How to Use the Timer in QuickBooks

The QuickBooks Timer is a separate program that can run on its own without QuickBooks. Time recorded with the QuickBooks Timer can be added to customer invoices when you do Timer and Expense billing.

➥ For more information, see “Time and Expense Invoicing,” p. 303. in Laura Madeira’s QuickBooks 2012 In Depth

Features of the QuickBooks Timer include:

• Track time spent on a task using a clock timer, or enter the time after you have done the work.
• Track time without having access to the QuickBooks data.
• Give a copy of the QuickBooks Timer program to people whom you want to track time such as employees or subcontractors.

The basic workflow for using the QuickBooks Timer requires some manual processes so be sure it is the right solution for you. The process includes the following four steps:

1. Once installed, the administrator of the QuickBooks file exports the current list of Service Items, Customers and Jobs, Vendors, and Employees.
2. The time keepers receive this file via email or on a removable storage device like a USB. The lists are imported into each individual QuickBooks timer file.
3. The time keepers track their time and then when completed export the time to a file.
4. The QuickBooks file administrator receives the file(s) and imports the time.

Each time the customers, jobs, vendor, employees, or service list items change a new export file must be sent and imported by each time keeper.

From Laura Madeira’s QuickBooks 2012 In Depth