A cover statement is a separate sheet that summarizes the balances of statements printed for a client. The Cover Statement option is specified on the Statement Options tab in the Client Information window.

If the client has multiple matters, the cover statement can include a summary of all matters for the client or a summary for only one matter. For example, Client IDs 100.01 and 100.02 are considered matters for client 100. When statements are printed for matters 100.01 and 100.02 and the Cover Statement option is Detail or Summary for these matters, then a single cover statement will be printed for the client after statements for the matters have been printed. The cover statement will include amounts for all matters that had statements printed. However, if the Cover Statement option is set to Individual Detail or Individual Summary for these matters, then a separate cover statement will print for each individual matter.

The cover statement option can be changed via the Client Information window or the Change Client Options utility. The default Cover Statement option for new clients is specified on the Client Defaults tab in Customization.

Note: Cover statements cannot be generated without first running the actual statements for the matters. However, you can select the Cover Statement Only check box when printing statements.

Note: Cover statements may not print as expected if the client's matters are assigned different primary, secondary or originating timekeepers and you are using the Cover Statement option of Detail or Summary. If you run a batch of statements in timekeeper order in this situation, separate cover statements for each matter will be generated.

Note: When printing cover statements that span multiple pages, the initial page of the cover statement will print from the tray specified as the Source for Page One in Statement Setup. Subsequent pages will print from the tray specified for Continuation Pages.

Format of the Cover Statement

Some of the terminology on the cover statement can be changed on the Cover Stmt tab in Statement Customization.

If used, the global heading and ending message from the Headings tab of Statement Customization are included on the cover statement. The beginning and ending template notes are included if the Include Statement Notes on a Cover Statement check box is selected for the statement template. (See also: All About Statement Notes)

The address shown on the statement is determined by the Main Cover Client option in the Client Information window. (See also: Main Cover Client Examples)

If the Statement Type option for a statement template is set to Invoice, then the previous balance, payments and credits are excluded from the cover statement for that particular matter. (Note: Credits will appear in this situation if the "Print credits on invoice format statements" option on the Options tab of Statement Customization is selected.)

Notes: If using a cover statement, make sure the statement template used by all matters for that client have their Statement Type option set the same. If some matters are set for Invoice and some matters are set for Statement, the cover statement figures will be confusing because "Balance Due" means two different things depending on the Statement Type option.

Also, if you are printing a single cover statement for multiple matters (e.g., not using the Individual Detail or Individual Summary options), we recommend that all matters have the Combine Matters check box selected and use the same Cover Statement option. Otherwise unexpected breaks and totaling may occur. Tabs3 Billing will print a cover statement based on the Cover Statement option for the matter that is designated as the Main Cover Client.

The Options tab in Statement Customization includes a Combine All Totals on Statement check box. If this check box is selected, then the cover statement will include a grand total for all matters as well as totals for amounts to remit to replenish trust balances and client funds balances.

Note: For information on how Cover Statements and Combine Matters affect the order of printing, visit Knowledge Base Article R11466, “Statement Printing Order.”

See also:   How PDF File Names are Assigned
  Knowledge Base Article R11501 - Troubleshooting Combine Matters and Cover Statements in Tabs3 Billing