To guarantee that your construction project is finished on schedule and within your allocated budget, it is essential to comprehend the accounting process. Dealing with construction in progress accounting may be a difficult chore for a business owner, that is why in this article, we will thoroughly explain the construction work-in-progress accounting approach, its advantages, and how to record transactions using it.
Understanding the construction in progress accounting
The act of tracking and documenting the expenditures related to creating a new asset or enhancing an existing one is known as construction in progress (CIP) accounting. The building industry frequently uses this technique to follow the progress and expenses of a project from conception to end. In CIP accounting, each project or asset is given its own account, and all project-related costs are reflected there. The accountant controls each transaction and makes reports for investors on whether the project goes with a credit or debit balance.
To begin CIP accounting, a contractor must first determine the project’s total cost, including all material costs such as lumber, paint, hardware, and any subcontractor fees. Once this has been established, it must be tracked throughout the project by tracking invoices from vendors and suppliers as well as labor costs from employees or subcontractors. Additionally, it is important to track overhead expenses, such as insurance premiums or rent, associated with operating a business in general but related to a specific project.
Who uses construction in progress accounting?
Businesses engaged in massive projects such as the construction or expansion of warehouses, healthcare facilities, or retail stores can take advantage of this type of bookkeeping. It is also beneficial for these sectors:
- Manufacturing
- Aviation
- Aeronautics
- Laboratories
Companies that work on building projects are the primary users of CIP accounting. It includes construction companies, engineering firms, real estate firms, and any other business involved in constructing or remodeling the property. Government organizations that handle building projects, including municipalities or state departments, also employ construction in progress accounting.
Benefits of using CIP
There are several advantages to accounting integration for all business types. First of all, it helps to ensure that the business is not overspending on materials or labor. Some of the more notable benefits are:
- CIP accounting offers precise and current information about the project’s expenses. This information can be made to make decisions about the project, such as whether to increase or decrease the budget or adjust the project’s scope.
- It also aids in identifying possible problems with the project’s budget and schedule. Construction businesses can spot potential issues and take action to address them before they become significant concerns by monitoring the project’s expenses as it proceeds.
- It can significantly help construction companies maximize their financial management.
With accurate cost tracking, businesses can make well-thought-out decisions, such as when to invest in materials or expand their workforce.
Use case
The construction industry uses this approach as a way to keep track of the expenditures incurred while working on a project. It is possible to monitor the project’s total cost and the spending incurred as it moves forward.
CIP accounting tracks project expenses as they are incurred rather than after completion. Thanks to such methodology, correctly assessing project expenditures and making choices regarding its development is easy.
To better understand CIP accounting, consider the following example:
- A construction business is building a new office center. The company has set aside $1 million for the endeavor. As the project progresses, the business accrues expenditures for supplies, labor, and other expenses.
- The business uses CIP accounting to keep track of these expenses. The company creates a CIP account and deposits all project-related costs into this account. As the project develops, the firm adds the most recent payments to this account.
- The project’s final cost is determined by adding all the expenses that were tallied in the CIP account. The project’s budget is then contrasted with the total cost to see if it was finished within that limit.
To realize this type of accounting in practice, a company needs to record in the journal entry all costs incurred in each phase separately. This includes materials, labor, equipment rental fees, subcontractor payments, and other expenses that are related to each phase of the project.
As construction phases are completed, companies need to recognize any associated revenue as well as any profits or losses. They should also adjust their inventory accounts if necessary in order to reflect changes in materials costs due to different completion dates or scope changes during construction activities. Once the building is put into service, the accounts payable will be credited for their balance. Finally, the property should be listed as an asset on the company’s balance sheet.
Summing up
For various businesses, CIP accounting is a critical component of financial management. By tracking costs as the project progresses, a business can stay on top of its finances, plan for future projects and make decisions based on accurate data.
Business owners can ensure their construction projects are finished right on time and within budget by learning the fundamentals of CIP accounting, the advantages of employing this accounting technique, and how to record CIP accounting transactions. The organizations may enhance financial management and make better project decisions by avoiding common errors and routinely updating the CIP account.
