This page is dedicated to Frequently Asked Questions about the Accounting and Finance Module.
For other FAQ pages please go to Trust Accounting FAQ's, Documents FAQ's, External Accounting System FAQ's or General FAQ's.
Q: When I’m making a disbursement/payment from disbursements, do I use Pay now or pay later? What is the difference?
A: Pay now is if you are making payment from a credit card or Cheque etc. Pay Later is to be into your Accounts Payable account for bulk payment later.
Q: I can’t update my Standard rate to $xxx (When editing settings – time billing)
A: Click on the Default Rate box and make sure it is empty before pressing the down arrow on your keyboard. This will give you a list of codes to choose from.
Q: Why can’t I invoice?
A: If you do not have the correct permissions, you would not be able to enter invoices or confirm them. Please specify what permissions are needed and for what users so that we can rectify this.
Q: I have a Mr & Mrs & company for a matter. How do I add them to the matter information?
A: 1. Set up the company as a client.
2. Set up Mr as a contact.
3. Set up Mrs as a contact
4. Make the company the principal contact on the file and then add Mr & Mrs as additional contacts.
Q. How do you delete an invoice?
A: Go to the invoice and press delete. This is only available up until the point the invoice is confirmed. After this point, you will need to post it to the external accounting system and then delete it there. After this, you need to delete it in WOL as well.
Q: Why aren’t my expenses appearing for my invoices?
A: Your expenses i.e. disbursements may not be appearing for billing if they have not been confirmed. Check that the have been entered for the right matter, on the correct date and have been confirmed.
Q: I’ve entered time for someone else, but now it has disappeared from my screen
A: After you enter time for someone else, if you navigate away from the Time Entry area, it will save and go to their time entry screen instead. This is to prevent people editing the same lines. Once it is submitted then anyone with permission can edit it.
See Entering time for another Fee Earner for more information
Q: Why don’t have a description when I put in a disbursement/recovery/invoice item?
A: You have not set up default Notes for that item. To do this go to Accounting and finance module > Lists > Items (invoice or disbursements etc) > Select the Item > Write the default description wanted in the Default Notes field.
When tabbing into the field, pressing the Right Arrow key will deselect the text and position the cursor at the end. Mouse click should use the End key to the same affect.
Q: How do I change my Charge Out Rates?
A: See Time Billing - Global Charge Rates for Global Rates or Time billing - Per-User Charge Rates for personal rates
Q: In the time sheet register what does adjust mean under Today's Statistics?
A: Adjust is any time entered to the task codes, write up or write down.
Q: How do I trun off the Approved Status?
A: Settings > Finance > Hide Approve Invoice Status
Q: How do I enter internal time (not linked to a client matter)?
A:
Option A: Enter all internal time to the task code, NB (non billable work). This means that it will not be available for billing. You will also need to change the rate to $0.00.
Option B: An internal matter is to be created - for all administrative time to be entered to.
Q: How do I record work I don't charge for but want shown on the bill?
A: Enter in the time as normal e.g. As Billable Work but change the Rate to $0.00
You can also enter into the description a prefix to the normal description indicating there is No Charge for that work.
Q: What is the NB (Non Billalble) code for when I am entering my time?
A: Generally this code is to be used for time that is not to appear on a bill or for non client work.
Q: Why is there 1 cent difference between WOL and my external accounting system? (Rounding)
A: In Wise Owl we have worked very hard to eliminate rounding issues.
Rounding issues really are part of life unfortunately. Some External Accounting Systems have known issues in the Accounts Receivable area which will result in 1 cent being left on debtors accounts, which should be checked and clearly quarterly if not monthly.
Please see procedure here to learn how to write off rounding.
Q: How do I change my default bank account for receipting?
A: Under Appliance Settings > Finance > Receipts > Default Receipt Account
Q: I can't find my SAI Global Searches. Where are they?
A: If you have entered in a matter number from your system, the search fee and document will be allocated to that matter. If you did not enter in a matter or types it incorrectly, the search fee and document will be allocated to the Error Matter within Wise Owl Legal. Click here for instructions on how to fix Error Matter entries.
Q: Why aren't my SAI Global searches coming up for billing?
A: Your searches are either going to be in Draft status or they have been attached to the Error Matter. Click here for help on the draft status. Click here for help on the Error Matter.