Cost Type and Cost Element Configuration
SyteLine's job costing engine relies on cost types defined in the Cost Types form (Costing > Cost Types) and mapped to general ledger accounts through the Accounts form. Each cost element, material, labor, fixed overhead, variable overhead, and outside process, requires a cost type record that controls how transactions post to both the job ledger and the GL. The JobCost IDO aggregates these elements into a total job cost that drives WIP balances and variance calculations upon job close.
- Define cost types for each element (M=Material, L=Labor, F=Fixed OH, V=Variable OH, O=Outside) in Cost Types form
- Map each cost type to GL accounts using the Accounts form under Costing > Chart of Accounts assignment
- Configure labor cost rates in Work Centers form linking to cost type L for direct labor absorption
- Set overhead absorption rates per work center using the Overhead Rates form (fixed and variable split)
- Enable outside processing cost tracking by linking PO receipts to job operations via the SubcontractPO IDO
Job Transaction Posting and WIP Tracking
Every material issue, labor posting, and overhead absorption generates a transaction record in the SLJobTrans table that debits WIP and credits the source account. The Job Transactions form displays real-time cost accumulation per job, broken down by cost element. SyteLine's posting logic uses the job's production code to determine which GL accounts are affected, so the Production Codes form must have correct account assignments for WIP, COGS, and variance accounts before any jobs are released.
- Configure production codes in Production Codes form with WIP, COGS, Scrap, and Variance GL accounts
- Verify material issues post through the Job Material Transactions IDO with correct unit cost from item costing
- Set up labor posting rules in the Shift Configuration and Pay Rate tables for accurate labor cost capture
- Enable automatic overhead absorption on labor postings by configuring the overhead rate link in work center setup
- Use the Job Cost Detail report (SLJobCostRpt) to validate posting accuracy before closing jobs
Job Close, Variance Analysis, and Reporting
Closing a job in SyteLine triggers the variance calculation engine that compares actual costs accumulated in SLJobTrans against standard costs defined on the item or estimated costs on the job estimate. The resulting variances, material price, material usage, labor rate, labor efficiency, and overhead spending, post to the variance accounts defined in the production code. Running the Close Job utility (Jobs > Close Jobs) with the correct cost method ensures WIP is fully relieved and variances are recognized in the correct accounting period.
- Run Close Job utility from Jobs > Close Jobs, selecting actual vs. standard cost method for variance treatment
- Review material variance breakdown: price variance (purchase cost vs. standard) and usage variance (quantity consumed vs. BOM)
- Analyze labor variances using the Job Cost Variance report filtered by work center and operation sequence
- Configure the Job Profitability report in SyteLine Report Builder to compare estimated vs. actual cost by job
- Schedule the WIP Reconciliation report monthly to verify SLJobTrans totals match GL WIP account balances
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SyteLine Job Cost Estimate Calculator
Estimate the unit cost of a job from setup hours, run time, labor and machine rates, material and scrap, and see how batch size moves cost per piece.
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