Tag: Variable Costing

Contract Costing is a form of specific order costing used predominantly in the construction industry and other sectors where work is executed as per customer specifications over a long period. It involves tracking costs associated with a particular contract or project, which may span months or years. Each contract is treated as a cost unit, and all direct and indirect expenses—like materials, labor, overheads, and plant usage—are allocated accordingly.

Important Terminologies of Contract Costing:

1. Cost of Work Certified

This refers to the portion of the contract work that has been completed and verified by the contractee’s (client’s) architect or engineer. It represents the value of work approved for payment, based on progress certificates. It does not include uncertified or incomplete work. The contractor is entitled to receive payment for this portion, subject to retention and other terms. Cost of Work Certified is crucial for accounting, as it helps determine revenue recognition and profitability for ongoing contracts. It ensures both parties agree on the stage-wise value of completed work during the project.

2. Cost of Work Uncertified (Work-in-Progress)

This represents the value of work completed by the contractor but not yet certified or approved by the client. Though the work is physically done, it has not been officially measured or accepted for billing. This may be due to timing differences or partial completion of a specific task. It is considered work-in-progress and included as an asset in the contractor’s books. Costing records maintain this separately from certified work, as its valuation involves estimation and is typically valued at cost without any profit margin until certified.

3. Work-in-Progress (WIP)

Work-in-progress is the total value of work done on a contract that is still incomplete at the end of the accounting period. It includes both certified and uncertified work. WIP is treated as an asset in the balance sheet because it represents value created but not yet fully realized through payment. Accurate WIP valuation is essential for presenting a true picture of the financial status of ongoing contracts. It helps in profit recognition under contract costing and impacts the financial results, especially in long-term construction or manufacturing contracts.

4. Retention Money

Retention money is the amount withheld by the contractee (client) from the contractor’s interim payments, usually a fixed percentage of the certified value. It is retained until the contract is completed and defects liability period has passed. This acts as a security against defective work or incomplete jobs. The contractor receives the retained amount only after successfully fulfilling all contract obligations. Retention ensures quality compliance and safeguards the client’s interest. Though deducted from progress payments, retention money is shown as a receivable (asset) in the contractor’s balance sheet.

5. Notional Profit

Notional Profit is the difference between the value of work certified and the cost of work certified. It is a temporary or unrealized profit that arises in incomplete contracts. Since the contract is not fully completed, notional profit helps estimate the amount of profit that can be prudently recognized. Only a portion of notional profit is transferred to the Profit & Loss Account based on the stage of completion and cash received. This ensures that income is matched with actual contract performance and avoids overstatement of profits.

Notional Profit = Work Certified – Cost of Work Certified

6. Estimated Profit

Estimated Profit is the difference between the contract price and the total estimated cost to complete the contract. It reflects the expected total profit upon full completion of the project. It is used especially when a contract is nearing completion, and the business wants to recognize a portion of the final profit in the accounts. The portion transferred to the Profit & Loss Account is based on the percentage of completion and payments received. Estimated profit offers a more forward-looking approach than notional profit in contract accounting.

Estimated Profit = Contract Price – Estimated Total Cost

7. Escalation Clause

An escalation clause is a provision in the contract that allows for an adjustment in the contract price if there are significant changes in the cost of materials, labor, or other inputs during the contract period. This clause protects the contractor from unexpected cost increases due to inflation, fuel hikes, government policy changes, or supply shortages. It also benefits the client if prices fall, as contracts may include downward revisions. The clause ensures fair compensation and helps maintain financial feasibility, especially in long-term projects with unpredictable cost fluctuations.

Economic Batch Quantity (EBQ) is the optimal number of units to be produced in a single batch that minimizes the total cost of production and inventory. It is similar to the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) concept but applies to internal production rather than purchasing. EBQ helps balance two types of costs: setup costs (costs incurred each time a batch is produced) and carrying costs (costs of holding inventory). By determining the ideal batch size, companies can reduce production downtime, lower storage costs, and enhance efficiency, making it a vital tool in batch-oriented manufacturing environments.

