This article is aimed at consultants. If you're looking for help with your client account (for posting projects and hiring), please see the 'Clients' section of the Help centre.
The most important thing to remember about invoicing on the platform is: you invoice Leafr, and we invoice clients for you on projects.
More than half (55%) of independent or freelance consultants report they have done work they haven't been paid for (Upwork). Invoicing through Leafr means we protect you from unpaid work or late payments. And you keep 100% of the rate you quote.
We also also make it easy to invoice clients: there's a short form on the Project Dashboard which you should fill before the end of each month.
How to raise invoices on Leafr
When you're live on a project, you can invoice clients from the Project Dashboard
Leafr has partnered with Stripe for secure and seamless payments. As you start a project, you'll be taken to a Stripe screen where you input your receiving bank details.
How to raise an invoice from the Project Dashboard
On the Project Dashboard when you're live on a project: Click the "Raise Invoice" button in the Payments section.
Fill in your Required Information:
Days Worked: Enter the number of days you've worked since your last invoice.
If the project is 'Fixed Cost', input the amount you're invoicing the client for.
For 'Day Rate' projects, you invoice by days worked, not hours. 1 day = 8 hours, so if you've worked 4 hours, adds 0.5 days.
Date Range: Select the period you're invoicing for.
Click the date picker to choose start and end dates.
Confirm your selection with the "Confirm Dates" button.
Add any Expenses you've incurred.
You can only do this if the client has given you written permission to pay for them. If they haven't, you'll need to get permission in writing for the expense and the cost, and put it on your next invoice.
Add any notes highlighting key deliverables or work completed, if requested by the client.
The system will automtically calculates your invoice based on your day rate and days worked, or the Fixed Cost of the project.
You'll also be prompted to submit your final invoice as the project closes.
If you want to invoice the client for more than originally agreed, you'll need to Raise an Extension.
What happens after I raise the invoice?
The invoice gets sent to Leafr: After you raise the invoice in the platform it gets sent to Leafr, and you'll receive a confirmation.
Leafr invoices the client: We handle all billing to the client on your behalf.
The Client pays Leafr: Once payment is received from the client, we remit your fee to you promptly.
Agreed Rate: You’ll receive 100% of the full rate you quoted (e.g. your day rate, based on 8 hours of work), as seen on the platform.
When will I get paid?
Once you've submitted your invoice you can expect payment within 30 days.If the client pays us late or if there's a dispute, there may be a delay here of up to another month.
When should I invoice?
Invoice monthly, before the 30th of each month. Make sure you submit your full invoices as the project ends.
Do you have a time tracker I can use?
Yes - here's a template you can use to track your hours and days worked, along with activities. You'll need to download it to edit.
Disputes and Non-Payment
If the client pays late or if there's a dispute, there may be a delay here of up to another month.
We will make all reasonable efforts to recover outstanding payments on behalf of Consultants.
Although we have a 100% payment record, we can't guarantee the client will pay in all cases, and while we'll support you if they don't, Leafr won't be able to cover 100% of unpaid fees.
Need Help?
If you encounter issues:
Check that all required fields are completed.
Ensure your date range is properly selected and confirmed.
Contact Leafr support if you need assistance.