Payment Policy

Effective 05/31/2023

Payment Policy

This Payment Policy ("Policy") governs payments for consulting services provided by Strider Consulting LLC ("Strider Consulting," "Company," "we," "our," or "us"). By engaging our services, you ("Client") agree to the terms set forth below. In the event of a conflict between this Policy and a signed statement of work or consulting agreement, the signed document controls.

Engagement Documents & Rate Sheet

Each engagement is governed by a proposal, quote, statement of work ("SOW"), or consulting agreement. A current hourly billing rate sheet will be provided as an attachment to every SOW and applies to all time-and-materials work, change orders, and additional services under that SOW. Rate sheets are subject to periodic update; the rates in effect at the time an SOW is executed remain fixed for the engagement term stated in that SOW.

Payment Terms

Payment terms will be specified in your proposal, quote, statement of work, or consulting agreement. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the following terms apply.

​

Hourly Consulting Services

For work performed on a time and materials (hourly) basis:

• Strider Consulting will provide an initial estimate of anticipated hours based on the information available at the time of quoting. Estimates are planning tools, not guarantees, caps, or fixed fees — actual hours depend on the condition of the Client's records and systems and the timeliness of Client cooperation.

• A retainer equal to 50% of the estimated project cost is required before work begins. Consulting time is billed against the retainer as services are performed.

• When approximately 80% of the retainer has been utilized, we will reassess the remaining scope and provide an updated estimate. The Client agrees to replenish the retainer by 25% of the updated estimated remaining cost within five (5) business days, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

• If the retainer is exhausted before replenishment, work will pause until payment is received, and delivery timelines will extend accordingly. Time already incurred remains payable.

Fixed-Price Projects

For projects performed under a fixed-price agreement:

• A 25% non-refundable project deposit is required before work begins; the remaining schedule is set out in the applicable SOW.

• Fixed pricing is expressly conditioned on (a) the accuracy and completeness of the information the Client provides during scoping, and (b) the Client meeting its responsibilities under this Policy. Where either condition fails, the additional work is billable at the rate-sheet hourly rates.

Recurring & Fractional Engagements

For ongoing engagements (e.g., fractional CFO or interim controller services), fees are invoiced monthly in advance and due upon receipt unless the SOW states otherwise. Either party may end a recurring engagement with thirty (30) days' written notice; fees for the notice period remain payable.
 

Changes in Scope

Original proposals are based on the information provided at the time of preparation. Additional features or services, modifications to approved deliverables, expanded objectives, meetings beyond the agreed cadence, or requests made after milestone approval will be documented in a change order and billed at the provided rate-sheet hourly rates. Work on changed scope begins only after the change order is confirmed, which protects both parties from surprise. Examples of changes in scope that will result in a change order include but are not limited to the following:

• Requests for additional features or services.

• Modifications to previously approved deliverables.

• Expansion of project objectives.

• Additional meetings or consulting beyond the agreed scope.

• Requests received after approval of project milestones.

​

Client Responsibilities

Our ability to deliver on time and on budget depends on the Client. The Client agrees to provide, within five (5) business days of request (or the timeframe stated in the SOW): accurate and complete information; system access and login credentials at the permission level we specify; access to relevant personnel; approvals and sign-offs; and all documents reasonably necessary to perform the services. The Client will designate a single point of contact authorized to make decisions for the engagement.
 

All delivery timelines quoted by Strider Consulting are measured from — and conditioned on — timely Client cooperation. If required information, access, credentials, approvals, or deliverables are delayed, incomplete, or withheld; if project requirements prove materially different from those represented during scoping; or if Client-caused delays or rework add consulting time, then (a) timelines extend automatically by at least the length of the delay, and (b) the added time is billable at the rate-sheet hourly rates. Where practical, we will flag significant additional billable work before incurring it. If Client delays suspend an engagement for thirty (30) days or more, we may close the engagement and invoice all work performed; resuming later may require a new SOW at then-current rates.

Invoices

Unless otherwise specified in writing: invoices are due within 15 calendar days of the invoice date; payments must be made by methods we approve; and the Client bears applicable taxes, duties, and governmental charges. Billing questions or disputes must be raised in writing within ten (10) days of the invoice date; undisputed portions remain due on schedule.

Late Payments

If payment is not received when due: work may be suspended and schedules adjusted; deliverables, reports, and work product may be withheld until balances are satisfied; overdue amounts may accrue a late charge of 1.5% per month (or the maximum permitted by law, if lower); and we may recover reasonable collection costs where permitted by law. Suspension for non-payment does not relieve the Client of payment obligations for work already performed.

Our Commitment to You

We stand behind our work. If you believe any deliverable falls short of the agreed scope, notify us in writing within ten (10) business days of delivery and we will work with you in good faith to understand the concern and, where the shortfall is ours, correct or re-perform the work at no additional charge. Correction or re-performance (or, at our discretion, a credit toward future services) is the exclusive remedy for service concerns. We would rather fix a problem than win an argument — tell us, and we will make it right.
 

Refund Policy

Consulting services reserve professional time and deliver expertise; payments are therefore generally non-refundable. A refund of the unused portion of a retainer will be issued where: we are unable to complete the agreed scope; the Client has not materially changed that scope; the Client has met its responsibilities under this Policy; and completion was not prevented or materially delayed by Client actions or omissions — after all work performed has been invoiced, reimbursable expenses accounted for, and outstanding balances deducted. Fixed-price deposits reserve scheduling and initiate planning and are non-refundable except where required by law or where we are unable to perform under the conditions above.

​

Cancellation of Services

Either party may terminate in accordance with the applicable consulting agreement. Upon termination, the Client remains responsible for all services performed through the effective termination date and approved third-party expenses; any refundable balance is determined under this Policy.

Payment Processing

Payments made through the Website are processed by secure third-party payment providers. Strider Consulting does not store complete credit card or banking information.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time; the version in effect on the date an SOW is executed governs that engagement.
 

Questions

Questions regarding billing, invoices, payments, or refunds may be directed to +1 (404) 981-3472

or info@striderconsultingllc.com.