Consultant Invoice Template (Free for Consultants)

What to put on a consulting invoice, a ready-made example to copy, and a free way to create a professional PDF in minutes.

Consultants bill in several ways — hourly, by day rate, by project, or on retainer — and a clear, professional invoice reinforces the value you deliver. This guide covers what every consulting invoice should include, the line items worth charging for, and how to create one online in a couple of minutes.

What to Include on a Consulting Invoice

However you bill, every professional consulting invoice should have these:

Consulting Line Items Worth Charging For

Consultants often under-bill the work around the work. Add explicit lines for these:

• Preparation and research time — not just the meeting itself
• Reports and deliverables — written analysis, decks, and documentation as their own lines
• Travel and expenses — passed through or billed at an agreed rate
• Additional sessions or scope — beyond the agreed engagement
• Retainer / ongoing advisory — a recurring monthly line for continued access

How to Create a Consulting Invoice in 5 Steps

Hourly, Day Rate, or Retainer?

All easy to invoice: hourly (hours × rate per activity), day rate (a line per consulting day — common for on-site or workshop work), fixed project fee (often with a deposit up front), and monthly retainer (a recurring line for ongoing advisory). For larger engagements, invoicing a deposit before starting is standard and protects your time.

How to Get Paid Faster as a Consultant

• Invoice on a schedule — monthly or per phase, not only at the end
• Be specific — "Strategy workshop + written recommendations" beats "consulting services"
• Set clear terms — "net 15" beats "due on receipt" for getting paid predictably
• Send promptly — invoice the same day you complete a phase or session
• Track status so you know which invoices are unpaid or overdue

Free Consultant Invoice Generator

Simple Invoice Generator is a free online invoice generator that works well for consultants and advisory firms. Create professional invoices in minutes — no accounting knowledge required. Features include:

• Professional PDF export with your logo and branding
• Send invoices directly by email to clients
• Track invoice status — draft, unpaid, paid, overdue
• Client management with auto-fill
• 8 currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, and more
• Revenue dashboard with monthly chart

The free plan includes up to 3 invoices with no credit card required. Create your first invoice free →