Flat Rate Cards

Flat rate cards: Charge one hourly rate for every role on a rate card, and switch a card between a flat rate and role-based rates if needed.

Many clients pay one hourly rate, whoever does the work. Rate cards can now use a flat rate. This is one hourly rate that applies to every role and team member on the projects using the card, including roles you add later.

New rate cards use a flat rate by default. When you create a card, enter its rate in Flat Rate. If you need different rates for different roles, tick Use role-based rates. The card then works with a rate for each active role or the option to use the default rate for that role.

A flat rate can change over time, like other rates. Add a rate card version to set a new flat rate from a chosen date.

Switching a rate card's rate type

You can switch an existing rate card between a flat rate and role-based rates at any time, for example to fix a card that was set up the wrong way. The switch applies to every version on the rate card.

If the card is used by projects, Forecast asks you to confirm before saving, because rate-based values on those projects, such as value of service and unlocked revenue, can change. Invoiced amounts and locked revenue never change. If you switch a card back to role-based rates, the role rates it had before are restored.

Seeing which rate applies

The Rate cards tab in Admin > Finance has a new Rate type column, showing Flat rate or Per role for each card.

On a project that uses a flat rate card, Settings > Financials shows the rate under the rate card, for example "Flat rate: $160.00 / hour". Financials > Rates & Internal Costs shows the same rate and, if it changes over time, when each rate applies.

See Configuring your Rate Cards for step-by-step instructions.