Accounting practice Expected Warranty Cost
Expected warranty cost = jobs × claim rate × resolution cost
Gather time sheets, engagement scopes and invoice ageing. Include professional hours, software, and review. The starting figures are examples. Replace them with your own records.
Formula and worked example
Expected warranty cost = jobs × claim rate × resolution cost
| Input | Example |
|---|---|
| Completed jobs in cohort | 200 |
| Expected claim rate | 3 % |
| Average claim resolution cost | 180 |
| Calculated result | 1,080 |
Choose reliable inputs
Account for delivery time, review work and when you expect to be paid for each engagement. For this accounting practice calculation, use time sheets, engagement scopes and invoice ageing and a consistent definition of one engagement.
- Professional hours: include the portion belonging to this engagement or reporting period, and record where the value came from.
- Software: include the portion belonging to this engagement or reporting period, and record where the value came from.
- Review: include the portion belonging to this engagement or reporting period, and record where the value came from.
Use the same currency for every money input. Do not mix weekly costs with monthly revenue, or count the same expense in both an itemised cost and allocated overhead.
How much can callbacks cost after a job is paid?
Expected claims are scenario averages, not guaranteed outcomes or a compliant accounting reserve.
What if this input changes?
If completed jobs in cohort rises by 10%, this example changes by 108 . This shows the effect of one change; it does not predict what will happen.
Open the calculator, save your baseline, then change the input supported by the least reliable estimate in your records. Compare both scenarios before committing to a price or capacity promise.