Job Cost

The Job Cost program maintains a master job file with information about the jobs including description, project manager, date opened, status, name and address of developer, owner and/or bill-to, general ledger control accounts and type of job.

Primary job types are Capital, Work for Others, and Operations (O&M). These categories affect the relationship between the job cost subsidiary and general ledger and determine the manner in which a job closes. Jobs are further identified by a user defined classification and subclassification, providing for reference and comparison of like projects.

All expenses charged to a job are identified as to type of cost. Common cost categories are labor, materials, outside services, equipment and overhead. Programs such as payroll, inventory and equipment assign the cost category. The cost code is entered by the operator when it could be variable, such as in accounts payable.

Transactions are also identified with an "activity" number. This is an optional number for use in further defining the phase or function within a job. If consistent activities are used throughout, such as planning or engineering or legal services, reports can be obtained across all jobs for these activities. On a pipe line repair, for example, activity #s could be used for trenching, repair, street resurfacing and inspection. Unique activity numbers may be used within a job, if needed.

Comprehensive reporting is then available in detail and summary by various categories and combinations including job type, control account, project manager, activity, cost category and date range.

Materials needed for a job, and optionally the dates required, may be recorded in the materials list or the inventory list associated with each job. Parts in the inventory list with dates specified are recognized by the inventory software as being reserved within the designated lead time, and factor into the inventory quantities available and reorder points.

Overhead schedules specify types of overhead, rates and the cost categories on which overhead should be applied. A schedule number in the job accesses the applicable overhead factors. If a job is to be billed, invoices or credit memos may be prepared for both progress and final billings.

Job cost is considered a subsidiary to general ledger. All programs interfacing to job cost create controlling entries to general ledger by job, type of transaction and/or cost code, depending on user requirements.