Should disbursements be itemized separately from fees?

Yes — separating professional fees from disbursements (filing fees, courier costs, etc.) makes it clear to the client what's your fee versus a pass-through cost.

What payment terms are typical for legal and accounting invoices?

Net 30 is common for professional services, though some firms use Net 15 or invoice against a retainer with different terms.

Can I reference an engagement letter on the invoice?

Yes, noting the matter reference and engagement date helps tie the invoice back to the signed agreement, which is good practice for professional services.

Does this handle trust accounting?

No — this is a standard invoice template for billing fees and disbursements. Trust fund accounting has specific regulatory requirements and should be tracked separately per your law society or professional body's rules.

Free Legal & Accounting Invoice Template

Bill consultation time, document work, and disbursements separately — the clarity clients and firms both expect.

Legal and accounting invoices typically separate professional time (consultations, document preparation, review) from disbursements (filing fees, courier costs, third-party charges paid on the client's behalf). Keeping these distinct on the invoice makes it easy for clients to see what they're paying for professional expertise versus pass-through costs.

What to include on a legal or accounting invoice

Matter or file reference and engagement date
Time entries or flat fees for consultation, drafting, and review, billed separately
Disbursements and filing fees, itemized and clearly labeled as pass-through costs
Reference to the engagement letter or retainer agreement
Payment terms — Net 30 is common for professional services

Retainers and trust accounting

If you're working against a retainer, note the retainer balance and how much this invoice draws down against it. For matters involving trust funds, keep trust accounting separate from your general invoicing — this template is for billing professional fees and disbursements, not for trust ledger management.

Start from the Legal / Accounting template — time and disbursements pre-separated.

Create a Free Professional Services Invoice →

Frequently asked questions

Should disbursements be itemized separately from fees?: Yes — separating professional fees from disbursements (filing fees, courier costs, etc.) makes it clear to the client what's your fee versus a pass-through cost.
What payment terms are typical for legal and accounting invoices?: Net 30 is common for professional services, though some firms use Net 15 or invoice against a retainer with different terms.
Can I reference an engagement letter on the invoice?: Yes, noting the matter reference and engagement date helps tie the invoice back to the signed agreement, which is good practice for professional services.
Does this handle trust accounting?: No — this is a standard invoice template for billing fees and disbursements. Trust fund accounting has specific regulatory requirements and should be tracked separately per your law society or professional body's rules.