Job Costing Feedback-- Setup

NOTE-- We retired the MacNail estimating program in 2000, and replaced it with Goldenseal construction estimating software. There are still a significant number of die-hard MacNail users, so we keep the manuals online for them! Goldenseal is an integrated program that also includes accounting, scheduling and contract writing. Goldenseal also includes detailed job costing.

Preparing the Cost Control sheet

Before using a Cost Control worksheet for cost feedback, it's a good idea to check it over carefully. You certainly don't want careless data entry errors to affect your permanent unit prices!

Look for the following potential problems:

1. Make sure that all costs have been entered in the Ledgers and Logs, and that they've been posted to the Cost Control worksheet.

HINT: Use the Query Box in each Accounting worksheet-- type the project number into the criteria, and make sure that the 'total amount paid' and the 'cost control total' are the same.

2. Make sure that the 'percent done' columns in the Cost Control worksheet are filled out accurately for each cost category.

3. Double-check the estimated and actual numbers in the Cost Control worksheet, and investigate any items that don't seem to be correct. You may even need to go back and check your original cost entries in the Ledgers and Logs. If necessary, 'transfer' costs by adding to one cost category and subtracting the same amount from another.

4. If any disasters or major problems happened during the project, make sure they were treated as contingencies rather than as regular job costs, when you entered costs into The MacNail construction accounting software.

5. If you've checked both 'use subcategories' and 'include subcontractors' under Feedback Options, check carefully to make sure you've distributed subcontractor costs fairly among each subcategory, even if the sub's invoices weren't itemized.