The key difference between these methods lies in timing. The milestone method provides intermittent revenue recognition, while the percentage-of-completion method allows ongoing recognition. The completed contract method, on the other hand, postpones all recognition until the project's end.
Simply put, a contract comprises different provisions or terms that give the contracting parties rights and responsibilities. Contract terms create an obligation on one or all the parties; when a party doesn't comply with a term, there is a breach of contract.
FAR 16.306. It provides for two types of CPFF contracts: the Completion type, which has a “definite goal or target and specifies an end product,” and the Term type, which “obligates the contractor to devote a specified level of effort for a stated time period.”
It provides for two types of CPFF contracts: the Completion type, which has a “definite goal or target and specifies an end product,” and the Term type, which “obligates the contractor to devote a specified level of effort for a stated time period.”
Using the percentage of completion method, a contractor recognizes project income and expenses as the project progresses, usually on a monthly basis. In contrast with percentage of completion, the completed contract method is used to recognize project revenue and costs only when the contract is complete.