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Bill Us Model

This guide explains how the Bill Us billing model works and helps you set up client accounts where your firm pays subscription costs.

How Bill Us Works​

In the Bill Us model, your accounting firm pays all subscription costs for client accounts. You own and control these accounts completely.

Key characteristics:

  • Your firm owns the client account
  • You pay monthly subscription fees
  • Client cannot disconnect the relationship
  • You control all billing and plan changes
  • Prorated billing for mid-month changes
  • One invoice per branch per month

Before You Begin​

Complete these setup steps before adding Bill Us clients:

Requirements:

  • Branch created in portal
  • Branch currency selected
  • Valid payment method added via Stripe
  • Payment method currency matches branch currency
  • Payment method verified successfully

Step-by-Step: Add Payment Method​

Your branch needs a valid payment method before adding Bill Us clients.

To add a payment method:

  1. Go to your Branch Dashboard
  2. Select Billing > Payment Methods
  3. Select Add Payment Method
  4. Enter payment details via Stripe:
    • Card number
    • Expiration date
    • CVV security code
    • Billing address (must match bank records)
    • Cardholder name
  5. Select Save

Important notes:

  • Fiskl validates the payment method immediately
  • No charges occur until you add Bill Us clients
  • Payment method currency must match branch currency exactly
  • Example: GBP branch requires GBP payment method

Step-by-Step: Add Bill Us Client​

Once your payment method is set up, add client accounts.

To add a Bill Us client:

  1. Go to Clients in your branch dashboard
  2. Select Add Client
  3. Select billing model: Bill Us
  4. Select subscription plan:
    • Essential
    • Growth
    • Professional (Plans and pricing appear based on your region)
  5. Enter client details:
    • Company name
    • Contact email
    • Business address
    • Phone number (optional)
  6. Enter business owner details:
    • Owner name
    • Owner email address
  7. Review subscription cost
  8. Select Create Client Account

What happens next:

  • Fiskl creates the client account immediately
  • Your firm owns and controls this account
  • Business owner receives invitation email to access their account
  • Client cannot close account or disconnect relationship
  • Prorated charges apply to your next monthly invoice

Inviting Business Owners​

After creating the account, the business owner receives an invitation to access their Fiskl account.

The invitation includes:

  • Link to create their password
  • Account access instructions
  • Your firm's contact information
  • Getting started resources

Business owner capabilities:

  • Full access to their Fiskl account
  • Create invoices, track expenses, manage banking
  • Cannot change subscription or disconnect accountant
  • Cannot close the account

Managing Bill Us Clients​

Control client accounts from your branch dashboard.

You can:

  • Upgrade or downgrade subscription plans
  • Add or remove accountant access
  • View all client data and reports
  • Manage client settings
  • Close client accounts when needed

To change a client's plan:

  1. Go to Clients in branch dashboard
  2. Select the client
  3. Select Subscription > Change Plan
  4. Select new plan
  5. Select Confirm Change

Changes prorate automatically on your next invoice.

Understanding Bill Us Billing​

Fiskl generates one invoice per branch each month covering all Bill Us clients.

Your monthly invoice includes:

  • Subscription fees for all Bill Us clients in that branch
  • Prorated charges for clients added mid-month
  • Prorated credits for clients removed or downgraded
  • Total due for the branch

Billing timeline:

  • Invoices generated on the 1st of each month
  • Payment automatically charged to your payment method
  • Invoice available in portal dashboard
  • Payment receipts sent via email

Example invoice (London Branch - GBP):

Client A - Professional Plan: £49.00
Client B - Growth Plan: £29.00
Client C - Professional Plan (added mid-month): £24.50
Client D - Downgrade credit: -£10.00
─────────────
Total: £92.50

Prorated Billing​

All mid-month changes prorate automatically.

Adding clients mid-month:

  • Prorated based on days remaining in billing period
  • Example: Add client on 15th of 30-day month = 50% of monthly fee

Removing clients mid-month:

  • Prorated credit applied to next invoice
  • Example: Remove client on 20th of 30-day month = 33% credit

Changing plans mid-month:

  • Difference between plans prorated
  • Upgrades charge difference, downgrades credit difference

Payment Method Management​

Update your payment method anytime to avoid service interruptions.

To update payment method:

  1. Go to Branch Dashboard > Billing
  2. Select Payment Methods
  3. Select Update Payment Method
  4. Fiskl redirects to Stripe's secure page
  5. Update card details or add new payment method
  6. Select Save

Changes apply immediately to future invoices.

Payment failures:

If payment fails:

  1. You receive email notification immediately
  2. Grace period of 7 days to update payment method
  3. Service interruption possible if not resolved
  4. Update payment method to restore full service

Best Practices​

Financial management:

  • Review monthly invoices before payment date
  • Keep payment method current and valid
  • Monitor client adds/removes for budget planning
  • Set internal approval process for new clients

Client relationships:

  • Explain Bill Us model clearly to clients upfront
  • Include Fiskl costs in your service pricing
  • Document that your firm owns the account
  • Set expectations about account control

Account management:

  • Review client plans quarterly for optimization
  • Downgrade inactive clients to lower tiers
  • Remove clients when relationships end
  • Keep client contact information current

Troubleshooting​

Payment Method Rejected​

Cause: Invalid card details or currency mismatch

Solution:

  1. Verify card details are correct
  2. Confirm card currency matches branch currency
  3. Check with bank for restrictions
  4. Try different payment method
  5. Contact support if issues persist

Cannot Add Client​

Cause: Payment method not verified or missing

Solution:

  1. Go to Billing > Payment Methods
  2. Verify payment method shows as "Verified"
  3. Add payment method if missing
  4. Try adding client again

Unexpected Invoice Amount​

Cause: Mid-month changes not accounted for

Solution:

  1. Review invoice line items in portal
  2. Check dates of client additions/removals
  3. Verify proration calculations
  4. Contact support if discrepancies remain

Need More Help?​

Compare billing models: Billing Models Overview

Learn Client Pays: Client Pays Model

Switch models: Switching Billing Models

Invite clients: Inviting Clients