Functions of Economic Batch Quantity (EBQ):

• Minimizes Total Inventory Cost

One of the primary functions of EBQ is to reduce the combined cost of setup and carrying inventory. Producing in too small batches increases setup frequency, raising setup costs. Conversely, large batches raise inventory holding costs. EBQ strikes a balance between the two, ensuring that neither cost becomes excessive. By calculating the most economical quantity to produce at one time, businesses can maintain optimal inventory levels. This leads to cost savings, better utilization of resources, and improved overall profitability.

• Optimizes Production Scheduling

EBQ plays a crucial role in streamlining production schedules. By determining the ideal batch size, companies can plan production runs more efficiently, reducing idle time between batches. This helps in minimizing production disruptions and machine downtime. Knowing how much to produce and when enables better workforce planning, machine allocation, and raw material procurement. As a result, production activities become smoother, more predictable, and easier to manage. It also helps prevent bottlenecks, supporting continuous and efficient manufacturing processes across departments.

• Improves Inventory Management

Using EBQ ensures that inventory levels are kept within a manageable range, neither too high nor too low. This helps reduce excess stock that could lead to storage issues, damage, or obsolescence. At the same time, it ensures that there are sufficient items to meet demand, preventing stockouts. This balance improves the efficiency of warehouse operations and reduces wastage. Better inventory management also enhances cash flow, as less capital is tied up in unused stock, and resources are more effectively allocated.

• Enhances Decision-Making

EBQ provides critical data for managerial decision-making. Knowing the economic batch size allows managers to make informed decisions about order quantities, production cycles, procurement, and cost management. It serves as a quantitative foundation for developing efficient production and inventory strategies. With accurate EBQ figures, companies can better negotiate with suppliers, set realistic delivery timelines, and determine pricing strategies. This clarity enables quicker and smarter business decisions, improving responsiveness to market changes and aligning operational goals with financial planning.

• Supports Cost Estimation and Control

By standardizing batch sizes, EBQ aids in more precise cost estimation for production and inventory. It helps businesses determine fixed and variable costs per unit and plan budgets accordingly. When batch sizes are consistent and cost-effective, cost control becomes more manageable. Companies can set benchmarks and compare actual costs with estimated ones, identifying inefficiencies or areas for improvement. EBQ helps to prevent overproduction or underproduction, ensuring that costs do not exceed expected levels and operations remain financially sustainable.

• Assists in Meeting Demand Efficiently

EBQ ensures that production aligns with customer demand without creating shortages or excess stock. It helps businesses produce the right quantity at the right time, satisfying market needs while controlling costs. By aligning production cycles with sales forecasts, EBQ minimizes the risk of unfulfilled orders or unused inventory. This function is particularly beneficial in industries with fluctuating demand, where overproduction can lead to losses. EBQ supports just-in-time principles and responsive supply chains, making organizations more agile and competitive.

Components of Economic Batch Quantity (EBQ):

• Setup Cost per Batch

Setup cost refers to the fixed expenses incurred every time a new batch is initiated. These costs include machine preparation, calibration, labor for setup, and downtime during the changeover. Unlike variable costs, setup costs remain constant regardless of the number of units produced in the batch. The higher the setup cost, the larger the EBQ will be, as it spreads the cost over more units to reduce the per-unit setup expense. Accurate estimation of setup costs is essential for determining the most economical batch size.

• Demand Rate (Annual Consumption)

The demand rate is the total quantity of a product required by customers or internal processes over a specific period, usually a year. It is a key factor in EBQ calculations because it influences how frequently production batches need to be scheduled. A higher demand rate generally results in a higher EBQ to maintain supply levels efficiently. Knowing the exact or forecasted annual consumption helps manufacturers determine how many batches are needed and how large each batch should be to meet customer needs without incurring excess costs.

