Question regarding hours and shutdown of VM

I think this is a dumb question because I'm sure I already know the answer...

If I create a Windows Azure VM for Windows and I shut it down when we don't need it. (That's clicking the shut down button in the Portal, not deleting the VM) does it still count against our hours?

I ask because we have ups and downs in usage each day and we would like to shut down the VM when we don't need it. But if we are being charged for this, then we need to figure something else out.

Thanks,

Owner, Quilnet Solutions