Contracting & progress certificates — in one system
From the BOQ to measurement to the certificate — Zemam runs the full contracting cycle, computes the net due with its retention, advance, and VAT, and shows each project's profit straight from the ledger.
Each project's profit — from the books, not a guess
Every project has its own cost center. Tag a purchase invoice or a cash voucher to the project and its cost lands there, while contracting revenue is attributed to the project automatically from its certificate. You run the project's P&L straight from the ledger: each project's direct margin on its own — not just company-wide profit.
Bill of quantities (BOQ)
Record the contract items with their agreed quantities and unit prices. This schedule is the reference every certificate is measured against, so no one exceeds the contracted quantities or prices.
Measurements — what was actually executed
Record the quantities executed on site per item, and the system tracks cumulative execution. The measurement is what each certificate is built on, so every claim is tied to real work.
The progress certificate — fully computed
Period work value = (cumulative executed + materials) − prior certificates. Then VAT on the work value, then retention, advance recovery, and penalties are withheld — down to the net amount due. All computed automatically.
The client advance and its recovery
Receive the client advance into the Contract Advances account, and the system recovers it gradually from each certificate at the agreed rate — without forgetting it or computing it by hand.
Retention withholding
The retention percentage is withheld from each certificate into the Retention account as a receivable — so you always know the total retained per project and per client.
Certificate approval before it posts
The certificate passes an approval path before posting — you decide who must approve it (consultant / management). Before approval there's no accounting effect; approval is what posts the entries.
Accounting posts automatically
The moment a certificate is approved, the system posts revenue to the Contract Revenue account on the project's own cost center, records retention, advance, and tax in their accounts, and shows the net due as a receivable — all in one balanced entry.
A project's profit comes from its cost center
Every project in Zemam is created with its own cost center. When you tag a supplier purchase or a cash payment to the project, its cost lands there — and its direct margin comes from the Cost-Center P&L report, taken from the ledger.
Read: what are cost centers and why you need them →Frequently asked questions
How exactly is a certificate computed?
Period work value = (cumulative executed work + materials supplied) − prior certificates. VAT is computed on the work value, then retention, advance recovery, and any penalties are withheld — leaving the net amount due to the contractor.
When is revenue recognized?
On certificate approval. Zemam uses the certification method: revenue posts when the certificate is approved — a clear point in time per certificate. Recognizing revenue over the life of the contract by percentage of completion (IFRS 15 over-time) is on our roadmap.
Do you handle retention and the client advance?
Yes, both. Retention is withheld from each certificate into its account as a receivable, and the advance is received then recovered gradually from certificates. Automatic retention release at project end is being enhanced — until then you release it via a voucher/entry.
Does it support change orders (variations)?
Contract and quantity adjustments are handled at the BOQ and contract level. A dedicated change-order screen (with its own dating and approval) is on our near-term roadmap — tell us how you work and we'll show you what's available today.
Do certificates work in multiple currencies?
Certificates are currently in the company's base currency. Multi-currency certificates are on the roadmap — while the rest of the system (invoices, purchases, treasury) supports multiple currencies today.
Do I have to run the whole system just for contracting?
Contracting is part of Zemam, not a separate system — the same purchasing, treasury, and accounting that run your business feed your projects. Tag a purchase invoice or a cash voucher to the project and its cost lands there, while contracting revenue is attributed from the certificate — all from the same ledger.
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