Infographic

Anatomy of a Disputed Invoice

Every staffing agency, BPO, and MSP experiences invoice disputes. This infographic breaks down exactly what happens when a client questions your hours—and what it really costs.

Anatomy of a Disputed Invoice - Timeline showing 45-day dispute process and $3,785+ in hidden costs

The Problem

  • 45+ days from invoice to payment when disputed
  • 12+ hours of manager time investigating and responding
  • 20%+ write-off is common to "meet in the middle"
  • Relationship damage affects future contracts

The Solution

  • Visual proof attached to every invoice
  • Instant verification with screenshot timesheets
  • 90%+ reduction in billing disputes
  • Stronger relationships through transparency

Breaking Down the Costs

Cost CategoryExampleImpact
Revenue Loss (Write-off)$15,000 invoice reduced to $12,000-$3,000
Admin/Manager Time12 hours × $50/hr investigating, responding-$600
Cash Flow Impact45-day delay at 5% cost of capital-$185
Relationship DamageReduced trust, scrutiny on future invoicesHard to quantify
TOTAL (Single Dispute)$3,785+

Note: This is a single dispute. If you experience 5-10 disputes per month (common for agencies with 50+ contractors), your annual cost could exceed $200,000.

Scale It Up: Your Annual Impact

How many invoice disputes do you handle per month? Multiply by the single-dispute cost to see your annual exposure.

2 disputes/month

$90,840/year

5 disputes/month

$227,100/year

10 disputes/month

$454,200/year

Use our calculator to get your exact numbers.

Eliminate Disputes Before They Start

Visual Timesheets provides automatic proof of work that clients can verify. No more 45-day disputes—just transparent billing.