Job Costing vs. Contract Costing: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 30, 2023
Job costing applies to short, unique productions (e.g., custom furniture), while contract costing is for larger, longer-term projects (e.g., construction).
Key Differences
Job costing is a system of assigning manufacturing costs to an individual product or batches of products, generally used in situations where each job is distinct and uniquely identifiable. On the other hand, contract costing, also known as project costing, is the tracking of costs associated with a specific contract with clients, especially relevant for large, long-term projects.
Job costing is essential for businesses that produce a wide variety of products in relatively small quantities, where the cost of each job needs to be independently ascertained. Contract costing is crucial for companies engaged in large projects, such as construction or manufacturing firms, where the entire contract is treated as a job, and costs are accumulated over a longer period.
In job costing, costs are recorded for each job separately, with a job being a small, uniquely identifiable unit of production. In contrast, contract costing involves a single, extensive and complex project that continues over different accounting periods, with costs being aggregated and monitored until the project's conclusion.
Job costing allows companies to track the costs associated with specific tasks or jobs, which can be very detailed, providing insights into the cost-effectiveness of production and helping in pricing. Contract costing tracks all costs tied to a particular contract, enabling businesses to maintain profitability and financial control over large-scale projects.
While job costing might include direct labor, materials, and overhead applied to a specific product, contract costing encompasses all costs, direct and indirect, incurred during the lifecycle of a contract, often requiring progress billings and cost control mechanisms due to the scale and duration of the projects involved.
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Comparison Chart
Scope
Individual products or small batches
Large, long-term projects
Duration
Short-term
Long-term
Type of Work
Customized, distinct jobs
Extensive projects, often construction
Cost Accumulation
Per job
Over the life of the contract
Industries Commonly Used
Manufacturing, print shops, furniture makers
Construction, heavy engineering, civil works
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Job Costing and Contract Costing Definitions
Job Costing
Tracks specific job expenses.
With job costing, we monitor the expenditure on materials and labor for each job.
Contract Costing
Facilitates progress billing.
With contract costing, we issue accurate progress billings to our client.
Job Costing
Helps in detailed cost analysis.
Job costing enables us to assess profitability at the job level.
Contract Costing
Used for extensive, long-term projects.
Due to the project's duration, contract costing is the suitable method here.
Job Costing
Used for unique, small quantity production.
Job costing is perfect for our bespoke furniture creations.
Contract Costing
Accumulating all costs related to a specific contract.
Contract costing is essential in our large-scale construction projects.
Job Costing
Assigning costs to individual units or batches.
Using job costing, the company accurately priced its custom orders.
Contract Costing
Necessary for financial control over large projects.
Contract costing keeps our mega project on budget and financially controlled.
Job Costing
Effective for inventory and cost control.
Job costing revealed the need to negotiate better rates for components to improve margins.
Contract Costing
Encompasses direct and indirect costs.
Contract costing allows us to account for all expenses, from labor to administrative costs.
FAQs
Can job costing be applied to mass production?
Typically, no, it’s intended for unique, custom products or small batches.
Can job costing be used for service industries?
Yes, job costing is used in service industries where services are distinct and separately chargeable.
What’s a key feature of contract costing?
It often involves progress billing, reflecting ongoing costs and stages of completion.
Can contract costing handle multiple projects?
Yes, but costs are monitored per contract, regardless of the number of projects.
How detailed is job costing?
Quite detailed; it breaks down costs per job for materials, labor, and overhead.
What’s the primary aim of job costing?
To ascertain the cost of individual jobs for pricing and profitability analysis.
How does job costing aid in pricing decisions?
By detailing individual job costs, it helps determine accurate and profitable pricing.
Why is contract costing significant in construction?
It allows tracking of all project costs, ensuring adherence to the budget and contract terms.
Does job costing consider overhead expenses?
Yes, overheads are typically allocated to jobs based on a consistent method.
Is contract costing suitable for short-term projects?
Generally, no, contract costing is designed for long-term, large-scale projects.
What industries prefer job costing?
Industries producing custom or low-volume goods, like bespoke artisans, small manufacturers.
Is contract costing complex?
It can be, given the scale, duration, and variety of costs involved in large projects.
Can job costing be used for every business?
It’s best suited for businesses with distinct, identifiable batches or jobs.
How are clients billed in contract costing?
Typically through progress billings, reflecting partial completions or milestones.
Is job costing time-consuming?
It can be, due to the detail required in tracking individual job costs.
Are indirect costs included in contract costing?
Yes, all direct and indirect costs related to a contract are included.
How often are costs reviewed in job costing?
Regularly, often at the completion of each job or task.
What are the challenges of contract costing?
It includes long-term cost tracking, change management, and progress billing complexities.
What's crucial for successful contract costing?
Accurate record-keeping, consistent cost monitoring, and effective change management.
Does contract costing require special software?
It often benefits from project management or accounting software due to its complexity.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
