Enter a cost recovery entry

Smokeball Native app Smokeball Web app

There are several ways to enter your firm costs and expenses in Smokeball.

Most Smokeball users enter their cost recoveries in the desktop version of Smokeball. However, all cost recoveries can be added or edited in the web app as well. Any entries made in Smokeball native app or the web app will be available in both places.

Enter cost recoveries in the Smokeball Native App

  1. Select an existing matter, then select the Time & Cost Recoveries tab.
  2. Select Cost Recovery to open the Cost Recovery entry window.
  3. Enter a date, staff, and subject manually or use an Activity Code.
  4. Enter an optional description.
  5. Designate the cost recovery as a hard cost or soft cost.
    • Hard costs are expenses incurred on behalf of a client that require direct payment to a vendor. These expenses are usually paid upfront by the firm and then added as a cost recovery to the matter. Reimbursement for these expenses will happen as the client pays the invoice. These cost recoveries are not qualified as income.
      • Examples might include process server fees, court reporter fees, and filing fees.
    • Soft costs are expenses that your law firm charges to the client without direct payment to a vendor for the client's portion. It is not required for firms to charge these, but some firms pass these costs to the client. Some law firms choose to write off soft costs as part of their business overhead. 
      • Examples might include printing/copying costs, internet, and phone service. 
  6. Enter the quantity and price and ensure the correct VAT type is selected.
  7. Select whether this is a billable cost recovery, or if you wish to write off the entry.
  8. Select Save or Save & New to continue entering cost recoveries.

Cost Recoveries can also be entered under the Time & Cost Recoveries page from the Home Screen.

  1. Select the Time & Cost Recoveries tab on your home screen.
  2. Select the Cost Recovery entry button.
    • Note: Any entries created here must have the Matter field entered before saving.

You can also create cost recoveries using the quick entry bar at the top of the Cost Recoveries tab.

Edit a cost recovery

Double-click on the cost recovery in the Time & Cost Recoveries > Cost Recovery tab of the main Smokeball window or within a matter. Make your edits, then select Save.

Delete a cost recovery

You can delete a cost recovery by right-clicking on the entry and selecting Delete Cost Recovery.

  • Note: It is not possible to delete multiple cost recoveries at the same time.
  • Deleting a cost recovery is permanent; there is no way to restore the entry once it has been deleted.
  • You cannot delete a cost recovery that is already associated with a finalised invoice.
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