Bookkeeping for Construction Companies: The Ultimate Guide

General accounting requires people to use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as does construction accounting. You need to have accurate bookkeeping not just for the sake of taxes and potential audits, but to monitor your cash flow and ensure you’re being compliant and profitable. By collaborating with them, you can free up your time and resources to focus on growing your business while they manage the financial aspects with precision and accuracy. Bridgit Bench is the #1 workforce planning software built for the construction industry. Our mission is simple — help contractors streamline operations and navigate workforce planning complexities.

• This approach requires careful tracking of the project’s progress and accurate estimation of costs to succeed.
• By automating these processes, you can reduce the risk of errors and minimize duplication of effort, saving you time and money in the long run.
• There are several factors that distinguish bookkeeping in construction from other industries.
• You’ll also need to take into consideration things like taxes, travel pay, and union rates.

Tip 2: Use job costing to manage project costs and general business ledgers

Projects like government-funded projects require you to pay a prevailing wage, a minimum hourly rate that’s typically higher and determined by each state’s Department of Labor. Paying any lower than what’s legally mandated can result in penalties—and even jail time. While bookkeeping in the construction industry can be challenging due to its many considerations, it’s an essential part of successfully running a construction firm.

• Gain full visibility of inventory, plant and fixed assets so financial professionals have a clear picture that helps businesses maintain cashflow.
• He has earned a finance undergraduate degree, the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 award, and Arizona’s 35 under 35 award.
• When you need to invoice your client, you can easily do so with just a few clicks from your project dashboard.
• Alternatively, you can talk with other business owners and ask if they can recommend a certified accountant.
• So, construction accounting uses two main types of Revenue Recognition approach – Percentage of Completion (POC) and Completed Contract.
• This section will cover the fundamentals of bookkeeping for construction companies, including accounting methods, chart of accounts, and job costing essentials.
• The financial capabilities of Access Coins are strongly tied to not only financial, but asset management.

Contract Revenue Recognition

• Construction bookkeeping stands apart due to the industry’s complexity and project-based nature.
• A construction bookkeeper plays a vital role in managing financial data for construction projects.
• Regular reconciliation also prevents potential issues with vendors, clients, or even tax authorities, and is an integral part of maintaining proper construction bookkeeping.
• Replace paper records with a digital capturing system which enables invoices, GRN and more to be stored compliantly with no time wasted on administration.

Construction bookkeeping presents unique challenges that can complicate financial management. Understanding these hurdles and how to address them can significantly improve accuracy and efficiency. Before choosing a bookkeeping software, ask if they offer a free trial and use that time to get familiar with the way it works. On the other hand, if it’s super easy to use but doesn’t provide the flexibility you need, you should consider trying a different one.

Control cash flow with construction accounting software

Equipment costs include renting or purchasing machinery, vehicles, or other specialized tools needed during the project. Permits are required for some types https://azbigmedia.com/real-estate/commercial-real-estate/construction/how-to-leverage-construction-bookkeeping-to-streamline-financial-control/ of work and often come with fees, so it’s important to factor these into the budget. When embarking on a project, it’s important to break down the costs into manageable categories to ensure the budget is well-managed.

Withholding retainers can further delay payment, which is why it’s important to accurately track costs and have funds available for shorter pay periods. Payment scheduling and collection are subject to different circumstances in the construction industry, making proper bookkeeping essential. Under POC, revenue is recognized and the expenses are reported based on the percentage of work completed on a project. If 20% of the construction project is ready, the company recognizes 20% of the total contract value as revenue. Traditional accounting construction bookkeeping relies on the general ledger (G/L) to track all financial transactions. This is the standard method of double-entry bookkeeping, according to which all transactions are in separate accounts (revenues, expenses, etc.).