Lighthouse 7 Enhancements

 

We're excited to introduce Lighthouse Legal Accounting Software version 7.  Our latest release features all of the user-friendly data entry screens our users enjoy, with the addition of numerous enhancements.  The new features are a result of feedback from our valued users.  Other enhancements ensure that Lighthouse Legal Software remains an up-to-date accounting tool you will continue to trust and use with ease, no matter the size of your firm.

Some of the newest features are:

 

Automatic Trust Cheque Requisitions

Automatically requisition a trust cheque to offset a bill generated simply by checking a new area in the Client Billing Entry routine.

Modify Bill Date

Change the bill date on an account which was printed, but never entered in a previous period.  There is no need to re-print the bill to modify the bill date.  This can now be changed directly from the Client Billing Entry routine.

Screen Printing  

Print all reports to Notepad, Wordpad, HTML format (to be viewed in Internet Explorer) or to PDF format.  Sending reports electronically is now easier!

GL Inquiry for Prior Periods

View the activity on a GL Account for a prior accounting period.

CPA Cheques

Lighthouse 7 is compliant with the Canadian Payment Association's latest requirements.  Whether you choose to use magnetic ink and completely print your cheques, or have a printer re-print the details for you.  Lighthouse will produce cheques in either format.

Cheque Copies

You may now specify the number of copies of a cheque you would like printed.  For cases where multiple copies are required, users may enter a caption to appear on additional copies (i.e. "FILE COPY")

New Returned Cheque entry routine

There is no longer a need to re-enter cheque information to show it has been cleared.  The revised routine displays all outstanding cheques.  A simple click marks the cheque as being cleared.

Accounts Payable Cheque Stub

If paying many invoices with a single cheque, the system will prompt you to choose a printer on which to print the remittance advices in cases where the number of invoices paid exceeds the space available on the stub.  Never waste a cheque again - simply send the stub information to another printer/printer tray.

User Defined Receipt Type

Users can now define the types of receipts to be used in the Cash Receipts/Trust receipts entry routine.  Only display the types of receipts your firm will accept.

New calculator

We've revamped the look of the system calculator.  You may now use either your mouse, or the numeric keypad to quickly perform calculations, and then transfer the current display from the calculator directly to the data entry screens in Lighthouse.

Effective Dates for Client/Matter rates

Enter multiple client or matter specific rates based on effective dates.  For example, if a timekeeper's rate changes every 3 months, you can now enter multiple rates, which the system will then evaluate by effective date.  There is no need to wait to enter rate changes.

To Do Listing

View all diary reminders to a specific timekeeper based on the recall date.  Reminders for past dates not completed will also be displayed.  Once completed, a simple 'click' will allow you to enter a docket based on the matter in the reminder, view the file for more information, complete or modify the reminder. 

Bill Font and Font Size

Control the font and font size used when printing accounts.

Default Billing Format

Specify a firm-wide default billing format.  All files without a file-specific billing format defined will use this setting.

Trust Summary

A revamped trust summary will now appear (if dictated by the billing format)  on a separate page.

New Deposit Cleared entry routine

There is no longer a need to re-enter deposit information to show it has been cleared.  The revamped routine displays all outstanding deposits.  Clear the deposit simply by 'clicking' on the deposit.  A real time saver!

Multiple Graphics in Firm Letterhead

Perhaps your firm has a company logo, as well as a watermark to appear on client correspondence.  A more flexible letterhead setup routine now allows multiple graphics with greater control of their placement.

Revamped Time Entry

Modify existing time entries (within the current journal) from the time entry routine itself.  Quickly view all time entries based on the entry date.

Revamped Time Entry Journal

Maintain over 12,000 time entries in a single journal (as opposed to 1000 in previous versions).  For many firms, this allows a single time entry journal to maintain all entries for a month.

Starting and Ending dates on Billing Statements

Now specify both the starting and ending dates for details on a billing statement.  Details relevant, but prior to the starting date appear as a Balance Forward.

Starting and Ending dates on Billed Billing Statement

Billed information from the Billed Billing Statement is now available based on both a starting and ending dates.  Quickly determine the billing activity based on a specific date range.

Maintain Defaults for Billing Statements

Lighthouse will maintain the default stettings for billing statements.  Once you have set the parameter, you do not need to specify the format each time you print.

Track Time Modifications

Which user modified a time entry?  What was the entry prior to modification?  Greater accountability is now available as these details are now available in the Time Header Journal.

AR Notes Archive

Maintain billing/payment notes on a client, even after the specific bill has been paid.  The AR Notes Archive allows you to accurately maintain client notes throughout the life of client activity.

Overhead routines

Quickly identify the variance between cost of a disbursement, cost associated with time billed, and disbursement/time charged to clients. 

Prevent Suspense Time Entries

You can now control whether or not users can use the time entry suspense module.


Include Billing Lawyers Name/Email in Firm Letterhead

Give your clients a personal contact printed directly on the letterhead.  Ensure your clients have your personal email address, as opposed to a general address.

 

Re-Rate Unbilled Time by Group Code

Save time by assigning a client group code to all accounts to be effected by a re-rate.  Running the re-rate once with that client group code will re-rate all unbilled time for all clients/matters within that group code.

Export Reports to Spreadsheet

Nearly all standard reports are now exportable to Spreadsheet.  Quickly perform calculations, or re-format any report to your specific requirements.

Report Defaults

Report defaults are now saved by clicking on a 'Report Defaults' button (as opposed to the system 'remembering' the last settings used to produce the report).  Avoid having your preferred defaults inadvertently re-set by a user producing the report with different settings.

Time Entry Details

Time entry details are now available from a Matter Status Inquiry by clicking on the time section.  Quickly display additional information without leaving the inquiry routine.

New Menu Layout  

The introduction of new sub-folders ensures that each menu, and it's sub menus are user friend, and easy to navigate.  The addition of sub-folders keeps menu options neatly organized so you can quickly located the routine you need.

New Menu Option

Choose from Explorer style, List box style, or (new) Menu bar style for your menu.  If you prefer to navigate through the system using your mouse, or by entering alpha numeric codes, Lighthouse offers a menu option which will ensure you can quickly move from one routine to another.

Spawn New Sessions

No matter which menu option you choose, you may now opt to have the main menu constantly active.  Open multiple routines at the same time.

Tracking Units for Disbursements

You can now track the number of units recorded for user specified posting codes.

Track Quotes

Now track hours,  fees, and disbursements quoted in Matter Maintenance.  See

Matter Email

Now maintain both a matter email address separate from the client email.

Matter Contact

The matter contact is now maintained automatically in the conflict database in addition to the standard fields for client name, client contact, matter name, matter description, and attention for billing.

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© Copyright 2008 DL Fullerton Programming and Consulting Incorporated