| One of the most valuable assets that small business | | | | service fund fee. This is an expense that helps |
| owners have is their time; it is severely limited. Often, | | | | subsidize phone and internet service for public entities, |
| people who operate their own companies absorb a | | | | such as libraries and schools. Further, a gross receipts |
| variety of responsibilities that leave very little time to | | | | tax surcharge is usually imposed by local governments. |
| audit their telephone bill. The problem is that without a | | | | In most cases, there is very little you can do to avoid |
| periodic review, phone-related expenses can gradually | | | | these expenses. |
| expand beyond the level originally budgeted. | | | | Listing Of Calls |
| Below, we'll describe the main parts of your business | | | | The next section of your company phone bill will |
| phone invoice. We'll explain the charges you might see | | | | provide a detailed list of the calls made during the |
| and offer a quick description of those charges so you'll | | | | previous billing period. Your carrier will provide the date |
| have a better understanding regarding what you're | | | | and time of each call, the number to which it was |
| paying for. It's worth noting that every provider designs | | | | made, and its duration. The calls will usually be coded |
| their invoices differently. That said, the items we'll | | | | as local, interstate, and international. |
| describe below are generally universal. | | | | Investing Time To Review Your Statement |
| Your Bill In Brief | | | | Unless you spend time reviewing your monthly |
| The first page of your invoice will usually provide a | | | | business telephone bill, you won't notice if your |
| synopsis of charges for the past month's activity. You'll | | | | company is being charged more than you expect. For |
| normally find the cumulative call expenses as well as | | | | example, your employees might make personal |
| any discounts or additional charges that were applied | | | | international calls from your business line. That can be |
| during the month. This is the section that most | | | | expensive. Or, discounts and rates that you negotiated |
| company owners focus upon. Lacking time to conduct | | | | with your carrier may not be applied correctly. There |
| a thorough review, they search for the "total amount | | | | may even be mysterious service charges on your |
| due" and simply cut a check. | | | | invoice that are attached to features for which you |
| Taxes And Fees | | | | have no need. |
| The next portion lists the taxes and supplemental fees | | | | By taking the time to conduct a quick audit of your |
| that your provider is charging. For example, you'll often | | | | monthly telephone invoice, you can ensure that your |
| see a subscriber line charge, which is mandated by the | | | | business's phone-related expenses are both accurate |
| federal government. You'll also notice a universal | | | | and minimal. |