Accounting for Material and Plant Used in a Contract
Material Accounting Material refers to any commodity or substance processed in a factory for conversion into a finished product. In cost accounting, material is classified as part of inventory. The terms “material” and “raw material” are often used interchangeably. Examples of Material Material Cost Material cost refers to the expense incurred for materials used as…
Read articleUnderstanding Progress Payments, Retention Money, Escalation Clause, Contract Accounts
A progress payment is a partial payment made before a service or delivery is fully provided. These payments are typically issued to a contractor after completing a specific stage of work, allowing for a steady cash flow and cost recovery as the project advances. Progress payments are usually made in several installments. Retention money is…
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Features and Distinctions between Job and Contract Costing
Job costing is used for short-term, smaller-scale projects where costs are tracked individually for each job. It is commonly applied in manufacturing and service industries for custom or specialized orders. In contrast, contract costing applies to larger, long-term projects—typically in construction and engineering—where costs are tracked cumulatively over the contract’s duration. Key Differences between Job…
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Batch Costing: Features and Applications Explained
Batch costing is a type of specific order costing where articles are manufactured or processed simultaneously in predetermined lots, known as batches. Therefore, batch costing is also referred to as ‘lot costing.’ Each batch is treated as a separate cost unit, and costs are accumulated and ascertained for each batch. For example, if the total…
Read articleUnderstanding the Allocation of Overheads and Its Applications
What Are Overheads? Overheads, also known as indirect costs, are expenses that cannot be directly attributed to the production of a specific product or service. These include rent, utilities, salaries of support staff, insurance, and administrative costs. Overheads are essential for business operations but do not directly contribute to a specific cost unit or activity.…
Understanding Job Cost Cards
Job cost cards, also known as job cost sheets or job cost records, are documents that list all expenses incurred to complete a specific project. These expenses can be recorded both during and after the project, helping businesses monitor their financial performance and manage costs effectively. The primary purpose of job costing is to determine…
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