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Construction glossary
Construction Glossary •

Percent Complete Method

What is the percentage-of-completion method?

The percentage-of-completion method is an accounting method used in the construction industry to recognize revenue and expenses for long-term projects as they progress—rather than waiting until the project is completed. Under the POC method, a contractor or subcontractor estimates the total contract revenue, total contract costs, and the percentage of work completed during a specific accounting period.

Revenue is recognized based on the percentage of work completed multiplied by the total estimated contract revenue. Expenses are recognized based on the percentage of work completed multiplied by the total estimated contract costs. This method aims to provide a more accurate representation of a construction project's financial performance over its duration rather than recognizing all revenue and expenses at the end.

For subcontractors and their accounting teams, understanding the POC method is crucial for three reasons:

  1. It directly impacts their revenue recognition and financial reporting, enabling them to assess profitability throughout project lifecycles. 
  2. It affects their cash flow projections and management, as progress payments are typically tied to the POC. 
  3. Understanding this method ensures compliance with accounting standards and regulations, minimizing the risk of audits or penalties.

Siteline supports the POC method, ensuring accurate financial reporting and cash flow management. With Siteline, you can:

  • Generate custom pay applications using real-time POC calculations
  • Integrate with general contractor (GC) payment portals to ensure timely and accurate submissions
  • Gain real-time insights into project financials with intuitive dashboards
  • Centralize all documentation for improved field-to-office collaboration

Book a demo today to discover how Siteline can enhance your accounting processes, strengthen your cash flow, and ultimately contribute to your company's financial success.

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Other construction terms

Long-Term Assets (or Noncurrent Assets)

What are Long-term Assets (Noncurrent Assets)?

Long-term assets, also known as noncurrent assets, are significant for the construction industry because they represent valuable resources that companies expect to benefit from over a future period exceeding one year. In the context of the construction sector, long-term assets can be physical properties like buildings, land, heavy machinery, and equipment used for construction work. They also involve intangible assets such as patents, trademarks, or contracts that provide long-term value. These assets play a vital role in the industry as they are not intended for immediate sale but are used over time to generate income. Depreciation or amortization is applied to such assets reflecting their usage and wear and tear over time. The accurate recording and appreciation of these assets can significantly impact the financial analysis and planning within the construction industry.

Cash Flows Statement

What is a Cash Flows Statement?

A Cash Flows Statement, specifically in the construction industry, serves as a financial document that provides a detailed summary of a company's cash inflows and outflows over a certain period. This statement plays a crucial role in understanding the liquidity and solvency of a construction company as it helps track where the funds originate and where they get spent. It is segmented into three elements: operating activities (day-to-day operations of the construction business), investing activities (acquisition or disposal of assets), and financing activities (transactions with owners or lenders). It provides invaluable information for contractors, investors, and stakeholders, enabling them to scrutinize the financial health, operational efficiency, and investment potential of the construction company.

G703

What is a G703?

A G703 is a continuation sheet used in the construction industry. It's part of the AIA (American Institute of Architects) document set for contract documents. The G703 form includes a schedule of values listing portions of the work, scheduled values, work completed, materials stored, total completed and stored, percentage of work completed, balance to finish, and the amount of change orders. Hence, it is primarily used for breaking down the contract sum into portions of work in accordance with a schedule of values prepared by the contractor. It provides a running total of completed work and can be updated as work progresses.

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