Question

There are 2 basic types of contracts: the fixed-price contract and the cost-plus contract. Each has several common variations. It is not unusual for any specific contract to have special terms and agreements, so the basic contract is just the starting point. The project manager is most interested in the terms that define and help to control costs, schedule, and quality.

Among the different types of contracts, which contracts do you think would be easiest for ADC to manage, and why? Which contracts would be the most difficult for ADC to manage, and why?

Examples of the contract types include the following:

• Firm fixed price
• Fixed price with targets
• Fixed price at cost
• Time and materials
• Cost sharing
• Cost plus

Answer 1

1. Types of Contracts

A Construction Contract is any contract which is entered into specifically for construction of an asset or a combination of assets that are closely inter-linked or inter-dependent w.r.t. their technology/design/function or the nature of their ultimate purpose or use.

A. Fixed Price Contract

A contract in which the contractor agrees to a fixed contract price. In some cases, there may be an element of cost escalation clause in the contract which is mutually agreed to between the parties.

For example, the parties agree to include a clause in the contract for adjusting the Contract price on the basis of an increase in the cost of raw materials.

B. Cost-plus Contract

A contract in which the contractor is reimbursed for costs incurred or agreed costs, plus a percentage of these costs of a fixed fee.

2. Combining and Segmenting of Construction Contracts

I. Combining of Construction contracts – A group of contracts, either with one or more customers, shall be considered as a single construction contract when all the contracts are negotiated as a single package, are inter-linked and form part of a single project and are performed in a continuous sequence. F

or example, a contract for construction of three similar buildings (similar in all aspects) on a single plot negotiated all at once.

II. Segmenting of Construction contracts – Where a contract includes more than one asset, the construction of each asset should be treated as a separate construction contract when separate proposals have been given for each asset, each asset has been separately negotiated and the costs and revenues of each asset can be identified separately.

For example, a contract for construction of three different buildings on the same plot with different specifications and each building is separately negotiated with the contractor.

3. Revenue from a Contract

The revenue from a contract includes the following to the extent it is probable of generating revenue and is measurable:

i. The initial amount of revenue agreed in the contract;

ii. Claims and incentives on account of variations in contract work;

4. Costs of a Contract

The cost of a contract includes the following:

i. Directly related costs that to the specific contract

ii. Costs which are generally attributable and allocated to the contract activities

iii. Other costs which are specifically chargeable to the customer under the terms of the contract

5. Recognition of Revenue and Cost from a Contract

Where the result or outcome of any contract for construction can be projected, the related contract revenue and contract costs shall be recognized by taking into account the stage of completion of such contract. Expected losses shall be recognized immediately as expenses.

I. In case of a fixed price contract, the outcome can be estimated in a reliable manner when all the following conditions are satisfied:

i. The entire revenue from a contract can be reliably measured

ii. It is apparent that the economic benefits of such contract will flow to the organization

iii. Both contract costs and stage of completion can be measured

iv. Contract costs can be clearly identified for a comparison between actual costs and prior estimates

II. In case of a cost-plus contract, the outcome can be estimated in a reliable manner when all the following conditions are satisfied:

i. It is probable that economic benefits of the contract will flow to the organization

ii. Contract costs attributable to the contract can be identified and measured clearly

III. Percentage of completion method – This method defines the recognition of revenue and cost taking into account the stage of completion of a contract. Under this method, revenue and cost are recognized in the statement of profit and loss in the accounting periods in which the work is performed.

IV. Contract work-in-progress – A contractor may incur costs that relate to future activity in a contract. Such costs are recognized as an asset if it is probable that they will be recovered.

6. Determination of the stage of completion

The stage of completion of a contract may be determined in different ways. Depending on the nature of the contract, the methods may include:

I. The proportion of contract cost incurred w.r.t. the total estimated cost of contract; (for example: if the total cost of the contract is Rs. 30 lakhs and the cost incurred till date is Rs. 15 lakhs, the stage of completion is regarded as 50% complete i.e. 15 lakhs / 30 lakhs)

II. Surveys of work performed; (for example: in a contract for construction of a bridge, the site inspector can do a survey and with regards to the technicalities of the project, inform how much work has been completed)

III. Completion of a physical proportion of contract work (for example: in a contract for construction of a five storey building, if three stories are complete, the stage of completion for the same is regarded as 60% i.e. 3 stories/5 stories)

When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated, the revenue and cost should be recognized only to the extent of contract costs incurred whose recovery is probable.

7. Recognition of Expected Losses

In a situation where it is expected that the total contract costs will exceed total revenue from such contract, the expected losses should be immediately recognized as expenses. The number of such losses shall be determined irrespective of the following:

i. The work has commenced on the contract or not

ii. The stage of completion

iii. The number of profits expected to arise on other contracts which are segmented as explained above

8. Disclosures required in financial statements

An organization should disclose:

i. Contract revenue recognized during the accounting period

ii. The methods used to determine the contract revenue recognized in the period

iii. The methods used to determine the stage of completion of contracts in progress

Following disclosures w.r.t. contracts in progress shall also be given at the reporting date:

i. An aggregate cost incurred and net profits recognized

ii. The amount received as advances

iii. The amount kept retentions

Note:

Advances are amounts received by the contractor before the related work is performed.

Retention is such amounts which are paid only after satisfying the conditions specified in the contract for payment of such amounts.

An organization should present:

i. The gross amount due from customers for contract work as an asset;

ii. The gross amount due to customers for contract work as a liability.

9. Major Differences between Ind AS (IAS) 11 and AS 7

As per Ind AS (IAS) 11	As per AS 7
No mention of borrowing costs specifically	Specifically includes borrowing costs under expenses
Requires contract revenue to be measured at fair value of the consideration received/receivable	Requires contract revenue recognition at a value of the consideration received/receivable
Deals with Service Concession Arrangements which is in respect of infrastructure projects on a build-operate-transfer pattern between a public and private enterprise	Does not deal with Service Concession Arrangements

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