Run a project and see its margin

1Start a project

Click Projects under Tables in the sidebar, then + New project. Type its name and save it. Progress claims and Daily log under Tools offer + New project too, and open the new project straight away.

A job joins a project through its Project field. Open the job, pick the project, and save. A quote, an invoice or a supplier invoice joins the same way, through the project named on it.

2Set the contract value and the budget

Open the project and click Financials. Contract value adds up the accepted quotes on the project, before tax. To use a figure from a signed contract instead, click the pencil beside Contract value, type it and click Save. Clear the box and save to go back to the quotes.

Under Budget, click Add budget line. Choose what the cost is for, such as Materials or Subcontractor, describe it and type the amount, then click Add. Each category is one bar on the chart.

3Put each cost in its category

Open a supplier invoice from Supplier invoices, link it to the project under Linked to, and choose its Cost category. The invoice then adds to that category's bar on the project.

An invoice with nothing chosen counts as Other. An invoice still waiting for somebody to check it counts once you mark it checked, and Financials says how many are waiting.

4Read the figures

Actual revenue is every invoice on the project that has been sent, before tax. Actual expense is every checked supplier invoice on it, before tax. Cost to complete is the budget less the actual expense, and turns red once the project is over budget.

Actual margin is revenue less expense, with its percentage of revenue in the ring. Budgeted margin is the contract value less the budget.

Choose This week, This month, All time or Custom above the cards to see revenue and costs for a period. The contract and the budget stay the same whatever you choose.

On the phone app, open the project and choose Financials from the section list at the top.