---
title: "Time Tracking and Cost Code Matching in Ontraccr"
url: "https://help.ontraccr.com/en/article/time-tracking-and-cost-code-matching-in-ontraccr"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2025-08-22T18:18:26.024Z"
---

# Time Tracking and Cost Code Matching in Ontraccr

## 🧾 **Time Tracking and Cost Code Matching in Ontraccr**

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### 📘 **Overview**

In Ontraccr, **Labor cost codes** are directly tied to time tracking. When a worker logs time — whether via clock in/out or manual entry — they can select a **cost code**. (This can be made mandatory in company settings “Require Cost Code Selection”.) This ensures that every hour worked is tracked against a specific budget line item.

The system automatically calculates labor costs based on:

-   The cost code selected
-   The worker’s default wage *or* the overridden cost in the cost code

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### **⏱️ Time Entry Flow with Cost Codes**

### For Field Workers:

1.  Open the mobile or web time tracking interface
2.  Select a **project**
3.  Choose a **cost code** (required)
4.  Enter hours manually or use start/stop clock
5.  Submit

Only cost codes categorized as **Labor** (or **Overhead**) appear in this list.

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### **🔁 What Happens After Time Is Logged?**

-   The system applies either:
    -   The **employee’s wage**, or
    -   The **hourly/daily cost override** set on the selected cost code
-   Overtime rules (if configured) are applied
-   The labor cost is recorded against the selected cost code
-   These costs feed directly into:
    -   **Progress Page** (actuals vs. estimated)
    -   **Job costing reports**
    -   **Payroll exports (if enabled)**

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### **⚠️ Cost Code Must Match Budget**

To ensure time entries align with budgets:

-   The **cost code must already be added to the project** (in Step 3)
-   If a worker selects a cost code that doesn’t exist on the project, the system **will not allow the time to be submitted**

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### **🧠 Behavior Notes**

-   If no labor codes are added to a project, **no time can be tracked**
-   Each time entry is linked to:
    -   The user
    -   The cost code
    -   The date
    -   The number of hours
-   Time entries are used in budget-to-actual comparisons and forecasting tools

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### **📊 Cost Calculation Example**

| Worker | Wage/hr | Cost Code Override | Hours Logged | Cost Recorded |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Alice | $50 | — | 8 | $400 |
| Bob | $45 | $55/hr | 8 | $440 |
| Carl | $60 | $500/day (override) | 1 day | $500 |