Before time and expenses can be billed, they must first be approved. In addition to approving billable items, many companies also review and approve non-billable items submitted by employees.

BillQuick provides several time and expense approval options:

• Automatic approval

• Approval by the project manager

• Approval by the client manager

• Approval by an employee's supervisor

• Approval by a specific person or chain of individuals.

In addition to approving time and expenses, you can Un-Submit and Reject items submitted by a timekeeper.

To review, edit and approve time and expenses, your BillQuick Supervisor must grant appropriate security permissions.

Auto-Approve Entries

For companies that do not desire or need a separate step to approve time or expense entries, BillQuick's approval process can be automated. To automatically approve entries as they are entered:

1. Select System Settings from the Settings menu.

2. Click the Time/Exp tab.

3. Check the Approve Time Entry Automatically box to approve automatically time entries charged to any project by timekeepers.

4. To auto-approve expense entries, check the next box.

5. Optionally, you can retroactively approve all time or expense entries by clicking . This also activates the Auto Approve TE and EL options in each project profile.

Flexible Submit, Approve and Reject

Timekeepers submit time and expenses to a designated reviewer - client manager, project manager, their direct supervisor, or a specific person. Depending on a company's approval process, the reviewer may approve the items, reject them, or pass all or selected entries to another reviewer.

BillQuick can handle all these situations, from the simple review by one person to a chain of reviewers.

Submit Time and Expenses

1. On the Sheet View or Calendar View screen, highlight the entries you want to submit for approval (Ctrl-Click to the left of each row). You can highlight all entries or only those being submitted to a particular person for review. (Time records logged through the Timer screen are submitted through the Sheet View or Calendar View screen.)

2. Click .
   
   
    

3. On the Submit-Approve screen, click , , , or (as directed by management, the project manager, or your BillQuick Supervisor).

4. Click to close the screen.

The process is the same for submitting expense entries for review and approval.

Review, Approve, Reject

1. The review process begins on BillQuick's Company Navigator. When you log in, BillQuick determines if there are time or expense entries waiting for your review and approval. The list in the Workflow panel contains only items for which you are responsible.

2. Click the next to a name to view the list of projects charged by the timekeeper. Double-click the timekeeper's name to view submitted entries for the timekeeper (all projects), or double-click the project name to view entries charged to the project by the timekeeper.
   
   
    

3. Review the items on the screen - hours, activities, description, date, memo. For each entry, you need to decide whether to Approve, Reject or take no action at this time. To approve entries, highlight them then click . To reject one or more entries, highlight them, click , then click . Note: Timekeepers should check for rejected entries on the Submit/Approve panel on the Time & Expense Workflow Navigator.

More About Submit, Review and Approve

Depending on the security permissions granted to a user, time and expense entries can be edited by the timekeeper, reviewer, or admin staff. They can be edited before submission for review, after submission . . . even by a biller when they are billing a client. Also, time entries can be written up or down by a biller, individually or as a user-selected group, and by percentage or dollar amount. Finally, BillQuick displays a message for billers when there is unapproved time and expense entries within the chosen date range for the projects being billed.

BillQuick is back on the road, coming to a trade show near you. Come visit us and share your ideas and experiences with BillQuick. Ask about data conversions, implementation consulting, guided learning, and more ways we help you get up and running fast!

Hello New Jersey and New York!

In May, BQE Software will be at the New Jersey CPA Show, May 24-25, at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ. BillQuick is a featured add-on product in the Microsoft Small Business Accounting booth. We are ready to show you new features in BillQuick 2006, listen to your ideas on how to make BillQuick still better, and of course, show you our seamless integration with Microsoft Small Business Accounting and other accounting software.

Hello Arizona!

On May 31 to June 1, BQE Software will at the QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions user conference at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in Phoenix, AZ. BillQuick will be a featured add-on product of QuickBooks at the conference. Also, BQE Software will have a kiosk at the show.

Stop by and see a demonstration of BillQuick's extensive, seamless, real-time integration with QuickBooks Enterprise. Also, check out the new features in BillQuick 2006. And of course, feel free to ask questions.

Hello California!

In June, BQE Software joins Microsoft again at the California CPA Show, June 5-6, at LAX Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Again, BillQuick will be a featured add-on at the Microsoft Small Business Accounting booth. Come say hello, share your ideas, and if you are considering BillQuick for your firm, ask the most important question: Why BillQuick?

BQE Software will attend other major trade show events for architects and engineers (and others) during the year. Watch the BillQuick eLetter for announcements.

Welcome Architects to the City of Angels!

Are you one of the 20,000 architects expected to come to Los Angeles in  June?

BQE Software will be exhibiting at the AIA Convention 2006 in Los Angeles, CA at the Los Angeles Convention Center, June 8 to 10. BQE Software will be located in the High Tech Pavilion in a large 10 x 20 foot booth, ready to show you how BillQuick can help you manage your projects and time. Come check out the features you need to not only survive but thrive in today's competitive marketplace. Check out new features. Ask questions. Ask about data conversion from Wind2, Timeslips and other software to BillQuick. Let us show you why thousands of architects use BillQuick.

