The Perfect Chart of Accounts for a Concrete & Paving Contractor
- Dany Ortega
- 28 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Running a concrete and paving business comes with its own set of challenges—from estimating job costs and tracking equipment usage to managing crews and subcontractors. One of the most overlooked—but absolutely essential—parts of managing your company’s financial health is having the right Chart of Accounts (COA).
A properly structured COA not only helps you stay compliant at tax time but also gives you accurate job costing, clearer financial insights, and better control over your cash flow. In this post, we’ll walk you through a tailor-made Chart of Accounts specifically designed for concrete and paving contractors.
Why Paving & Concrete Contractors Need a Tailored Chart of Accounts(COA)
Your COA is the backbone of your accounting system. It organizes all of your company’s financial data into categories, making it easier to track income and expenses, create reports, and file taxes. For concrete and paving contractors, a well-thought-out COA allows you to:
Track job-specific expenses
Analyze project profitability
Separate materials, labor, and overhead costs
Stay on top of loan and equipment depreciation
Prepare for audits or financing
Now let’s take a look at the ideal Chart of Accounts for your business.
Sample Chart of Accounts for a Concrete & Paving Contractor
Below is a suggested breakdown that works well with accounting software like QuickBooks:
Assets
1000 · Current Assets
1010 · Bank Accounts
  - 1011 · Checking Account
  - 1012 · Savings Account
1020 · Accounts Receivable
1030 · Retentions Receivable
1040 · Undeposited Funds
1050 · Prepaid Expenses
1060 · Inventory – Materials
1070 · Job Deposits Paid
1100 · Fixed Assets
1110 · Vehicles
1120 · Equipment (e.g., mixers, compactors)
1130 · Accumulated Depreciation – Equipment
1140 · Accumulated Depreciation – Vehicles
Liabilities
2000 · Current Liabilities
2010 · Accounts Payable
2020 · Credit Cards Payable
2030 · Sales Tax Payable
2040 · Accrued Payroll
2050 · Customer Deposits (Advances from Customers)
2100 · Long-Term Liabilities
2110 · Equipment Loans
2120 · Vehicle Loans
Equity
3000 · Owner's Equity
3010 · Owner’s Capital
3020 · Owner’s Draw
3030 · Retained Earnings
Income
4000 · Revenue
4010 · Concrete Work Revenue
4020 · Paving Work Revenue
4030 · Excavation & Site Prep Revenue
4040 · Change Orders / Extras
4050 · Equipment Rental Income (if applicable)
Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)
5000 · Direct Costs
5010 · Materials – Concrete
5020 · Materials – Asphalt
5030 · Materials – Gravel & Sand
5040 · Subcontractors
5050 · Job Labor – Direct
5060 · Equipment Rental (for job use)
5070 · Permits & Fees
5080 · Job Supplies
5090 · Fuel – Job Use
5100 · Waste Disposal
Expenses
6000 · Overhead Expenses
6010 · Salaries – Admin
6020 · Payroll Taxes
6030 · Workers Comp Insurance
6040 · General Liability Insurance
6050 · Vehicle Expenses – Fuel, Maintenance
6060 · Equipment Maintenance
6070 · Office Supplies
6080 · Rent
6090 · Utilities
6100 · Accounting & Legal
6110 · Software Subscriptions (e.g., QuickBooks, Procore)
6120 · Marketing & Advertising
6130 · Bank & Credit Card Fees
6140 · Travel & Meals
6150 · Continuing Education & Certifications
Other Income/Expense
7000 · Other Income
7010 · Interest Income
8000 · Other Expenses
8010 · Interest Expense – Loans
8020 · Penalties & Fines (if applicable)
✅ Final Thoughts
Having the right Chart of Accounts is like laying a strong foundation for your business—especially in construction. It improves budgeting, boosts profitability, and keeps you organized when it counts. If you're not sure how to implement this COA in your accounting software, or you want to customize it further, working with a bookkeeper who understands the construction industry is a smart investment.
Need help setting this up in QuickBooks Online or another accounting system? Reach out—we specialize in financial systems tailored to the construction industry.