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Introduction to

CONSTRUCTION AUDITING

Presented by
Bob McDonald
Jefferson Wells International
Our Purpose - an Overview
Terms
Types of contracts
Reasons for auditing construction projects
Understand the construction project life cycle
Management of construction projects
Selecting projects for audit
Audit steps and timing
Contractor Billing Overview

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Ground Rules
None
When you have a question ASK!

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Terms
Architect & A&E Consumables,
AIA Expendables & Small
Asset Allocation Study Tools
Backcharges Cost
Change order, extra Crafts & Trades
work & Claim Design Builder
Contractor, CM, GC Fast Track
Construction General Conditions
engineering
Labor
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Terms
Materials Subsistence
Owner Tax abatement
OSHA Turn Key
Retainage Value Engineering
Sales & Use Taxes More Terms See RS
Site Means Company 800
334 3509 Dictionary
Shared savings
Subcontractor

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Types of Contracts
Lump Sum, Fixed Cost, Stipulated Sum
Cost Plus
Cost Plus with Fixed or Percentage Fee
Cost Plus with Guaranteed Max
Cost Plus with GMAX & Shared Savings
Unit Price
Time & Material

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Why audit construction projects?
Top management is concerned and exposed
Construction projects are costly
Delays can result in lost market opportunity
Provides monitoring not available
elsewhere
Provides a means of keeping projects on
track, or gets them back on track quickly

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Goals of a Construction Audit
Identify Cost Avoidance Opportunities
Ensure Controls Are Developed &
Maintained
Owner
Contractor
Identify Overcharges/Undercharges
Avoid Litigation

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Construction Life Cycle
Planning
Conception
Design
Contracting
Construction
Close-out

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How are construction projects
managed?
Inside or Outside Project Manager
Company Officer
Executive Committee
Architect

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Owners Project Management
Team
Project Manager and/or Owners Representative
Purchasing
Legal
Contract Administration
Finance & Accounting
Auditing
Tax (consult)
Risk Management (consult) - OCIP

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External Organizations
Architect
Engineering
Construction Manager
General Contractor
Owners Representative
Subcontractors
Testing
Survey

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Typical Project Organization
OW NER

A R C H IT E C T

G ENERAL CO NTRACTO R

SU BC O N TR AC TO R SUBCO NTRACTO R SU BC O N TR AC TO R

S U B -S U B C O N T R A C T O R

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Alternate Project Organization
OW NER

A R C H IT E C T G EN ER AL C O N TR AC TO R

SU BC O N TR AC TO R SU BC O N TR AC TO R SU BC O N TR AC TO R

S U B -S U B C O N T R A C T O R

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Alternate Project Organization

O wner

A r c h it e c t G e n e r a l C o ln t r a c t o r T & E F ir m

E n g in e e r S u b c o n tra c tro S u b c o n tra c to r S u b c o n tra c to r

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Alternate Project Organization
O w n e r a s G e n e ra l C o n tra c to r

O wner

A rc h i t e c t T ra d e C o n tra c to r T ra d e C o n tra c to r T ra d e C o n tra c to r T e s ti n g M a te ri a l m a n

D e s ig n E n g in e e r S u b c o n tra c to r

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Alternate Project Organization
O w n e r w it h fu ll s u p p o r t

E x e c u t iv e

O w n e r 's P r o je c t T e a m

O u t s id e C o u n s e l O w n e rs R e p

O u t s id e A u d it

A r c h it e c t C o n s t r u c t io n M a n a g e r G e n e ra l C o n tra c to r

D e s ig n E n g in e e r T e s t in g S u b c o n tra c to r M a t e r ia lm a n

S u b -s u b c o n tra c to r

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What is the best organization?
All types work
Use the one that suits your organization

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How should projects be selected
for audit?
Size ($ value & physical size)
Type of contract
Cost Plus & T&M versus Lump Sum
Shared Savings Features
High profile or high risk projects
Experience of Owners Representative
Experience with the General Contractor

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Contract Risk
Cost Plus
Labor
Rates & Fringes
Subsistence
Uncompensated overtime
Not to exceed limits ignored
Travel & reimbursable
Union rates
Ghosts

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Contract Risk
Cost Plus
Materials
Trade & other discounts
Excessive material
Scrap & returns
Sources
Rework

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Contract Risk
Cost Plus
Equipment
Rent to own
Rental exceeds purchase price
Excess damage costs
Sweetheart deals
Taxes on fuel
Equipment not on job
Rental rebates not credited

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Contract Risk
Cost Plus
Insurance
Performance bond
Home office charges
Permits & licenses
Fines
Mathematical errors

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Contract Risk T & M
Use of incorrect labor costs
Use of incorrect material mark ups
See Cost Plus

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Contract Risks
Stipulated Sum, Lump Sum or Fixed Fee
Materials outside specification
Quantities not installed
Improper construction methods
Change orders in original bid
Owner supplied material not credited
Insurance not purchased
Change orders not costed correctly

