The main goal of Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 606 is to create a similar revenue recognition policy and calculation across all industries. The construction industry, which has historically had its own guidance and industry practices, is no exception. Below are the first four steps as required by ASC 606:
- Identifying the contracts
- Identifying the performance obligations
- Determining the transaction price
- Allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations
Recognizing Revenue
Once you have completed the above, please continue reading for items that may affect the construction industry when finally recognizing revenue in step five:
1. Timing of Recognition
ASC 606 has two basic options for recognizing revenue once control has been transferred:
- over time or
- at a point in time.
In order to recognize revenue over time, one of the following criteria needs to be met:
- The customer receives and consumes the benefits provided by the seller’s performance as they perform.
- The seller’s performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced. For example, if you are constructing a building on the customer’s land, even if construction is stopped halfway through the project, the customer’s asset (land) has received value.
- The seller’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the seller, and the seller has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. For example, pre-fabricated wall panels are customized for a specific project and the contract stipulates once production starts costs are the customer’s responsibilities.
Before determining if a contract meets one of the above requirements, construction companies will need to understand when transferring control of the asset, as defined within ASC 606, occurs. It is not until control is transferred that revenue can be recognized. ASC 606 defines “control of an asset” as the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from, the asset. Control includes the ability to prevent other entities from directing the use of, and obtaining the benefits from an asset.
Examples of indicators that transfer of control has occurred include:
- An entity has a present right to payment for an asset.
- Customer has legal title to the asset.
- Physical possession of the asset has transferred.
- Customer has accepted the asset.
These concepts are easier to conceptualize when the end product is a tangible item, but when considered in relation to the construction of a building, parking lot, house or any component within a larger construction project it becomes more difficult. Often in these projects, the customer will not accept the asset until all punch list items have been completed.
2. Terminology
Percentage of completion and completed contract methods, in name, no longer exists. In essence, “billings in excess of costs” and “costs in excess of billings” will shift to the concepts of “contract liability” and “contract asset.” Instead of a percentage of completion, contractors will use a cost “input method” as described in ASC 606 when calculating the contract liability/asset. Although the actual math using the new input method will be nearly identical to the calculation used for percentage of completion, the path to this point will be different.
3. Change orders
Under ASC 606, the scope of a change order determines if it should be considered a separate contract or should be combined with the original contract. The determining factors in that decision are based on if the change order results in an addition of a distinct good or service and if that good or service reflects the standalone selling price.
4. Wasted materials
The accounting for wasted material was emphasized within ASC 606. If a construction company has wasted costs (purchased the wrong materials, had re-work due to error, poor job management, etc.) those costs are recognized immediately and not taken into account as a job cost. Therefore, this is not part of the cost input calculation when recognizing revenue over time.
5. High material costs
Based on the type of construction project, material costs can be the majority of the total job costs. ASC 606 requires construction companies to consider the realistic progress made on a job when determining if the material costs can be included in the cost input method calculation.
Example – If a $500,000 job includes a $300,000 generator and on day one of the job the generator is purchased, the calculation would exclude the $300,000 in costs and in contract value when completing the cost input calculation.
Questions about revenue recognition?
Even with nearly a decade of warnings, revenue recognition has arrived quickly and is now requiring the attention of construction companies. Without careful planning and reviewing of contracts, revenue streams could unintentionally change.
Do you understand the impact of the new accounting standard on your construction company?
