Billing rates determine what your firm charges for each hour of work, and the rate hierarchy decides which rate applies when several could. You set rates at the custom, flat fee, matter, client, activity category, and user levels, and Clio Manage applies them in a fixed order of priority. Configured rates mean time entries automatically carry the correct amount, with fewer manual corrections.
Understand the rate hierarchy
When more than one rate applies to a time entry, Clio Manage uses the highest-priority rate in the event of conflicting rates. The hierarchy runs from highest to lowest:
- Custom rate
- Flat fee rate
- Matter-based rate
- Client-based rate
- Activity category custom rate
- User default rate
Set custom rates
Set a custom rate by adjusting the Rate field when you create a time entry. A custom rate overrides all other rates.
Important: If you set a custom rate on a time entry and then change the matter or activity category, the matter or activity category rate overrides the custom rate.
Apply flat fee rates
Create a flat-fee rate for matters where your firm charges a flat fee, such as wills and estate planning. This feature automatically creates time entries and bills for the fixed rate and tracks time at 0.00/hr, so your firm still measures time without attaching a dollar figure to each entry. Learn more in Manage Flat Rate Matters.
Set matter-based rates
A matter rate overrides the client rate and the user default rate for every time entry on that matter. Add matter rates from the matter's Billing preferences. See Matter Permissions and Rates for the full steps.
Set client-based rates
A client rate applies if a matter rate is not set. Add client rates from the contact's Billing preferences. See Contact Permissions and Rates for the full steps.
Set activity category rates
Set a custom hourly rate or a flat rate on an activity category when you create or edit it. An activity category flat rate overrides all rates except a custom rate set on a time entry. Learn how in Set Up Activity Categories.
Note: If the firm uses multiple currencies, you will only be able to select activity categories for a matter if the currency of the rate set for the activity category matches the currency used in the matter.
Set user default rates
The user default rate applies when no higher-priority rate is set. See Manage Billing Permissions and User Rates to set or change a user's default billing rate.
Up next
Set Up Activity Categories: Create reusable categories and set their rates.