PCLaw Task Codes v Exp Codes
In PCLaw, you must identify a task code for each time or fee entry you make. Task codes categorize the work done, and identify whether an activity is billable, non-billable, or a write up/down adjustment. By assigning a task code to a time entry, you indicate where the time entry should appear in a report that is printed by task code, for example, the Time Listing report.
You can assign a default explanation to a task code. Then, when you use the task code on a time or fee entry, the default explanation is automatically assigned. Task codes are categorized as Billable, Non-Billable or Write Up/Down. When a task code is used on a time or fee entry, its category is automatically assigned. Subsequently, when you produce a report such as the Time Summary, you can request that only Billable Tasks, Non-billable Tasks, or Both be included on the report. The Non-Billable category is usually assigned to administrative tasks that are not billed to clients. When you use a non-billable task code on a time entry, the hourly rate is automatically set to zero but can be overridden if necessary. When you use a non-billable task code and a matter nickname on a time entry, you receive a warning to that effect, and are given an opportunity to change the time entry. You can assign an hourly rate to a task code. Then, when that task code is used on a time entry, the default rate is automatically assigned to the time entry. The only exception to this rule is when the task code is a non-billable category. Then, the hourly rate of zero is assigned. If you are adding a task code for task-based billing, you must assign to it a type of law. This indicates to which code set the task code belongs.
The default task code assigned to new matters is defined on the Matter tab of System Settings.
Explanation codes simplify working with transactions, such as time entries, fee entries, expenses or receipts. When you first set up PCLaw, you were provided with the standard set of explanation codes.
Explanation codes identify commonly performed activities. Each explanation code is associated with a nickname, a large descriptive text (for example, “payment on overdue account”) and, optionally, a G/L account (used for disbursements and expense recoveries). (The associated G/L account is only available for firms using G/L accounting). If taxes have been enabled on the Tax tab of System Settings, you can associate a tax category with the explanation code. Then, when the explanation code is used in the allocation area of expense recoveries and general checks, this tax code will be used when the item is billed to a matter.
Not only can explanation codes be used in Explanation boxes, but they can also be used for short forms in "To and From" boxes of checks and receipts. Explanation codes have an associated category, which determines whether the code is available for use by all entries, time entries only, or expense entries only.
You can also use explanation codes to summarize charges with the same explanation code into a single line on a bill, and set the conditions under which this would happen. Summarizing is only available for explanation codes for expense entries. You cannot summarize explanations for time entries.
When Quantity x Rate capabilities are enabled on the Data Entry tab of System Settings, you can assign a default rate to explanation codes. This rate is used by default for all Quantity x Rate calculations in the amount box of general checks, expense recovery entries, and accounts payable invoices. You can override this rate at the time of entry. Use this feature to assign the cost of photocopies, for example, to the Photocopies explanation code.
When Markup is enabled on the Data Entry tab of System Settings, you can assign a specific markup percentage to an explanation code. When that explanation code is used for expense recoveries, general checks, and accounts payable invoices, the markup percentage will be assigned. The rate associated with an explanation code overrides any rate associated with a specified matter, but can be overridden at the time of entry.
