By Neevio · Updated 4 October 2026 · Product workflow guide
What is the difference between a timesheet and an invoice?
A project timesheet records when people worked, what they worked on and how long it took. An invoice records the amount charged to a client under an agreed billing arrangement. Timesheet approval confirms the time record; invoice review must also check the agreement, applicable rates and approved changes.
Example: a developer logs three hours implementing an agreed contact form and two hours investigating a new login request. Review both entries, but check whether the login work was commercially approved before billing it. On a fixed-price project, approved delivery hours may be included in the existing fee rather than charged again.
1. Give every entry enough context.
A duration without a project or task leaves the reviewer guessing. Record the day, work, activity and time spent while the work is fresh. Add a note when the task title does not explain the activity.
In Neevio, time entries can carry task and activity context with a billable flag. Use the timer for ongoing work or a manual entry for work recorded afterwards. Check existing entries before adding a correction so the same hour is not logged twice.
2. Review billable work against the agreement.
Billable is a classification for review. Confirm that the activity and charging method fit the client agreement. A fixed-price project still benefits from time records because they help explain delivery cost, even when the invoice does not charge each hour.
Keep billing rates and internal cost rates distinct. The price charged to the client and the cost of delivering the work answer different questions.
3. Check the week for gaps and errors.
Review the day and week totals alongside the underlying work. Investigate duplicate entries, unusually long durations and days that appear to be missing time. Ask the person who did the work to clarify an entry rather than guessing its meaning.
- Does each entry belong to the correct project and task?
- Are the date and duration accurate?
- Has the same work been recorded twice?
- Does the billable flag match the agreement?
- Are expected working days missing entries?
4. Complete the timesheet review.
Use the submission and approval workflow to resolve questions before treating a week as ready for billing. Keep rejected or returned entries actionable: explain what needs to be corrected and who should correct it.
Neevio provides timesheet submission and approval alongside project time records. Access depends on the person's workspace permissions.
5. Reconcile entries with the invoice.
Check the applicable rate, the client's billing arrangement and any approved changes. Explain invoice lines clearly enough that the client can identify the work being charged.
Neevio connects time records, invoices and project profitability. Review the resulting invoice before sending it, and track payment status separately from time approval.