• Holding Cost per Unit per Year

Holding cost, also known as carrying cost, includes all expenses associated with storing unsold inventory. This can involve storage space, insurance, depreciation, obsolescence, and opportunity costs. In EBQ, the holding cost is calculated on a per-unit, per-year basis and directly affects the economic batch size. If holding costs are high, smaller batches are more economical to minimize storage duration. Conversely, lower holding costs support larger batches. A precise understanding of holding costs allows companies to maintain a balance between production efficiency and inventory management.

• Unit Production Cost (Optional)

Although not always included in the EBQ formula, the unit production cost can be relevant when calculating total cost implications. This cost includes raw materials, direct labor, and variable overheads required to produce one unit of output. It does not typically affect the EBQ directly unless it varies with batch size. Including unit production cost helps in making broader financial decisions, such as pricing, budgeting, and cost analysis. When used in conjunction with EBQ, it provides a comprehensive view of cost per unit and batch profitability.

In a Job Costing System, each job is treated as a separate cost unit, and all related costs—direct materials, direct labor, and applied overheads—are accumulated under that job. These costs are recorded through accounting entries in the books to ensure proper tracking and financial reporting.

The cost accounting process in job costing is divided into the following stages:

1. Purchase of Raw Materials

Raw materials are first purchased and stored in the Raw Materials Inventory account.

Journal Entry:

2. Issue of Direct Materials to Job

When materials are issued specifically for a job, the cost is transferred to the Work-in-Progress (WIP) Inventory account.

Journal Entry:

3. Issue of Indirect Materials

Materials not directly traceable to a specific job (like lubricants) are treated as factory overhead.

Journal Entry:

4. Direct Labor Charges

Wages paid to employees working on a specific job are considered direct labor and charged to the job account.

Journal Entry:

5. Indirect Labor Charges

Wages paid to factory supervisors, cleaners, or other indirect staff are considered overheads.

Journal Entry:

6. Overhead Applied to Job

Overhead costs are applied to jobs using a predetermined overhead rate based on labor hours or machine hours.

Journal Entry:

7. Job Completion

Once the job is complete, the total cost is transferred from Work-in-Progress to Finished Goods Inventory.

Journal Entry:

8. Sale of Job

If the job is sold, the sales revenue is recorded, and the cost of goods sold is transferred.

a. Record Sale:

b. Transfer Cost to Cost of Goods Sold (COGS):

Summary Table of Job Cost Accounting Entries

Job Cost Sheet is a detailed document used in job order costing to record and track all costs associated with a specific job or order. It includes direct materials, direct labor, and applied manufacturing overhead for each job. Each job is assigned a unique job number, and the sheet helps in monitoring the job’s cost, setting the selling price, and evaluating profitability. It ensures cost control and accurate pricing, especially in industries with customized production. Once the job is completed, the total cost from the job cost sheet is transferred to the Cost of Goods Manufactured (COGM).

Reports in Job Costing System:

• Job Cost Sheet Report

This is the primary report in a job costing system. It records and summarizes all costs associated with a specific job. It includes details like job number, description, customer name, materials used, labor hours, overheads applied, total cost, and cost per unit (if applicable).

• Material Consumption Report

This report tracks the quantity and value of materials issued to each job. It uses data from material requisition slips and helps in identifying how much raw material was consumed per job.

• Labor Utilization Report

This report details the labor hours spent on each job and the corresponding labor cost. It is prepared using time sheets or job cards.

• Overhead Application Report

This report shows how factory overheads have been allocated to different jobs using a predetermined overhead rate (e.g., based on labor hours or machine hours).

• Job Profitability Report

This report compares the total job cost with the revenue earned from that job. It shows whether the job was profitable or incurred a loss.

• Work-in-Progress (WIP) Report

This report lists all jobs that are still under production and not yet completed. It includes costs accumulated so far on each job.

• Completed Jobs Report

This report lists all jobs that have been completed within a certain period. It summarizes the cost incurred and revenue generated for each job.

• Job Variance Report

This report compares estimated costs with actual costs for each job. Variances may occur in materials, labor, or overheads.

