Job Cost Logbooks

Setting up Logbooks

Some of your payments may cover several different jobs, and several different construction items.

NOTE-- In 2000, MacNail was replaced by Goldenseal construction accounting software. Goldenseal is an integrated program that includes general accounting, job costing, payroll and project billing, plus estimating and other features. It uses similar records for job costing.

In order to produce high-accuracy job costing, the MacNail construction accounting software includes special Logbooks that let you handle costs in more detail than is possible through the Ledgers.

The Logbooks are also useful for generating payroll and accounts payable reports. You can track your costs in the Logbooks, and have them posted automatically to one of the Checkbook Ledgers.

The MacNail construction management software includes four different Logbooks--the Labor Log, the Material Log, the Subcontractor Log, and the Misc Log. You will use these files to keep track of your construction costs. You can use any or all of the Logbooks, or you can do some or all of your job costing directly from the Checkbook Ledgers. See page 52 for help in deciding which accounting files to use.

For this tutorial, we will work with the Sample Logbooks. These are the 'main' accounting files--the files that will be used if no other accounting files have been specified. Later on, you will create your own accounting files and designate a 'main' file for each of the logbook types that you use.