What is the #1 Reason why companies don't change software even when it is costing them time and money and frustrates and stresses users?

Converting the data.

When data must be manually re-entered into a new software solution and validated (checked), it can take 5 to 12 days (sometimes longer). Administrative and other staff are unavailable. Temporary staff may need to be brought in to help. Managers lose precious billable hours reviewing and overseeing the conversion process. The hours and cost add up quickly.

BillQuick includes built-in tools to electronically transfer data. For Timeslips users, a built-in conversion utility brings over master information, time, expenses, invoices, payments, and more - in detail. Similarly, QuickBooks users can populate their BillQuick database in a matter of minutes with detailed data.

For users of other time & billing systems, BillQuick's Import/Export function reads in data from comma- or tab-delimited text files (which can also be saved from Microsoft Excel) into BillQuick. While it requires a little technical knowledge, Import/Export is a proven tool that has saved thousands of hours among BillQuick's 50,000+ users.

But you want more!

BQE Software recognizes that many users need and want more service. They want someone else to handle converting the data. Why? Because staff and management:

• Do not have time to devote to the job.

• Do not have the technical confidence to do it.

• Prefer to tap the expertise of BillQuick's consultants.

BQE Software steps up to the plate with new data conversion services!

Whether it is Timeslips or QuickBooks, or it is Wind2, Unilink or CPAS, BQE Software will convert your data files to BillQuick. Our consultants will work with you to customize the data to convert. The conversion fee varies with what data and how much data you need converted to BillQuick.

Contact a BillQuick Account Rep to discuss BillQuick and our services at (888) 245-5669 or Sales@bqe.com.

Wait! There's More!

The #2 and #3 Reasons why companies don't change software are reports and learning time.

Information The Way You Want It

BQE Software again steps up to the plate to help. You want information the way you want it, because that is how you manage and that is how you communicate with clients. You want reports, statements and invoices to be exactly what you want. With BillQuick, if none of the 350+ reports or 95 invoice formats meet your specific needs, our Report Development Group will work with you to customize them or create new ones. To exactly what you want. And you know up-front what the cost will be. No surprises. (Of course, you can customize and create new items yourself using Crystal Reports, the defacto standard report writer for software.)

Contact BillQuick Report Development Services at 310-602-4030 or CustomReports@bqe.com.

Time For Learning

Learning is something sometimes forgotten.

Also, we humans don't change easily. We tend to avoid it because habits we ingrain in our mental processes are tough to change. It's a stressful process. Research shows it can take 2 to 3 weeks to become comfortable with a new habit. . .one like working with a new software package. The mere thought of learning new software makes even veteran software users hesitate.

BillQuick includes many features to help you through this process, from a basic tutorial to integration guides for your accounting software, to extensive online Help, How Do I mini-tutorials, and a printed 500-page manual. With these tools, many users self-learn BillQuick.

Self-learning by yourself can take time. And if there are time pressures to get things done, it adds more stress to the naturally stressful process of changing habits.

Again, BQE Software can help. BillQuick Guided Learning includes efficient, easy role-based training delivered by experienced, expert trainers. To keep costs as low as possible, training is conducted via the web. Trainers encourage questions to maximize the learning experience. Users who have taken one or more courses in BillQuick's Guided Learning curriculum report very high satisfaction with the training courses and with BillQuick. BillQuick Guided Learning courses includes:

• New Employee Orientation

• BillQuick for Timekeepers

• BillQuick for Billing Managers

• BillQuick-QuickBooks Integration

• BillQuick-Microsoft Small Business Accounting Integration

• BillQuick for Partners/Principals

• BillQuick for Project Managers

• BillQuick 1-on-1 (custom training for your firm)

Contact a BillQuick Account Rep to discuss BillQuick and our services at (888) 245-5669.

May is a special month. A VERY special month. Mom's got her day. We all love our mums.

Of course, that has nothing to do with BillQuick's May Special Offer. When you purchase BillQuick 2006 by May 31, 2006, you receive:

• Award-winning time billing and project management software

• 30 minutes of FREE Implementation Consulting

• 2 FREE months of Priority Support

• 1 FREE add-on module: BillQuick Agent, BillQuick Assistant, BillQuick Palm or CE, or BillQuick Mobile (for smart phones and cell phones)

• 20% off the BillQuick 2006 User Guide (a 500 page printed manual)

• 5% off 12 months of Priority Support (in addition to the 2 free months)

• 15% BillQuick Guided Learning web-based courses

Well...maybe it is a doubly special month.

Remember, this special offer ends May 31, 2006. Call toll free 888-245-5669 (or 310-602-4020) to take advantage of this HUGE opportunity.

