Consultant invoice template
Consultant invoice template is used by independent consultants to bill clients for advisory, technical, or specialized work. It should include project or SOW reference, hourly breakdown or fixed fee, retainer balance if applicable, and payment terms. Detailed line items meet corporate AP requirements and support contract and tax records.
Consultant invoice template Sample
Consultant invoice template
123 Business Street, City, Country
Phone: (123) 456-7890
Email: contact@company.com
Consultant invoice template
Bill To:
Client Name
Client Address
Client City, Country
Phone: (987) 654-3210
Email: client@example.com
Invoice #: 12345
Date: 2024-10-10
Due Date: 2024-11-10
| Item | Description | Qty | Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service A | Itemized service or product | 1 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Service B | Additional line item | 2 | $50.00 | $100.00 |
| Subtotal | $200.00 | |||
| Tax (10%) | $20.00 | |||
| Total Due | $220.00 | |||
An invoice should include your business or name, the customer’s details, the date and invoice number, and a line-by-line breakdown of what was provided. Including payment terms—such as due on receipt, Net 15, or Net 30—helps you get paid on time and keeps records clear for taxes.
Supporting resources
| Resource | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting rate benchmarks | Benchmark | Management consulting $100–$600+/hr by level; IT $75–$500+; marketing $80–$500+. Rule of thirds: target revenue ÷ billable hours plus buffer for taxes and profit. |
| Corporate AP requirements | Industry guide | Many clients require PO number, project code, SOW reference, and itemized services. Invoice should match contract and approval workflow. |
| Invoice checklist | Checklist | Client and PO, project/SOW reference, date range, description of services, hours and rate or fixed amount, expenses if billable, total, and payment terms. |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should a consultant invoice include?
- Your and client details, invoice number, PO or project reference, period or dates, description of work (and SOW if applicable), hours × rate or fixed fee, expenses, total, and payment terms.
- How do I set my consulting hourly rate?
- Common approach: divide target annual income by realistic billable hours (e.g., 1,000–1,200), then add 50–100% for taxes, overhead, and profit. Benchmark against your niche and experience.
- Should I invoice by retainer or per project?
- Retainers suit ongoing access or support; project or milestone billing suits defined deliverables. State on the invoice whether it’s retainer (and balance) or project/milestone and what it covers.