• Summary Job Cost Report

This consolidated report gives an overview of multiple jobs handled during a specific period. It presents summarized data on materials, labor, overhead, total cost, and profit or loss.

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.

Process costing is a costing method applied where goods are produced through a sequence of continuous or repetitive operations or processes. It is used in industries like chemicals, oil refining, textiles, sugar, food processing, paints, etc., where the output of one process becomes the input of the next.

Process Account is a ledger account used to accumulate all costs associated with a specific process. It helps identify the cost per unit and track material, labor, and overheads incurred in each production stage.

Steps in Preparation of a Process Account:

1. Identify the Process Stages

Each stage of production must be separately accounted for. For example, if a product passes through Process 1, Process 2, and Process 3, you need to prepare a separate process account for each.

2. Record Direct Material

Materials consumed in the process are debited to the respective process account.

Example:
₹10,000 worth of raw material is consumed in Process 1.

3. Record Direct Labor

Labor directly involved in a particular process is also debited to that process account.

Example:
₹5,000 is spent on wages in Process 1.

4. Allocate Direct Expenses

Expenses like fuel, power, and maintenance directly related to the process are debited to the process account.

Example:
₹2,000 of fuel and ₹1,000 of maintenance for Process 1.

5. Allocate Overheads

Overheads (indirect costs) are apportioned to each process using a predetermined rate.

Example:
Factory overheads allocated to Process 1: ₹3,000.

6. Account for Losses

• Normal Loss: Unavoidable loss due to the nature of the process.

• Abnormal Loss: Loss beyond the expected limit, recorded separately and transferred to the Abnormal Loss Account.

7. Transfer to Next Process

The output of the process (minus losses) is transferred to the next process or finished goods.

Process Account Table Format:

Let’s assume a company has two processes: Process 1 and Process 2.

Process 1 Account

Note: Abnormal Loss is valued at cost per unit and transferred to the Abnormal Loss Account.

Process 2 Account

Note: Abnormal Gain is the excess output received over expected. It is debited to Process Account and credited to Abnormal Gain Account.

Abnormal Loss Account

Abnormal Gain Account

Closing Transfers:

After preparation of the process accounts:

• The output from the last process is transferred to the Finished Goods Account.

• Any abnormal loss/gain is transferred to the Costing Profit and Loss Account.

• Scrap value, if any, is deducted from the loss.

Operating costing is an extension and refined form of process costing. It is also more or less very similar to single or output costing. The operating costing gives more emphasis on providing services rather than the cost of manufacturing an article. The services provided may be for sale to the general public or they may be provided within an organization.

Features:

• Documents like the daily log sheet, operating cost sheet, boiler house cost sheet, canteen cost sheet etc. are used for the collection of cost data.
• Uniformity of service to all the customers.
• Intangible products: Service organizations do not produce tangible goods. On the other hand, they are engaged in providing services to the public.
• It can be applied to the services within the organisation as well as extending services to the community at large.
• Total costs are averaged over the total amount of service rendered.
• The cost unit may be simple in certain cases, and composite or compound in other cases like transport undertakings.
• Involves fixed and variable costs. The distinction is necessary to ascertain the cost of service and the unit cost of service.
• Many stages and processes: The conversion of basic materials into services involves many stages and processes.
• It is not concerned with accounting for inventories, other than those for miscellaneous supplies. There is nothing like finished services inventory similar to finished goods inventory.
• Service undertakings do not produce physical articles for stock and sale. But services are sold to consumers.

Objectives

• This system requires a more detailed but simpler statistical data for proper costing.
• Unlike in other methods of costing, selection of cost unit is difficult in operating costing.
• The amount of working capital required to meet out the day-to-day expenses, is comparatively less.
• These undertakings are engaged in rendering services of unique nature to their customers.
• Operating costs are mostly period costs.
• In the case of these undertakings, a proper distinction between fixed and variable cost is of utmost importance since the economies and scale of operations considerably affect the cost per unit of service rendered. For example, in case of a transport company if the buses run capacity packed, the fixed cost per passenger shall be lower.
• These undertakings are required to invest a large proportion of their total capital in fixed assets e.g., trucks, buses, ships, aircrafts, railway engines, wagons, railway lines, etc.

