Actual Cost Calculator
What is an Actual Cost Calculator?
Actual Cost (AC), also called Actual Cost of Work Performed (ACWP), is the money really spent to complete the work done so far. It is one of the three base numbers of earned value management, next to Planned Value (PV) and Earned Value (EV). Without a reliable AC figure you cannot compute a Cost Performance Index, a cost variance or an Estimate at Completion.
How to use the calculator
- Enter the cost lines booked against the activity or work package: labour, materials, plant and equipment, subcontracts and any allocated overhead.
- Use the same cut-off date you use for progress measurement, so AC and EV describe the same period.
- Read the total Actual Cost and copy it into your EVM or P6 cost report.
Worked example
A footing package has a reporting cut-off of 30 June. Booked costs are: labour 18,400, concrete and steel 42,750, excavator hire 6,300 and site overhead 3,550. The Actual Cost is 71,000. If the Earned Value for the same package is 65,000, the cost variance is EV - AC = -6,000 and the CPI is 65,000 / 71,000 = 0.92, meaning the work is running about 8% over budget.
Common mistakes
- Counting commitments as cost. A purchase order that has not been delivered or invoiced is a commitment, not an actual cost.
- Mismatched periods. Taking AC from the accounts on the 5th while progress was measured on the 30th makes CPI meaningless.
- Ignoring accruals. Work done but not yet invoiced should be accrued, otherwise AC looks artificially low.
All calculations run locally in your browser, so project cost data never leaves your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Actual Cost and Earned Value?
Actual Cost is what you have spent. Earned Value is the budgeted value of the work you have actually completed. Comparing the two tells you whether you are over or under budget for the work done.
Is Actual Cost the same as ACWP?
Yes. ACWP (Actual Cost of Work Performed) is the older name used in many US government and construction standards. Modern PMI terminology simply calls it AC.
Should overhead be included in Actual Cost?
Include it only if your budget (Planned Value) also includes overhead. AC and PV must be built on the same cost basis, otherwise the indices are distorted.
How often should Actual Cost be updated?
Usually once per reporting period, typically weekly or monthly, using the same cut-off date as the progress update in your schedule.