CCE Reviewer
CCE Reviewer
Group 3
I. Introduction
o Key Insight: Scheduling begins when project details are set, and computations on project
duration are conducted.
Definition: A structured approach to estimating and controlling costs for project components like
materials, labor, and equipment.
Stages:
3. Tender Stage: Updates to include contractor pricing after contracts are awarded.
Importance:
Components:
o Assigned responsibilities.
Why Schedule?
o Contractors: Determine completion dates, optimize cash flow, improve efficiency, and
substantiate delay claims.
o Owners: Assess feasibility, monitor progress, verify delays, and ensure timely financial
management.
Key Role: The Scheduler, who requires expertise in software, scheduling principles, and the
technical field.
Types of Schedules
o Identifies the longest task sequence (critical path) to determine project duration.
o Key Components:
o Probabilistic method using optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic time estimates to
calculate expected durations.
Definition: Process of estimating, planning, and managing material costs to align with project
timelines and budgets.
Benefits:
Factors:
Conclusion:
o Effective planning and scheduling are critical for timely and cost-efficient project
execution.
o Integration of cost planning and materials scheduling minimizes risks and enhances
decision-making.
Recommendations:
o Use project scheduling software and CPM/PERT methods for real-time adjustments.
Group 4
I. Introduction
Key Themes:
o Estimating and scheduling are vital for project success, ensuring cost-effectiveness and
timely completion.
o Precision in estimates and effective scheduling prevent project delays, budget overruns,
and quality issues.
Benefits of Scheduling:
Definition:
o Process of assigning specific tasks to skilled workers for efficient and safe execution.
Key Features:
Best Practices:
Importance:
Definition:
o Managing costs for subcontracted services, including labor, materials, and equipment.
Components:
Benefits:
Best Practices:
o Understand and negotiate critical contract clauses (e.g., delays, changes, force majeure).
Challenges:
Definition:
o Estimating and budgeting costs associated with equipment use, including purchase,
rental, and maintenance.
Importance:
Key Users:
Steps in Scheduling:
2. Sequence Activities:
5. Allocate Resources:
VI. Conclusion
Key Takeaways:
o Subcontractor and equipment cost scheduling ensure budget control and resource
optimization.
Critical Insight:
o Without proper scheduling and monitoring, projects face chaos and inefficiency.
VII. Recommendations
Group 5
I. Introduction
Definition:
o Cash flow represents the movement of money into and out of a construction project
during a specified period.
o Effective cash flow management ensures financial stability and uninterrupted project
operations.
Key Components:
Definition:
o A cash flow projection forecasts the expected cash inflows and outflows for a project
over time, helping predict future financial needs.
1. Start with Total Project Budget: Use the total cost of the project as the base.
2. Identify Job Costs to Date: Sum up the actual expenditures already made.
4. Allocate Remaining Budget Across the Schedule: Distribute projected costs over the
timeline of the project.
5. Apply Curves:
Best Practices:
o Prepare reports at various levels (trade, project, portfolio) for granular insights.
Significance:
Key Factors:
o Building Information Modeling (BIM): Leverage BIM for automated integration of time
and cost data.
o Risk Management: Analyze potential impacts of material cost fluctuations, delays, and
inaccuracies in measurements.
Practical Guidelines:
2. Cash Flow Distributions: Align with market conditions and avoid over-restrictive
assumptions.
Estimates future inflows/outflows using historical Uses current data to predict short-term
Definition
data and assumptions. cash movements.
Time
Longer periods (months/years). Shorter periods (weekly/monthly).
Horizon
Tools Historical data and financial modeling. Real-time data and predictive analytics.
V. Cash Receipts
Definition:
o Cash receipts document the inflow of cash from customers, boosting the company’s cash
balance.
Examples:
VI. Conclusion
Key Takeaways:
o Effective cash flow management is essential for the success of construction projects.
o Cash flow projections aid in anticipating financial needs, aligning funding strategies, and
ensuring timely resource availability.
o Incorporating risk analysis and leveraging modern tools like BIM enhances accuracy and
adaptability.
