Learn how to enter adjustments in the Adjustments tab (Settlement Statement tab in SA) to finalise your Settlement Financials in a Conveyancing matter.
Accessing Settlement Financials
To enter the Settlement Financials layout:
- Open the matter in the Smokeball desktop app.
- Double-click on Settlement Financials in the Matter Info section.
This article will focus on the Adjustments tab.
To enter Payments, refer to Entering Payment/Cheque Items in Settlement Financials.
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Entering Adjustments in Settlement Financials
A newly opened matter with no data will open with default common Standard Items.
For example, for a New South Wales Conveyancing matter, it will look like this:
Entering the Settlement Date and Adjustment Date
When you enter the Settlement Date in the Conveyancing Details layout, the Settlement Date will appear in the top-left corner of the Settlement Financials window.
If you have not yet entered the Settlement Date into the Conveyancing Details layout, click on Edit Conveyancing Details* from within the Settlement Financials on the top right-hand corner. This will open the Conveyancing Details layout for you, so you can enter the Settlement Date on the spot.
* This is displayed as Edit Business Details in a Purchase or Sale of Business matter.
Once the Settlement Date is entered, it will automatically insert the Settlement Date as the Adjustment Date by default.
If the Adjustment Date is different to the Settlement Date, change the Adjustment Date by clicking on the date picker to choose another date.
Adding Adjustment/Statement items
There are two ways to add an Adjustment/Statement Item:
- Choosing from common items
- Creating your own item
Method 1: Commonly Used Items
Click on the downward pointing arrow next to the Add Adjustment/Statement Item and select an item.
For example, Registration Fees will look like this:
Method 2: Create Your Own Item
You can create a non-common Adjustment/Statement item by clicking on Add Adjustment/Statement Item and a blank Settlement Adjustment/Statement Item will open for you to enter the details.
By default it opens the Miscellaneous Item type.
From here you can select a different Item type and complete your Adjustment/Statement Item accordingly.
Select Save when completed.
Managing Standard Items
You can add, modify or delete your Standard Settlement Adjustment Standard Items and choose which Standard Items you would like to see by default on your matters.
To do this, select the gear icon next to Add Adjustment/Statement Item to open the Settlement Adjustment Standard Items window.
Selecting Default Items
Check or uncheck the boxes in the Default column to choose which Items you would like to appear by default.
Editing the Order of Items on the List
To re-order the list, click and drag the Item to its desired position:
Adding a New Default Item to the List
To add a new default item to your Standard list, select Add Standard Adjustment/Statement Item. A blank Settlement Adjustment/Statement Item will open for you to enter the details. By default it opens with the Miscellaneous Item Type structure:
Once you have filled in the details, Save the Item, then drag and move the Item into position and select if you would like it to appear as Default.
You can then choose to apply the recent change by clicking on the Apply Standard Items to the current matter blue link, or click OK to continue on with your Settlement Financials without applying the change.
Editing an Item on the List
To edit an Item, double-click on it to open the detailed view. Make your edits, then select Save.
Deleting an Item on the List
Hover over the item and select the Cross icon to delete it.
A Note Regarding Payee Name
For some Items, like Council Rates and Water & Sewerage Rates, where the Payee name appears in brackets i.e. [Council], the Payee name will populate in your documents from the corresponding contact card on your matter.
The Registration Fees Item, for example, will be set for the relevant State.