Free Consultant Timesheet Template
Consultants bill by the hour or day, making accurate time records essential for both invoicing and client trust. A timesheet lets you document exactly which engagements your hours belong to and provide clients with a clear breakdown. Most consulting contracts require timesheets as supporting documentation before payment is released.
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What should a consultant put on a timesheet?
A consultant timesheet records billable hours by project and task, with the date, a description of the work, and the time spent. Note the client, the workstream, and whether the entry is billable. Clear, dated entries turn a week of varied work into an invoice a client can read and approve quickly.
Typical line items
- Date of work
- Client and project reference
- Task description
- Workstream or phase
- Hours worked
- Billable or non-billable flag
- Day or hourly rate
- Running total for the period
How the work is charged
Consultants usually charge a day rate or hourly rate, logging time against each project and task. Time on extra meetings or scope beyond the brief is recorded separately so it can be billed without dispute.
Payment terms and deposits
A timesheet supports an invoice rather than collecting payment itself. Many consultants bill weekly or monthly against logged time, so keep entries dated and described well enough to stand up to client review.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, that applies on the invoice the timesheet supports, not the timesheet itself. Rules vary by place, so check what applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
Should I log travel time on my consulting timesheet?
That depends on your contract. Many consulting agreements specify whether travel time is billable and at what rate. Review the terms and note travel time separately on your timesheet so the client can see it clearly, even if some of it is non-billable.
How granular should my timesheet descriptions be?
Descriptions should be specific enough that the client can verify the work against the agreed scope. Entries like 'research' or 'meetings' are too vague. Write something like 'interviews with warehouse manager and logistics lead regarding order fulfilment delays'.
Can I bill for preparation time before a client workshop?
Yes, if it is within scope. Preparation is legitimate billable work. Include it as a separate line item with a description such as 'workshop agenda and materials preparation' so the client sees it as distinct from the facilitation itself.
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Read the complete timesheet guide to see how to log hours and turn a tracked timesheet into an invoice.
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