Prepare a bill the client can identify and check
A clear law firm invoice or fee note identifies the firm, client, matter, agreed work, amount and payment instructions. This free naira template is an editable worksheet for preparing that record. Open it in Excel, Google Sheets or LibreOffice, replace the blank fields and check each line before producing your firm’s final bill.
The worksheet contains no formulas or preset tax rate. The completed example is fictional and shows arithmetic before any applicable tax. Adapt the document to the engagement and confirm the treatment of fees, expenses and taxes with the person responsible for the firm’s billing before issue.
Include the reference, work and payment details
Give the bill a unique reference and link it to the correct client and matter. Describe the service clearly enough for the client to understand the charge. If the engagement uses hourly billing, include the approved time and agreed rate. For an agreed fixed fee, describe the relevant work or stage.
| Field | What to check |
|---|---|
| Firm and client | Correct names, contact details and billing recipient |
| References | Unique bill number, matter reference and issue date |
| Services | Description and charging basis match the agreed scope |
| Expenses | Supporting references and agreed treatment are recorded |
| Amounts | Currency is NGN; quantities, rates and totals are checked |
| Payments | Any previous receipt or credit is allocated to this bill |
| Instructions | Your own verified payment details and agreed due date |
Check the example before adapting it
The sample bill uses fictional matter DEMO-001. It contains an agreed professional fee of NGN 100,000, an additional agreed work item of NGN 30,000 and a supported expense of NGN 20,000. Those lines total NGN 150,000 before any applicable tax. No fee scale, minimum fee or tax exemption is assumed.
The sample deliberately leaves bank details and the final tax treatment unspecified. Insert your own verified details and the treatment appropriate to the instruction. Replace every sample reference and remove unused fields before sharing a final document.
| Line | Amount (NGN) |
|---|---|
| Agreed professional fee | 100,000 |
| Additional agreed work | 30,000 |
| Supported expense | 20,000 |
| Subtotal | 150,000 |
Keep the issued bill and its payment trail
Have the responsible person approve the bill, save the issued version and record when and how it was sent. Keep changes explainable. A revised draft and an issued bill should not be indistinguishable copies with the same filename.
When a receipt arrives, record its date, amount and reference, then allocate it to the correct bill. A part-payment should reduce the balance while leaving both the original invoice and each receipt visible. The payment-ledger worksheet and the billing guide show that separate record.
Test the same bill in the software
FirmStack lets a firm prepare and send naira bills, record payments and see what remains. Bring a fictional example of your billing pattern to the pilot, including a bill paid in two instalments. Ask your accounts colleague to check the output and the record behind it.
Tick the checklist while planning. Checks reset when you reload; use a printable sheet for a record you can keep.
Checklists and templates
Use the worksheets and fictional examples with your team. Keep completed copies in your firm’s approved private storage.
- Blank naira fee-note worksheet Download CSV
Prepare fee lines, expenses, payment instructions and review notes. Check the arithmetic and applicable tax treatment before issue.
- Completed fictional fee note Download CSV
A NGN 150,000 illustration. No tax rate, legal fee scale or payment-bank details are prefilled.
- Invoice payment ledger Download CSV
A blank register for receipts and their invoice allocations. Enter and check balances yourself; no formulas are included.
Downloads are free and do not ask for your email. CSV sheets contain no formulas or macros. They do not send information to FirmStack.