Step 1: Identifying the Core Needs of Job-Based Manufacturing:
Because job-based manufacturing produces highly unique items to order, standard cost parameters cannot be applied across the board. Every order has a distinct material and labor profile, requiring its own dedicated costing run.
Step 2: Stating the Primary Objective:
The central objective of Job Costing is to determine the exact cost and profit or loss associated with each individual job or order.
Step 3: Exploring Secondary Objectives:
Other key objectives of job costing include:
• Providing a detailed historical cost base to help managers prepare accurate price estimates for future, similar customer quotes.
• Comparing actual material and labor costs with initial estimates to detect inefficiencies or budget overruns in real time.
• Tracking the financial value of Work-in-Progress (WIP) on the balance sheet at the end of an accounting period.