by
Admin Admin
| Mar 19, 2020
Revenue recognition and accurate job costing adds to the complexities of construction accounting since typically every project is unique, and the cash flow depends on the nature of the business and the contract. Some jobs take a week, and others take years to complete. Some have upfront payments, and others have payments in installments throughout the project or after completion. Having a proficient team with the power to account and audit during a project is a must to run the business smoothly and help ensure profitability.
Revenue recognition in construction accounting depends on the nature and duration of the job, the expenses allocated, such as labour and materials from various places. Measuring these against revenues received by way of a controlled billing system providing different methods of revenue recognition is the type of detailed control and reporting often required by growing businesses.
The Cash vs Accrual Method
Many contractors like cash method offered in entry level products like QuickBooks for its simplicity, but it can also be the most inaccurate way of revenue recognition. Money is reported as income when received and as an expense when spent. Transactions are recorded only when the money goes in or out of an account therefore, control over the sub-ledger entries and as to which fiscal period or even fiscal year becomes difficult for companies managing long-term projects. There are no Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable when the Cash Method is used and hence no clear picture of the receivable assets and vendor liabilities. A cost incurred in December 2019 and paid in January 2020 is recorded as an expense for the fiscal year 2020. Likewise, payment received in 2020 for a project completed in 2019 is recorded as revenue in the 2020 Fiscal year. Without careful management, cash accounting can lead to inaccurate reporting of the financial condition of the business.
The Accrual Method
The accrual method includes accounts receivables and payables, and so provides a more accurate perspective on the financial conditions of the company. The firm records revenue or expenses when a transaction occurs rather than when payment is received or made. An invoice billed in 2019 but yet to receive payment will be recorded as a receivable and is accounted for and taxed in the fiscal year of 2019. Likewise, a bill in 2019 is reported and recorded as a liability on the day it's received, even if the payment would be made in 2020. The accrual method can often not be the most reliable method for contractors as it still doesn't precisely account for the unfinished part of the project.
Percentage of Completion Method
The percentage of completion method recognizes revenues and expenses as a portion of the work completed to date. The earned and unearned portions of a job are tracked separately. For example, a project lasting between 2019 and 2020, all costs incurred, and invoices made for the portion of the job completed in 2019 are reported and accounted for the fiscal year 2019. If any payments received for the part of the job to be done in 2020, this is tracked separately and accounted only after finishing that part of the job. The Percentage of Completion Method is the most commonly used for construction businesses due to matching that replicates the project’s timeline.
Completed Contract Method
The completed contract method can be used by contractors only when not exceeding a specific annual revenue and the contract can be completed within a specified period. Here, every expense and income are tracked but are accounted only on completing the project. For example, take a project that is managed between 2019 and 2020, all transactions made in the course of the job are accounted only on completing the project in 2020. This method can be suitable to postpone tax liabilities, but when several contracts finish all at once, there will be an extraordinary increase in revenue. The resulting balance sheet fluctuations can make managing the business challenging.
To make the math simple, let's consider a $100 job that's 30% complete. An upfront payment of $30 is received, and an invoice for another $30 is yet to be paid by the client. $5 in cost has been paid, and a $20 bill from the subcontractor is received. The project was sold with a 50% gross profit.
Cash Method
Revenue $30.00
Costs $5.00
Gross Profit $25.00
Transactions are accounted for only the received and paid payments.
Accrual Method
Revenue $60.00
Costs $25.00
Gross Profit $35.00
Transactions are accounted for the all the completed and yet to be completed payments.
The Percent of Completion Method
Revenue $30.00
Costs $15.00
Gross Profit $15.00
The transaction is accounted only for the percentage of the project completed, and the accurate cost is calculated with a 50% profit margin.
Completed Contract Method
Revenue $0.00
Costs $0.00
Gross Profit $0.00
No transaction is accounted for because the project is not over yet.
Conclusion
Revenue calculation for construction businesses is different than for other businesses. It is therefore imperative to have an accountant who understands construction projects and select an accounting software solution that provides multiple revenue recognition methods. Adagio Construction is one such accounting software, empowering mid-market construction accountants with all the features they need.