Preparation of Job Cost Sheet, Steps in preparation of Job Cost Sheet

Job Cost Sheet is a document used in job order costing to track all costs associated with a specific job or project. It records direct materials, direct labor, and applied manufacturing overhead incurred during production. Each job has a unique job cost sheet that helps in estimating total cost, setting selling price, and analyzing profitability. It serves as a detailed cost summary for management to monitor job performance. Once the job is complete, the total cost on the sheet is transferred to the Cost of Goods Manufactured (COGM). It’s crucial for customized production where jobs differ significantly.

Components of Job Cost Sheet:

• Job Information

This section provides general information about the specific job. It includes the job number or job name, customer name, starting and ending dates, and a brief description of the work to be performed. This helps in identifying and distinguishing the job from others, especially in a job order system where multiple jobs are processed simultaneously. Accurate job details are crucial for tracking costs, managing timelines, and ensuring proper delivery of the final product to the client.

• Direct Materials

Direct materials are those raw materials that are specifically traceable to the job. On the job cost sheet, the quantity and cost of materials issued to the job are recorded, typically supported by material requisition forms. This allows companies to monitor material usage and avoid wastage. By tracking these costs, management can better estimate the total cost of a job, manage inventory efficiently, and control the cost of production by identifying areas of material overuse or inefficiencies.

• Direct Labor

Direct labor includes the wages paid to workers who are directly involved in producing the job. The job cost sheet records labor hours and wage rates, usually supported by time tickets or time sheets. Tracking direct labor is important for labor cost control, employee performance evaluation, and accurate job costing. This component ensures that only the labor specifically used for the job is charged, making it easier to determine job profitability and plan future labor requirements.

• Manufacturing Overhead

Manufacturing overhead includes all indirect production costs, such as factory rent, electricity, depreciation, and indirect labor, which cannot be directly traced to a job. These costs are applied to the job using a predetermined overhead rate, usually based on direct labor hours or machine hours. This section on the job cost sheet ensures that each job bears a fair share of indirect costs, making the total cost estimation more accurate and useful for pricing and decision-making.

• Total Job Cost

This section sums up all the costs incurred on the job: Direct Materials + Direct Labor + Applied Overhead. The total job cost helps in determining the Cost of Goods Manufactured (COGM) for that particular job. It also serves as a basis for setting the selling price, evaluating profitability, and preparing financial reports. Comparing estimated costs with actual total costs provides insights into cost control effectiveness and helps improve budgeting for future jobs.

• Cost per Unit (if applicable)

If the job results in multiple units of output, this section calculates the cost per unit by dividing the total job cost by the number of units produced. This figure helps in analyzing pricing strategies, assessing profit margins, and making decisions about accepting similar jobs in the future. For customized production environments, knowing the cost per unit is vital for ensuring that pricing covers all incurred costs and includes a reasonable profit margin.

Preparation of Job Cost Sheet

The Job Cost Sheet is a crucial document used in job order costing to determine the total cost incurred for a specific job or order. It is prepared systematically to track all costs accurately.

Steps in Preparation of Job Cost Sheet

1. Identify Job Details

• Assign a unique Job Number/Name

• Record customer name, job description, and order date

• Mention the expected completion date

Purpose: To uniquely identify and track the job throughout the production process.

2. Record Direct Materials Cost

• Use Material Requisition Slips to identify materials issued for the job

• Record quantity, rate, and total cost of materials used

Purpose: To capture all raw material costs directly linked to the job.

3. Record Direct Labor Cost

• Use Time Tickets or Job Cards to collect labor hours worked on the job

• Multiply labor hours by the wage rate

• Record total direct labor cost

Purpose: To measure the actual labor cost involved in the job.

4. Apply Manufacturing Overheads

• Use a predetermined overhead rate (e.g., ₹X per labor hour or machine hour)

• Multiply the actual base (e.g., labor hours) by the overhead rate

• Record the applied overhead

Purpose: To allocate indirect costs like rent, power, supervision, etc., fairly to each job.

5. Calculate Total Job Cost

• Add Direct Material Cost + Direct Labor Cost + Overhead Cost

• Record the total job cost in the sheet

Purpose: To estimate total production cost for decision-making, pricing, and profitability analysis.

6. Determine Cost per Unit (if applicable)

• Divide total job cost by number of units produced

• Record cost per unit

Purpose: Useful in comparing actual costs with estimated or standard costs.

7. Review and Verify

• Cross-check entries with source documents

• Ensure proper allocation of all costs

• Get the job sheet approved by the cost accountant or manager

Purpose: To ensure accuracy and reliability of cost data for reporting and analysis.