{"id":8920,"date":"2018-01-19T09:09:47","date_gmt":"2018-01-19T14:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foundationsoft.com\/?p=8920"},"modified":"2025-04-21T11:09:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T15:09:55","slug":"training-hours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foundationsoft.com\/learn\/training-hours\/","title":{"rendered":"Demystifying Construction Accounting Software Training: How Many Hours Does It Take?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Starting on new construction accounting software<\/a> isn\u2019t just a cost commitment. It\u2019s a time commitment. And the best way to manage that time commitment is to make sure you get all the training you need up front in order to start on the right path to success. So how much training is that?<\/p>\n

You might get different answers. For generic software, vendors might tell you about the 80\/20 rule. This rule says that 80% of clients<\/a> will only make use of 20% of the software. So why pay for something you probably wont use? That’s why specialized software, one that is specific for what you need, is an essential investment.<\/p>\n

Remember, you’re moving from a one-size-fits-all program to one that fits your<\/em> company. Keep in mind also that higher-level vertical software, like construction-specific accounting, takes months to prepare for properly. Someone might tell you that 10 hours flat is all you need. And that might sound good. But it isn’t realistic. (Wouldn’t you think twice about a tradesperson who went through an “accelerated” 60-day apprenticeship?) There’s no shortcut that isn’t going to cost you later. Neither is there a single, out-of-the-box answer for every construction company.<\/p>\n\"eBook<\/a>\n

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Contractors need to look at the entire process of training, from prep to completion and utilization. In our experience, with our software, we find that the most contractors are best positioned for success with roughly\u00a035-50 hours of training<\/a>. That’s why we figure out what a particular client needs and include that block of training hours along with their construction software.<\/p>\n

The reality is, there are numerous variables with your software and your company that impact how much training you may need. It\u2019s important not to underestimate that number. It’s also important to be able to enjoy flexibility with the training hours your vendor gives you.<\/p>\n

<\/span>What impacts how much training I need?<\/span><\/h3>\n

<\/span>1. Type of accounting system<\/span><\/h4>\n

The number of training hours you\u2019ll need depends first of all on the accounting software system you\u2019re starting with.\u00a0A small-business accounting program like QuickBooks\u00ae or Xero can be relatively easy to learn \u2014 at least enough to get started on it. That’s where 10 hours would be completely reasonable. On the other end, large ERP packages that pull together accounting, contract management and human resources will require up to hundreds of hours<\/em> and 12 months or more.<\/p>\n

A best-of-breed construction accounting package<\/a> will be somewhere in the middle.<\/p>\n

<\/span>2. Base system<\/span><\/h4>\n

Even among similar best-of-breed construction accounting applications, contractors may start with differently sized systems and different base modules. It depends first on the vendor they choose. Not all construction accounting software, for example, comes with a subcontracts module<\/a> included in the base system. It also depends if the contractor adds any modules for project management, document control or specialized billing. Some contractors choose to implement these down the road and get training later. Many decide to include them in their initial training.<\/p>\n

<\/span>3. System goals<\/span><\/h4>\n

Similarly, contractors can differ in the goals they bring to a new construction accounting system. Let’s say they just need better job cost reports<\/a>, Davis-Bacon payroll<\/a>\u00a0and a stronger database<\/a>. There may be less of the system they need to learn up front. However, if they want to set up job costing for the first time, begin using time and material markups and start allocating their overhead, their trainer will put in the appropriate time with them.<\/p>\n

<\/span>4. Your experience<\/span><\/h4>\n

Another significant factor is whether your staff has had prior experience using construction accounting software. Moving from general-purpose accounting software to a construction-specific system<\/a> is a major step. It gives contractors a lot to learn and a lot to play with. Moving from one construction accounting program to another can certainly make that transition easier. At the same time, it\u2019s not just like going from a Ford to a Chevy. There can be subtle and sometimes substantial differences in how the system functions in one area or another.<\/p>\n

<\/span>5. Your staff<\/span><\/h4>\n

Who your staff is will also make a big impact on training time. Of course, larger construction offices often mean more people need to be trained. A smaller team, on the other hand, might be able to move through the training with more agility. It may also mean that each person is responsible for doing more in the system. In that case, it could be beneficial to control the pace of training so they have more time to process and practice the information between sessions.<\/p>\n

In general, training will go smoother the more your staff is:<\/p>\n