Communication Designs, Inc.
Time Accounting and Accountability Policy (effective 01/08/01)

Communication Designs, Inc. uses an online timesheet system for recording billings. Below are the instructions for the Calendar Year 2002 system along with a brief policy statement. By logging in and submitting time, you are acknowledging your agreement with the policies below.

Timesheets and Billing

The timesheet system at http:\\tsheet.com represents the official timesheet for work performed for Communication Designs, Inc. and its clients. In the event of an audit by any client, this system will be considered the final record of when and how many hours were worked. Because the system is also used for budget tracking and accountability to the client, all hours incurred MUST be entered into the system as soon after they are worked as practical (preferably at the end of each business day). It is required that all timesheets be kept up-to-date on a weekly basis (by midnight Saturday night). A note section is provided to provide a brief description of work performed. The description need only provide a general description (e.g. prepared draft article) identifying the deliverable product for which the work was done, but may be used to provide greater detail if desired by the client or person entering the hours.

All billing is on the honor system. Communication Designs, Inc. invoices only direct, productive labor hours. The rule of thumb for billing a customer is answered by a simple question modeled after the Golden Rule. "If I were the client and had an extremely tight budget, would I be willing to pay for this time?" If you cannot say with absolute certainty that the time being charged provided a direct benefit to the client and furthered the development of a deliverable item in a tangible way, the time should probably not be billed. Travel time to and from meetings or other engagements related to a project are considered direct productive labor. Learning curves to gain better understanding of the project (appropriate Internet research, reading background documents, germane and topical discussions with client) are compensable if within a range acceptable to the client. Learning curves gaining new skills (e.g. learning a new software package) are not compensable.

Invoicing

All time must be accurately entered into the system by midnight on the last day of the month. At that time, the system will automatically be cleared to allow for invoicing of that month's work. All hours recorded at that time will be considered invoiced by the subcontractor. To obtain a copy of the monthly invoice for your own records, click "Edit Time" in the main timesheet window and print or save the resulting display. Hours not recorded in the system at the close of the month will not be billed to the client nor compensated by Communication Designs, Inc. without a written (e-mail is fine) explanation filed within the first two business days following the end of the month. The written explanation must include an explanation of why hours could not be entered into the system prior to the close of the month and must include a submission of missing hours (project name, labor category, dates, times, and description of services). Where possible Communication Designs, Inc. will attempt to include these hours in monthly billings, but at its discretion, may include these hours in the billing cycle for the following month.

Accounts Payable

All hours entered into the system at the end of each month will be considered invoiced to Communication Designs, Inc. The amount due will be that shown on the timesheet. If this amount is not accurate or is in question, please contact Mike Hart immediately to identify and correct any errors or discrepancies. Payment will be rendered within 5 business days of when Communication Designs, Inc. receives payment from the customer billed for those services. All charges disputed for payment by the client will be subject to the same.

Timesheet Interface

Clock In
If you want to use the system as a "real-time" time clock stem you may, though it is not required. To begin, select the appropriate project and click the "ClockIn" button when you begin work on a project. This starts the time ticking. When you are finished working, click "Clockout" and enter any notes to describe the work performed.

Project List < Labor Category>
Pull-down menu to select the project you wish to bill to. If the project you are working on is not on the list or you have a question as to which project to bill to, contact Mike Hart immediately.

Adjust the Date and Start time
To enter time worked, first enter the correct values in the Date and Start Time windows and enter the number of hours worked in the space marked with the "#." After entering time in this window, you can check or adjust the work in the "Edit Time"

Notes
Enter the description of work performed in the notes field

Post Time
Once all information is correct, click the "Post Time" button to make it official.

Edit Time
Verify hours and note entries. Make edits as needed.