Classification of Operating Cost

The operating costs can be classified into three categories. For example, in the case of a transport undertaking, these three categories are as follows:

Operating and running charges: It includes expenses of variable nature. For example:

• Expenses on petrol, diesel
• Lubricating oil, and grease, etc.
• Wages of the driver, conductor, etc. (if payment is based on time or distance of trips)
• The commission is taking on the bridge (toll)
• Depreciation (if allocated based on mileage run and treated as variable expenses)

Maintenance charges: These expenses are semi-variable and include the cost of:

• Tires and tubes
• Repairs and maintenance
• Spares and accessories, overhaul, etc.

Fixed or standing charges: These costs are fixed in nature though the operation is on standing position, which includes:

• Garage rent
• Insurance
• Road license
• Depreciation
• Interest on capital
• Administrative overheads
• Motor vehicle tax
• Garage rent
• General supervision
• Salary of an operating manager, supervisor, etc.

Contract Costing is a form of specific order costing used predominantly in the construction industry and other sectors where work is executed as per customer specifications over a long period. It involves tracking costs associated with a particular contract or project, which may span months or years. Each contract is treated as a cost unit, and all direct and indirect expenses—like materials, labor, overheads, and plant usage—are allocated accordingly. Contract Costing provides detailed insights into the profitability and financial status of individual contracts. It is particularly useful for large-scale projects such as buildings, roads, bridges, and shipbuilding, where accurate cost monitoring and control are essential.

Essential Features  of Contract Costing:

• Project-Based Costing

Contract costing is applied to long-term, project-specific work where each contract is treated as a distinct cost unit. This means all costs—materials, labor, overheads—are identified and recorded separately for each contract. It allows businesses to track the cost and profitability of each individual project. This feature is especially useful in industries like construction and engineering, where contracts are customized, large in scale, and vary significantly in duration and resource requirements. Maintaining separate accounts helps ensure accurate billing, effective cost control, and performance evaluation for every project undertaken by the business.

• Long-Term Nature of Contracts

Contracts in contract costing usually extend over a long period—several months or even years. Due to this extended duration, costs are incurred over various accounting periods. As a result, income recognition and cost tracking are done progressively. This long-term feature also makes it necessary to account for work-in-progress and use specific methods like the percentage of completion to estimate revenue and profit. This helps in fair financial reporting and ensures that the costs and revenues are matched properly over the life of the contract rather than being recorded only upon completion.

• Site-Based Production

Unlike traditional manufacturing done in factories, contract work is typically performed at the client’s location or a specific project site. This means that materials, labor, and machinery are transported to the site, and costs are accumulated there. The site-based nature makes it necessary to manage logistics, supervise operations closely, and maintain on-site records. This feature also affects cost control, as variable factors like site conditions, weather, and local labor availability can impact expenses. Therefore, effective on-site cost monitoring and control systems are critical in contract costing.

• High Value and Specificity

Contracts are usually high in monetary value and tailored to the specific needs of a client. Due to this, there is a detailed contract agreement outlining the scope, specifications, timeline, and payment terms. The high value and customization mean that even minor cost deviations can significantly affect profitability. Therefore, each contract requires careful planning, budgeting, and execution. Contract costing ensures that resources are efficiently used, expenses are controlled, and every cost component is tracked to provide transparency and support informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

• Use of Progress Payments and Retention Money

In contract costing, payments are typically made in stages based on work completed, known as progress payments. These payments are certified by architects or engineers and form a part of the contractor’s revenue. A portion of each payment may be withheld by the client as retention money to ensure contract completion and quality standards. This staged payment approach helps contractors manage cash flow over long-duration projects. Contract costing provides the mechanism to track completed work, recognize revenue proportionately, and account for outstanding payments and retention money accurately in financial records.

