Author, Matt Gaynor, Director of Surety, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
When meeting with new contractors looking to qualify for increased bonding capacity, one of the first items generally discussed is the work-in-progress Schedule (WIP). Understandably, the balance sheet and profit & loss statement get the most attention when compiling financial information for the bond company, but the WIP, whether on a quarterly or six month basis, allows the bond company to gauge how well the contractor has estimated their projects and how conservative they have been on a project’s profitability. Preparation of an accurate work in progress schedule is the only way to gauge the true profitability of the company.