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Add/Edit Cost Code Descriptions

The Add/Edit Cost Code Descriptions Module step is used to define the specific job cost numbers and the descriptions you want to assign to these numbers to be used in your system. This step is very basic and analogous in many ways to defining the GL account numbers and descriptions you want to use in your general ledger. The job cost code structure consists of four segments (reading from left to right) referred to throughout the system as: Project, Job, Cost Code and Task. 

You may choose to use one or more of these four segments to create a unique job cost number based up the segment numbers and descriptions you assign. You do that by merely entering a number you want to assign to a segment (make sure it is not greater in digits than has been defined during initial setup) then entering a description you want to use to describe that specific number. 

For example, an electrical contractor may want to classify all remodeling projects separate from new construction projects, but still use all existing job numbers, cost codes and/or tasks. In that case, his office manager may decide to define 01 as a project code for all new construction jobs, and 02 as a project code for all remodeling jobs. A full blown job cost number like 02.1234.1000.100, for example, might mean something like 02=remodeling, 1234=wonderview estate job, 1000=prepartion, 100=estimate conduit requirements.

eTEK is very flexible but you will need to keep in mind the fundamental hierarchy of the four segments. Projects are the highest level and can consist of multiple jobs, each job can consist of multiple cost codes, and each cost code can consist of multiple tasks. You choose which of these segments you want to use starting at the highest level. It is possible to use just one or two of the segments, or all of them. That is up to you. But give some careful thought to how you would like to use each of the four segments and how you would like to number and describe them. Start by keeping things as simple to understand in your organization as possible. You can always add to your numbers and descriptions later as you go. You must do this step first so that you have projects, jobs, cost codes, and/or tasks already defined prior to setting up individual job cost records to use day to day.