• Recording of Work-in-Progress (WIP)

Since contracts take time to complete, a significant portion of the work might still be under execution at the end of an accounting period. This incomplete work is termed Work-in-Progress (WIP). In contract costing, WIP must be valued and recorded properly to show a fair picture of the organization’s financial position. It includes the value of work certified, uncertified work, and associated costs. Accurate tracking of WIP ensures that revenue and profit are correctly matched with the costs, supporting reliable financial reporting and performance evaluation of ongoing contracts.

Applications of Contract Costing:

• Construction Industry

Contract costing is most widely applied in the construction sector for projects like buildings, highways, bridges, dams, and tunnels. Each construction project is treated as a separate contract with specific plans, materials, labor, and equipment. Costs are tracked and controlled individually for each contract, ensuring financial clarity. Progress payments, retention money, and work-in-progress valuations are central to these projects. Contract costing helps in tracking the profitability of large construction assignments and assists in managing long project durations by monitoring costs against budgets and billing milestones in an organized and transparent manner.

• Shipbuilding Industry

Shipbuilding involves the design and construction of ships, submarines, and other marine vessels, usually commissioned through individual contracts. These contracts are complex, capital-intensive, and span several months or years. Due to their uniqueness and high cost, each shipbuilding order is tracked independently using contract costing. Materials, specialized labor, and overheads are assigned to specific vessels, making cost control and performance evaluation easier. The method also allows for appropriate revenue recognition over the contract period and helps in financial planning, especially where milestone-based or stage-wise payments are involved.

• Civil Engineering Projects

Large-scale civil engineering contracts—such as railway construction, airports, metros, irrigation systems, and pipelines—rely heavily on contract costing. These projects require precise tracking of direct and indirect costs over extended durations and vast geographical areas. Contract costing helps engineers and financial managers control budgets, assess profitability, and allocate resources efficiently. Progress billing, retention clauses, and work certifications are used extensively in such projects, and contract costing provides the framework to manage them. This system ensures accurate reporting of project status, facilitates client billing, and improves accountability in public and private infrastructure developments.

• Road and Highway Development

Government and private contracts for developing roads, highways, and expressways involve large investments and extended timelines. Contract costing ensures that each road or stretch under construction is treated as an individual contract with its own cost structure. Costs for earthwork, surfacing, bridges, labor, and materials are tracked against milestones. The method provides insights into whether the contract is profitable, under-budget, or experiencing cost overruns. It is also useful in documenting and justifying claims for extra work or delays. Thus, contract costing supports cost control, contract management, and financial accountability in transport infrastructure development.

• Aircraft Manufacturing and Heavy Engineering

In industries where products like aircrafts, turbines, and heavy machinery are built to customer specifications, contract costing is essential. Each product is unique and made as per contractual terms, often with complex engineering requirements. Materials, labor, R&D, and testing costs are captured individually for each unit. Contract costing helps determine actual production costs, recognize revenue in stages, and manage long manufacturing cycles. It allows the manufacturer to plan resources effectively and ensures the contract remains financially viable, especially when dealing with strict timelines, high precision, and compliance requirements.

• IT and Software Development Projects

Custom software development and IT system implementation projects also use contract costing, especially when undertaken on a project-by-project basis. Each client’s software or system is unique, and development may last for months. Costs such as programmer salaries, testing tools, cloud services, and development hours are tracked per contract. Progress payments, agile development cycles, and milestone billing make contract costing a suitable approach. It ensures transparency for clients and helps IT companies monitor profitability, control overruns, and schedule project delivery efficiently, all while complying with accounting standards and client expectations.

Types of Contract Costing:

• Cost-Plus Contract

A Cost-Plus Contract is an agreement where the contractor is reimbursed for all actual costs incurred in completing the project, along with an additional amount or percentage as profit. This type of contract is ideal when the scope of work is uncertain or may change during execution, such as in R&D or complex infrastructure projects. It provides flexibility to the contractor and ensures that unexpected costs do not lead to financial loss. However, clients often retain the right to audit expenses, and strict cost control is required. Transparency, trust, and regular reporting are critical to the success of such contracts.

