Harvest
Time Tracking
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Timesheet Software for Government

Harvest offers flexible time tracking and invoicing, ideal for government agencies needing compliance with labor laws and efficient payroll integration.

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How much revenue is your team leaving on the table?

Most agencies run at 55-60% utilization. Even a small improvement means significant revenue. See what closing the gap looks like for your team.

Number of people who track billable time
$
Blended rate across roles (junior, senior, lead)
55%
Percentage of total hours that are billable. Industry average is 55-60%.
75%
A realistic target for service businesses is 70-80%.
Monthly revenue gap $0
Revenue at current utilization $0/mo
Revenue at target utilization $0/mo
Extra billable hours needed per person/day 0h
Annual revenue opportunity $0

Start tracking team utilization

Walk through the entire flow below. Start a timer, check your reports, and create a real invoice — all in three clicks.

Go ahead — start tracking!

One click and you're timing. Try it right here: start a timer, add an entry, edit the details. This is exactly how it feels in Harvest.

  • One-click timer from browser, desktop & mobile
  • Works inside Jira, Asana, Trello, GitHub & 50+ tools
  • Duration or start/end — your call
  • Day, week & calendar views to stay on top of it all
  • Friendly reminders so no hour gets left behind
Acme Corp
Website Redesign
Homepage layout revisions
1:24:09
Content Strategy
Blog calendar planning
1:30:00
SEO Audit
Technical audit report
0:45:00
Brand Guidelines
Color system documentation
2:15:00
Logo Concepts
Initial sketches round 1
1:00:00
Today's total 6:54:09

The Imperative of Compliance: Federal Regulations and Audit Readiness

For government agencies and contractors, adherence to federal regulations like DCAA compliance and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is not optional but mandatory. These regulations demand precise time tracking, thorough audit trails, and robust record retention. For instance, DCAA mandates daily time entries to ensure real-time accuracy, with timesheets requiring supervisor approval for validation. Failure to comply can result in rejected invoices, questioned costs, or even contract termination. Additionally, FAR Subpart 4.7 recommends retaining records for a minimum of three years post-final payment, with six years being the best practice to avoid compliance issues.

Implementing a system that supports daily time entry and automatic supervisor approvals is critical. Such a system should also ensure that time records are secure and changes are tracked meticulously. This not only enhances compliance but also prepares agencies for any audits, reducing the risk of discrepancies. By ensuring strict compliance, government entities can maintain eligibility for federal contracts and avoid costly penalties.

Core Features of Government-Compliant Timesheet Software

Government-compliant timesheet software must go beyond basic tracking to accommodate the unique needs of public sector entities. Essential features include detailed time tracking for direct and indirect labor, advanced leave management, and a rules engine for complex pay policies. For example, government entities often deal with unique leave types and must manage accruals efficiently. Software that automates these processes helps maintain accuracy and transparency.

Security is another critical feature, with data protection protocols such as encryption and strict password policies. For instance, DCAA requires unique passwords that change every six months. Additionally, robust user access controls help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Compliance with these security measures is vital for protecting employee data and meeting regulatory requirements.

Streamlining Operations: Integration, Payroll, and Reporting

Effective timesheet software for government agencies should seamlessly integrate with existing payroll, HR, and ERP systems. This reduces manual data entry errors and enhances payroll efficiency. Automated data transfer capabilities are crucial for maintaining accuracy and streamlining operations. Comprehensive reporting tools are also vital, providing detailed insights for internal audits, budget management, and compliance documentation.

Mobile access and user-friendly interfaces enhance employee adoption, ensuring that time tracking is seamless and hassle-free. This is particularly important for agencies with field workers or remote teams, as it allows for real-time timekeeping and reduces discrepancies. By integrating with existing systems, the software helps manage labor costs effectively, ensuring that all hours, including uncompensated overtime, are accurately recorded.

Addressing Unique Government Timekeeping Challenges

Government entities often face unique timekeeping challenges such as managing alternative work schedules and handling uncompensated overtime. Flexible software solutions can accommodate these needs, supporting work schedules like flexible, compressed workweeks, and credit hours. This flexibility is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and adherence to federal work schedule regulations.

Additionally, the software must facilitate separation of duties between timekeeping and payroll functions, a crucial control for preventing fraud and errors. By maintaining clear charge codes and tracking all changes through audit logs, agencies can ensure transparency and compliance. These features help government agencies meet state and local regulations, including public records laws, ensuring that timesheets remain accurate and accessible.

Timesheet Software for Government with Harvest

See how Harvest's timesheet software ensures government compliance and streamlines payroll processes with easy time tracking and reporting.

Harvest timesheet software interface for government compliance

Timesheet Software for Government FAQs

  • Government timesheet software must include features like detailed time tracking, advanced leave management, and a rules engine for complex pay policies. It should also support data security protocols and integration with payroll systems to ensure compliance and efficiency.

  • Compliance is ensured through features like daily time entry, supervisor approvals, and audit trails. These tools help agencies adhere to regulations such as DCAA and FAR, preventing errors and ensuring accurate record-keeping for audits.

  • Yes, effective timesheet software can integrate seamlessly with existing payroll, HR, and ERP systems. This integration minimizes manual data entry errors and improves the efficiency of payroll processing.

  • Comprehensive reporting tools are essential, offering detailed insights for internal audits, budget management, and compliance documentation. These tools facilitate transparency and accuracy in government agency operations.

  • Harvest integrates with Asana, allowing users to track time directly from their Asana tasks. This integration ensures seamless time tracking and project management without disrupting existing workflows.

  • Yes, Harvest offers expense tracking with receipt capture, enabling users to log and monitor expenses alongside time entries. This feature supports comprehensive project budgeting and financial management.

  • Harvest emphasizes data security with features like password protection and encryption. These measures help safeguard sensitive employee information in compliance with government regulations.

  • Harvest supports flexible time tracking and reporting, accommodating unique government timekeeping rules like alternative work schedules and total-hours-worked accounting, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.