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Contract Risks
Lump Sum or Fixed Fee
Front End or Top Loading
Bonds not obtained
Unauthorized subcontractors used
Tax errors
Contract work performed by owners
employees
Services not provided

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Unit Price
Erroneous estimates
Mobilization/demobilization
Improper measuring/quantity verification

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Recommended Contract Type
Cost Plus
Guaranteed Max
Shared Savings Feature

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Elements of a typical
construction audit program
Bid Review (Optional)
Contract Review
Control Assessment
Contractor Billing Tests - Progress Billings
Labor
Materials
Equipment (Contractor owned & rented)
Subcontractor charges
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Elements of a typical
construction audit program
Contractor Billing Tests (continued)
Permits and licenses
Miscellaneous charges (small tools &
consumables)
Overhead charges
Contractor fee
Retainage calculation
Performance bond & insurance
Home office charges

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Elements of a typical
construction audit program
Contractor Billing Tests (continued)
Physical inspection and review of engineering
inspection reports
Relocation & travel
Control Verification
Financial Review
Lead schedules
Receivables
Payables
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Elements of a typical
construction audit program
Financial Review (continued)
Construction in Process (CIP)
Fixed Assets

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Audit reports
Bid Review
Contract Review
Trip Reports
Final Report

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What should be contained in trip
reports?
Tailor to the organization
Typical trip report
Summary
Comments
Issues Requiring Follow-up & Party
Responsible
Visit Schedule

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Auditor Selection
Internal
Train Your Own
Hire an Experienced Auditor
External
Public Accounting Firms
Construction Auditing Firms

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Change Orders
Change Orders
Extra Work
Claims

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Change Order Template
Contract: Change Order # Bulletin #
Scope of Change: Line Item #
Drawing Material Labor
Sheet # Description Quantity Unit Price U/M Cost Hrs/Unit Unit Hours
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Total material NIC Sales & Use Tax - Total Labor Hours -
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Change Order Template
LABOR & BURDEN COSTS
Labor Cost per Hour - Ave
Labor Hours Estimated -
Estimated Field Labor Cost -
Supervision Percentage of Field Labor -
Subtotal for Field Labor -
Add for Payroll Taxes -
Add for Insurance -
Add for benefits -
Project Manager @ (No. Hours) x Hourly Rate -
Engineering @ (No. Hours) x Hourly Rate -
Total Direct Labor Costs -
Add (%) for Fee -
Total Labor Costs -
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Change Order Template
MATERIAL COSTS FROM DETAIL
Material Costs from Detail -
Sundry Material @ % Material Cost 0%
Subtotal Material Costs -
Small Tools @ % of Materials 0%
Freight on Material @ % of Materials 0%
Sales & Use Tax on Materials @ % 0%
Fuel for Rental Equipment
Rental Equipment
Total Other Direct Costs
Add % for Fee
Total Material & Equipment -

SUBCONTRACT COSTS
Subcontractor
Net Subcontractor Costs -
Fee @ % of Subcontractor Costs -
Total Subcontractor Costs -

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Change Order Template
Total Labor Costs -
Total Material & Equipment -
Total Subcontractor Costs -
RECAP OF TOTAL COSTS
Labor & Burden Costs -
Material & Equipment Costs -
Subcontract Costs -
Total Change Order Proposal -

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Typical Findings
Defective Pricing in COs
Unauthorized Items Billed
Home office charges
Other
Labor Overcharges
Workers Comp Rates
FUI/SUI
Materials Not Used on Job
General Conditions
G/L Insurance Experience Modifiers
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Typical Findings
Duplicate Charges
Equipment Billed Not in Use
Bonds not purchased
Backcharges not accomplished
Scrap not Credited
Unauthorized Substitution of Materials
Unapproved Methods

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Which Types of Contracts and Projects
Should be Audited?
All Types

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When Should Construction
Projects be Audited?
Begin at Planning
Concurrently Throughout the Project
Closeout

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Jefferson Wells Approach
1. Contract Analysis
2. Blueprint the project organization
3. Determine the risks
4. Develop the Work Plan
5. Initial Report
contract analysis, recommend improvements
project management, recommend controls
6. Conduct the engagement
Verify charges
Monitor controls
7. Update meetings
8. Complete the planned work and add other tests deemed necessary
9. Final Report

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Contract Analysis
What to look for
Type of contract
Complete?
Executed?
All exhibits & attachments?
Financial Terms and Conditions
Right-to-audit
Change order/extra work/claims
General Conditions

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Work Plan
Select tests from Master Audit Program
Add other tests based on analysis of this
project

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What does a contractor billing
look like?
See Sample G702 and G703
Certification by Contractor & by Architect

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Construction Auditing
Questions and Answers
Call Bob McDonald @ Jefferson Wells
International 216 664 5600 Fax 216 664
5606 or email
bob_mcdonald@jeffersonwells.com

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