Web Timesheet

Term Definition
Web timesheets are timesheets that are created through an Internet or intranet and provide an online method to track hours worked. Web timesheets may be part of a software application that supports project management or a stand-alone module. The web timesheet may interface with a company's payroll applications, which eliminates duplicate data entry and reduces payroll errors. Employees enter their time online from any location. The web timesheet application will calculate hours worked, overtime, and paid time off facilitating compliance with FLSA and other applicable laws.

Timesheets were originally developed for employers to track the number of hours worked for payroll. However, timesheets are no longer used just for payroll. Timesheets are used to record the start and end time of tasks or simply the duration of the task. Timesheets may contain a detailed breakdown of tasks accomplished by the individual(s) who worked on the task. The information can be used for project costing, job estimation, tracking, management, client billing and payroll.

Tracking time can reduce an organization's costs by making payroll processing more efficient, by making costs visible so you can lower them, and by automating billing & invoicing. Tracking time can also increase revenue through automated billing. Automated billing facilitates client invoicing by providing access to accurate data for all the hours worked by consulting staff. This in turn expedites the invoicing process avoiding billing backlog. In turn, payments are received much faster and the inconvenience of missed bills is eliminated. Web timesheets provide an additional advantage of allowing employees to track time from any location. This is critical when organizations have consultants or off-site employees.

Timesheets are a great asset in project management. In addition to providing data about the amount of time devoted to tasks, and hence the costs associated with those tasks, timesheets can also be used to build a body of knowledge about how much effort tasks take to develop. For example, if developing a training plan has historically taken a month, then it can be assumed that creating a new one will take a month.

Timesheet management software streamlines timesheet management, expense reporting, project accounting, project costing, time and billing, charge back and invoicing.

Area of Application
Project Accounting
Timesheet Policy

Related Terms
Online Timesheet
Timecard

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