VII. Recommendations
1. Training: Provide project managers with training in cash flow management techniques.
2. Technology Integration: Use project management software for real-time cash flow tracking.
3. Regular Updates: Establish routine reviews to adjust projections based on changing project
dynamics.
6. Variance Monitoring: Track differences between projected and actual cash flow to refine future
forecasts.
7. Contingency Planning: Prepare for financial challenges with alternative funding or payment
strategies.
Group 6
Includes direct costs (materials, labor) and indirect costs (administrative, pre-operating).
2. Capital Investment
Definition: Funds required to initiate and complete a project, covering land, materials, labor, and
equipment.
Importance: Ensures project viability, attracts investors, and supports long-term asset creation.
Calculation Example:
o Land: $400,000
o Equipment: $150,000
o Working Capital: $75,000
Interest Payments:
Example Calculation:
o Principal: $100,000
o Term: 5 years
4. Pre-operating Costs
Definition: Costs incurred before the project starts, such as feasibility studies, permits, and
licenses.
Types:
Importance:
Definition: Costs not tied directly to physical construction but essential for project management.
Examples:
Importance:
Loans:
Recommendations:
Group 7
Definition:
Purpose:
Significance:
Key Components:
Steps to Prepare:
Common Mistakes:
Components:
1. Assets:
2. Liabilities:
Steps to Prepare:
Importance:
Definition:
o Policies and procedures for monitoring financial resources to ensure alignment with
business goals.
Key Financial Controls:
Objectives:
Conclusion:
o Cost accounting is vital for financial transparency, operational efficiency, and strategic
planning.
Recommendations:
Overview
This reviewer comprehensively covers key topics on Cost Accounting, including Accounting Ratios,
Horizontal and Vertical Analysis, and Cost Audit. The focus is on practical understanding, formula
applications, and the benefits of each concept, designed to ensure clarity and retention for examination
purposes.
1. Accounting Ratios
Definition:
Ratios analyze financial relationships within a company’s financial statements to provide insight
into performance, efficiency, and solvency.
1. Liquidity Ratios:
2. Profitability Ratios:
3. Leverage Ratios:
4. Efficiency Ratios:
A. Horizontal Analysis
Definition:
Evaluates financial statement changes over time by comparing historical data.
Steps:
2. Comparison Methods:
B. Vertical Analysis
Definition:
Analyzes financial statements by expressing each line item as a percentage of a base figure (e.g.,
total assets or gross sales).
Example:
If a company reports:
Use Compare changes across periods Identify proportional contributions within one period
3. Cost Audit
Definition:
A systematic review of cost records to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with
regulations.
Objectives:
Advantages:
1. To Management:
2. To Shareholders:
3. To Society:
4. To Government:
Facilitates fair pricing, supports trade disputes, and promotes industry efficiency.
Disadvantages:
Key Takeaways
1. Accounting Ratios:
Differentiate between analyzing trends over time (horizontal) and assessing proportional
contributions within a period (vertical).
3. Cost Audit:
3. Focus on Connections: Relate accounting ratios, analysis methods, and audits to one another for
a cohesive understanding.
4. Use Visual Aids: Charts or tables can simplify comparisons between horizontal and vertical
analysis.
Conclusion
By mastering these foundational principles, you will be equipped to assess financial health, optimize
resource usage, and make informed decisions. This reviewer serves as a concise yet comprehensive
guide to excel in your exam and practical applications of cost accounting.
Test Questionnaire for "CE 416 – Construction Cost Engineering"
Instruction: Identify the correct term based on the description. Write your answers on the space
provided.
Answers Key:
1. Gantt Chart
2. Audit
3. Critical Path
4. Quick Ratio
6. Income Statement
8. Bridge Financing
9. Workforce Allocation
Question:
1. This schedule type uses visual representations like bar charts to track tasks over time.
3. The longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the project duration in the Critical
Path Method.
4. The ratio that measures a company’s ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets.
5. A probabilistic scheduling method that calculates expected task durations based on optimistic,
most likely, and pessimistic estimates.
