Job costing is used for short-term, smaller-scale projects with distinct costs for each job, common in manufacturing or services. In contrast, contract costing is for larger, long-term projects, like construction or civil engineering, where costs are tracked over the life of an extensive contract.
Examples of Contract Costing A bridge is needed over a river at a particular site, and a client gives a contractor this assignment. A contractor opens separate accounts for each contract and numbers them separately to identify any profit or loss made at each contract.