Telecommunications

CAC Contract Cost — Monthly Amortization

Amortizing the capitalized customer acquisition cost over the contract period.

Account NameTypeDebit ($)Credit ($)
Commission Expense (Amortized)Expense (+)1.46-
Contract Costs — CAC AssetAsset (-)-1.46

💡 Accountant's Note

JOD 35 capitalized CAC over 24 months amortizes at JOD 1.46/month. This prevents the full subscriber acquisition cost hitting in month 1 of a 2-year contract, improving reported EBITDA margin.

Practitioner & Systems Framework

💻 ERP Architecture

CAC amortisation is calculated by the contract cost module for each subscriber cohort (grouped by activation month and plan type). The monthly amortisation rate is contract cost / remaining contract months. Amortisation is posted automatically to the commission expense account and reduces the contract cost asset. When a subscriber churns, the remaining unamortised contract cost is immediately expensed. The contract cost asset and its movement (additions, amortisation, early termination write-offs) are disclosed in the financial statements.

⚠️ Audit Flags

Auditors reconcile the contract cost asset roll-forward (opening balance + additions - amortisation - early termination write-offs = closing balance). Test that the early termination write-off is triggered promptly on subscriber churn. Review the portfolio-level recoverability test — declining ARPU trends may indicate that the total contract cost asset exceeds the recoverable amount. Confirm that the amortisation period is updated if the subscriber upgrades or extends their contract.

📄 Required Documentation

Contract cost asset roll-forward schedule (by cohort), monthly amortisation journal, early termination write-off records (linked to churn data), recoverability assessment, ARPU trend analysis, and financial statement note on contract cost assets.

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Expert Analysis by Qusai Ahmad

General Accountant Supervisor & IFRS Specialist

Specialized in SAP GUI automation and Middle Eastern tax compliance. Building digital tools for the next generation of finance leaders.

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