Throughout BillQuick, screens contain a simple link, How Do I. How do I record a time entry. How do I apply filters. How do I automatically create projects.

These are simple to follow instructions. Short, efficient, and effective mini-tutorials that focus on one task, step-by-step. The BillQuick 2006 Help system contains over 70 How Do I's, covering everything from basic creation of master information to recording time and expense entries. Advanced tasks like using the Delayed Service Fee Schedule, locking projects at contract amounts, and setting up a day-rate.

For users who use certain features infrequently, How Do I's act as quick pit stops to gas up with needed knowledge before zoom-zooming off to complete the task. New users also benefit from the How Do I's. Combined with the BillQuick 2006 Tutorial or guided learning activities, How Do I's help new users raise their productivity back to high levels faster as they master BillQuick. 

Accountants! Earn CPE Credit

Now recognized by the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), BQE Software now is a qualified provider of continuing professional education (CPE) credits.

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who attend any BillQuick training course can now earn CPE credits while learning to maximize benefits from BillQuick.

CPAs earn 1 unit of CPA after attending 50 minutes of any of the live, web-based BillQuick training courses. After completing a course, attendees receive a course certificate that includes all information required for CPE credit.

Sign up today and earn your CPE credits!

$100 for the Best New Product Name

Your suggestions are still wanted. Earn a quick $100 for the best new product for BillQuick's set-it-and-forget-it workflow automation module.

Currently named BillQuick Agent, the add-on module handles:

1. Management Workflow Automation -- Monitor values for exceptions, that is, changes or conditions you define, such as budget spent reaching a threshold and excessive work in progress. It also alerts you instantly with an on-screen message, by email, or via text message on your PC, laptop or cell phone. Eliminates scanning reports to identify firm, project and employee exceptions.

2. Administrative Workflow Automation -- Monitors time cards for exceptions to your company policy regarding timely entry of hours. You can send delinquent timekeepers an email reminder.

3. Report Workflow Automation -- Schedule any BillQuick report (or any report created with Crystal Reports) to be produced when you want it -- daily, certain day of the week or month, etc., then have it emailed to any address(es), printed, and/or displayed on your screen.

We want your suggestions. And the best product name, chosen by BQE Software, wins $100. You can apply your winnings to any BillQuick product or service.

Monthly BillQuick Quizzer
Win $50!

Be one of the first 10 people to respond with the correct answer and win $50. You can apply it to any BillQuick product or service.

Which of the follow statements is true about BillQuick 2006's billing capabilities?

1. Billing Details is a new feature in BillQuick 2006.

2. BillQuick 2006 displays a message when unapproved time and expense entries exist in the billing date range.

3. There are 28 different fields that can be turned on/off on the Billing Review grid.

4. Memos can be added to one or multiple billing records at one time.

5. The Phased Invoice Wizard can also be used to produce joint invoices for projects without phases.

6. A, B, C, and D are true.

7. B, C, D and E are true.

8. A, B, D and E are true.

9. All statements are true.

10. None of the statements are true.

Hurry and send your answer to BQ-Quiz@bqe.com. You could be a winner!

Be one of the first three BillQuickers to answer the May Quizzer right, and you not only win $50 but you gain international notoriety! Our top three April winners were:

1. Steve Donaldson of Steve Donaldson Consulting

2. Samuel Garner, CPA of Family and Children's Therapy Services

3. Tom Loomis of Arcanum Solutions

Current BillQuick Release Information

Latest BillQuick 2006

BillQuick 2006 v. 7.0.52.  For details, see the BillQuick 2006 Update Log File.

BillQuick 2006 has been tested with all versions of QuickBooks, from 2004 through 2006. It has also been tested with Microsoft Small Business Accounting 2006 and later, Peachtree Accounting 2005 and later, and MYOB Australia 2005 and later.

BillQuick 2005 and QuickBooks 2006

BillQuick 2005 has been tested with QuickBooks 2006. Everything is A-OK.

Macintosh Compatibility

Quick reminder: BQE Software is compatible with the Macintosh in two ways: The Web Suite add-on modules or by using Virtual PC.

Latest BillQuick 2005 Version

BillQuick 2005 v. 6.0.124. For details, see the BillQuick 2005 Update Log File.

Various fixes and general improvements throughout BillQuick, including Billing Review, Payment, Manual Invoice and Memo features..

Latest BillQuick 2004 Version

BillQuick 2004 v. 5.0.102. Click to view the changes.

If you have Internet access but do not allow BillQuick to automatically download updates (you turned off AutoUpdate in the Other 2 tab on the Preferences screen), go to the File menu and select Get Updates. When you exit BillQuick, the update automatically installs.

If desired, you can download the latest BillQuick 2004 update from the BillQuick web site. Click Save when prompted. Next, run the setup program from the folder in which it was saved.

Happy BillQuicking!

Thanks from the 
BQE Software Marketing Team