Project Profitability Reporting for Service Businesses Without Spreadsheets
A service-first setup for clients and work Service businesses sell time, expertise and outcomes, so the accounting system has to reflect that reality. The foundation is a clean customer record structure that supports multiple contacts, billing addresses, tax handling and clear payment terms. Projects, retainers and one-off engagements should sit under the same client profile, so billing history and profitability are easy to review without stitching reports together. Invoicing that fits real engagements Service-based invoicing is rarely a single flat fee. The software should handle milestones, deposits, retainers, progress billing and recurring invoices without forcing manual workarounds. Change orders and scope adjustments should translate into invoice updates that stay traceable, with notes and supporting documents attached. A strong receivables view matters as well: aging, partial payments, credits and automated reminders keep cash flow predictable without turning collections into...