Total Payment to Contractor = Actual Cost Incurred + Profit Margin (or Fee)

Where:

Actual Cost Incurred = Cost of materials + labor + overheads, etc.

Profit Margin = Either a fixed amount or a percentage of cost

• Target-Price Contracts

Target-Price Contracts are agreements where a target cost for the contract is pre-agreed by both the client and the contractor. If the actual cost is lower than the target, the savings are shared based on an agreed ratio. Conversely, if the cost exceeds the target, the overrun is also shared. This system encourages both parties to control costs and improve efficiency. These contracts are useful in projects where price flexibility is needed but cost incentives are desired. They promote collaboration, cost consciousness, and performance improvement, and are often used in defense, aerospace, and other large-scale public or private sector contracts.

Final Payment = Actual Cost ± Contractor’s Share of Gain or Loss

Where:

Target Price = Agreed estimated cost of contract

Actual Cost = Total incurred cost

Difference = Target Price – Actual Cost

Gain/Loss Share = Difference × Agreed sharing ratio (e.g., 50:50)

In contract costing, especially in long-term projects, contracts may span several accounting periods. In such cases, it becomes necessary to calculate and recognize a portion of the profit earned from contracts that are incomplete at the end of the financial year. This practice follows the matching principle of accounting, ensuring that revenues and related expenses are recognized in the same period.

Recognizing profit on incomplete contracts is vital for reflecting the true financial position and operational performance of a business, particularly in industries like construction, shipbuilding, or infrastructure development where contracts are typically long-term and high-value.

Purpose of Calculating Profit on Incomplete Contracts:

• To report realistic financial results.

• To match cost and revenue within the accounting period.

• To avoid overstating or understating profits.

• To provide timely financial data to management, shareholders, and creditors.

Since incomplete contracts are not fully billed or paid, only a reasonable and prudent portion of the profit is recognized. This ensures that revenue recognition is not aggressive and reflects actual performance.

Basis of Profit Recognition:

Profit on incomplete contracts can be estimated using two key profit figures:

• Notional Profit = Work Certified – Cost of Work Certified

• Estimated Profit = Contract Price – (Cost Incurred to Date + Estimated Cost to Complete)

Depending on the level of completion of the contract, either notional or estimated profit is used.

Stages of Completion and Treatment:

The stage of completion determines how much profit should be recognized. General accounting practice includes:

a. Less than 25% Complete

• No profit is recognized.

• The contract is still in its early stages.

• All costs are carried forward as work-in-progress.

b. 25% to 50% Complete

• Recognize 1/3 of Notional Profit, adjusted for cash received.

Formula:

Profit to P&L = 1/3 × Notional Profit × (Cash Received / Work Certified)

c. 50% to 90% Complete

• Recognize 2/3 of Notional Profit, adjusted for cash received.

Formula:

Profit to P&L = 2/3 × Notional Profit × (Cash Received / Work Certified)

d. 90% or More (Near Completion)

• Use Estimated Profit as basis.

• Recognize a prudent portion of the estimated profit.

Formula:

Profit to P&L = Estimated Profit × (Work Certified / Contract Price) × (Cash Received / Work Certified)

Or simply:

Profit to P&L = Estimated Profit × % of Completion × Cash Ratio

These formulas help balance the amount of profit to be recognized while considering the risk associated with incomplete work.

Profit Transfer to Profit and Loss Account:

Only the calculated share of profit is transferred to the Profit & Loss account. The remainder is retained as reserve against contingencies or shown under Work-in-Progress in the Balance Sheet. This provides a cushion for future losses, cost overruns, or disputes.

Presentation in Financial Statements:

• Balance Sheet:

  • Work-in-progress is shown as an asset.

  • Retention money receivable is also included under current assets.

  • Any reserve or deferred profit is shown separately.

• Profit & Loss Account:

  • Only the calculated share of profit is credited.

  • Costs of contract and other related expenses are debited.