1. Identify the job: The first step in job order costing is to identify the specific job or project for which costs need to be tracked. This could be a custom order from a customer, a specific project within a company, or any other unique job that requires tracking of costs.
2. Estimate costs: Once the job has been identified, the next step is to estimate the costs associated with completing the job. This may include direct materials, direct labor, and overhead costs.
3. Track costs: As the job progresses, costs need to be tracked and recorded. This includes recording the actual costs of direct materials, direct labor, and overhead as they are incurred.
4. Allocate overhead: Overhead costs, such as rent, utilities, and depreciation, need to be allocated to the job based on a predetermined allocation method. This ensures that all costs associated with the job are properly accounted for.
5. Calculate total job cost: Once all costs have been tracked and allocated, the total cost of the job can be calculated by adding together the direct materials, direct labor, and allocated overhead costs.
6. Determine selling price: Finally, the selling price of the job can be determined by adding a markup to the total job cost. This markup is typically based on the desired profit margin for the job.
7. Analyze profitability: After the job is completed, it is important to analyze the profitability of the job to ensure that it met the desired profit margin. This analysis can help identify areas for improvement in future jobs.