---
title: "How do I create a costing category?"
slug: "how-do-i-create-a-costing-category"
updated: 2026-06-10T11:26:23Z
published: 2026-06-10T11:26:23Z
canonical: "help.cintra.co.uk/how-do-i-create-a-costing-category"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.cintra.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How do I create a costing category?

Now that your **Cost Analysis Structure** is set up, you can set up rules within **Cintra iQ**, according to how you want your costs to be analysed when you extract **Cost Analysis** data. The rule set up is based on pay elements.

You can also group multiple pay elements together under a costing category so that you can apply cost analysis rules to categories of pay elements rather than individual pay elements. **Cost Categories** are used to group together payments (additions) and overheads that are to be treated in the same way by the costing rules set up in **Cost Allocations** or **Mapped Cost Allocations**.

## To create a costing category

1. Navigate to the **Account Mapping** window. Go to Cintra iQ: Payroll > Payroll Setup > Accounting
2. Navigate to the **Costing Categories** tab.
3. In the **Costing Categories** pane, right-click: **New**. The **New Cost Category** form appears. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064034.png)
4. Enter the **Category Name**.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:** If the Category is for Overheads, then check the Overhead Category check box.
5. Click the **OK** button. The entry appears in the **Cost Categories** pane. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/fc2cda72-4645-4b36-96bf-60439ec11f11/Images/Documentation/204001064035.png)
6. Continue to assign additions and/or overheads to the relevant category.
7. Click the **OK** button to save and exit the window.