7. This phase of cost planning involves initial estimates based on basic project specifications.
8. Short-term loans with high interest rates used to fund construction projects.
9. The process of assigning tasks to skilled workers to ensure efficiency and safety.
10. The type of cost that includes legal services, permits, and feasibility studies incurred before
project execution.
True or False (10 points)
Instruction: Write "True" if the statement is correct and "False" if the statement is incorrect.
1. False – The Critical Path Method identifies the longest sequence of dependent tasks, not the
shortest.
2. True – Pre-operating costs include expenses like overtime labor and consulting fees.
3. True – A Work Breakdown Structure organizes tasks hierarchically for better clarity and
assignment.
4. False – Horizontal analysis compares financial data across time, not as a percentage of a base
figure.
6. True – Cash flow projections help anticipate financial needs and align funding strategies.
7. True – Manpower scheduling prevents inefficiencies like excessive overtime and optimizes costs.
8. False – Gantt charts are not the same as Activity on Arrow (AOA) diagrams; they are distinct
visual tools.
9. True – Administrative costs include salaries for managers and expenses like office utilities.
10. True – The quick ratio excludes inventory when assessing a company's liquidity.
Question:
1. The Critical Path Method identifies the shortest sequence of tasks in a project.
2. Pre-operating costs include overtime labor and consulting fees.
3. A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) organizes tasks hierarchically for clarity and responsibility
assignment.
4. Horizontal analysis evaluates financial statement changes by expressing items as a percentage
of a base figure.
5. PERT scheduling uses historical data to predict project timelines with absolute certainty.
6. Cash flow projections aid in anticipating financial needs and ensuring timely resource
availability.
7. Manpower scheduling prevents excessive overtime and optimizes labor costs.
8. Gantt charts are also known as Activity on Arrow (AOA) diagrams.
9. Administrative costs include salaries for project managers and office expenses.
10. The quick ratio excludes inventory when evaluating a company’s liquidity.
4. c. Direct costs
6. b. Project schedule
7. d. Long-term
Question:
1. Which of the following is a key benefit of project scheduling for contractors? a. Assessing project
feasibility
b. Improving cash flow
c. Ensuring financial transparency
d. Analyzing financial statements
2. The three-point estimation in PERT scheduling includes which of the following? a. Early, late, and
critical durations
b. Optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic durations
c. Linear, bell-shaped, and back-loaded curves
d. Total budget, job costs to date, and projected costs
3. What does the acronym "CPM" stand for? a. Cost Projection Management
b. Critical Path Method
c. Cash Planning Mechanism
d. Construction Project Metrics
4. What type of cost includes materials, labor, and equipment expenses? a. Indirect costs
b. Administrative costs
c. Direct costs
d. Fixed costs
5. What is the primary purpose of cash flow management? a. Identifying critical tasks
b. Ensuring financial stability
c. Organizing project schedules
d. Enhancing profitability ratios
6. Which type of schedule focuses on organizing tasks, timelines, and resources? a. Cost schedule
b. Project schedule
c. Material schedule
d. Subcontractor schedule
7. A cash flow projection typically forecasts inflows and outflows over what time horizon? a. Daily
b. Weekly
c. Monthly
d. Long-term
8. What does the "Debt-to-Equity Ratio" measure? a. A company’s efficiency in asset utilization
b. The proportion of company growth financed by debt
c. Liquidity for covering short-term liabilities
d. Profitability in converting revenue into profit
9. Which of the following are key users of equipment cost scheduling? a. Suppliers and contractors
b. Project managers and cost accountants
c. Labor unions and legal advisors
d. Shareholders and auditors
10. Which phase of cost planning includes contractor pricing after contracts are awarded? a. Tender
stage
b. Construction stage
c. Detailed design stage
d. Concept design stage
Instruction: Enumerate the required items. Write your answers on the space provided.
Key Answers:
o Current assets
o Non-current assets
o Current liabilities
o Non-current liabilities
o Shareholders’ equity
o Bell-shaped curve
o Linear curve
o Front-loaded curve
o Back-loaded curve
Question: