Consulting Invoice Template

A consulting invoice should show the client what they're paying for at a glance: the retainer they agreed to, any extra work they approved, and expenses passed through at cost. This template keeps those three apart, so the retainer reads as routine and the extras are easy to check.

  • Retainer
  • Additional work (approved)
  • Expenses at cost
  • Online payment by card or bank transfer
Free, no account needed to start. Not legal advice.

Use it each month for an advisory retainer, or adapt it to bill hourly consulting work and expenses.

The full template

Every line, price, and note is yours to change when you use the template in Clientary, and your client's details fill in from their record.

In the editor, the totals add up as you type. Once you send it, your client pays online by card or bank transfer. Edit this template online

Monthly Advisory Retainer

Your monthly advisory retainer, plus the additional work you approved this month and travel for our on-site leadership session.

Retainer
Monthly advisory retainer$4,000.00
Additional work (approved)
Pricing workshop facilitation (hours) (6)$1,050.00
Board presentation preparation (hours) (4)$700.00
Expenses at cost
Travel for on-site leadership session$486.00
Total$6,236.00

Notes

Payment is due within 15 days. You can pay online by card or bank transfer from this invoice.

The retainer covers up to 20 hours of advisory time a month. Additional work is billed at $175 per hour, only with your approval first. Receipts for expenses are available on request.

How to use this template in Clientary

  1. Edit it online. Change any line item, price, or note, or add your own. No account needed.
  2. Preview it as your client will see it. Fill in who it's for and pick a design.
  3. Start your free trial to send it. Confirm you'll have it reviewed, since templates aren't legal advice, and your invoice is waiting in your new account with your client's details filled in.
  4. Send it to be paid. Your client pays online, and you can see when it's viewed and paid.

Learn more about invoicing in Clientary.

Frequently asked questions

How should a consultant bill a monthly retainer?

Invoice the retainer at the start of each month as a single line, then list any approved work beyond it by task and hours. Billing expenses separately, at cost, keeps the fee and the pass-through costs distinct.

Should a consulting invoice show hours on a fixed retainer?

It doesn't have to. A retainer pays for availability and outcomes, so one line is enough. Showing hours is useful only for work billed beyond the retainer.

Is this consulting invoice template free?

Yes. Read and copy the full text on this page, or edit it online and see it as your client will. When it's ready, start a free Clientary trial to send it or download it as a PDF.

Has a lawyer reviewed this template?

No. It's a general starting point written by Clientary, not legal advice, and it hasn't been reviewed by a lawyer for your situation or the laws where you and your client work. Have your own counsel review it before you use or sign it.

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