ensure a document that fits all your needs.

Remember to include all the important categories for a professional template. Using MS Word, you can create a template that fits your type of business and deliver the perfect experience for your clients.