Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Receivables [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance

Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance

The following table provides details of accounts receivable, net of allowance, for our continuing operations as of the dates indicated (in millions):

	December 31,
	2013			2012
Contract billings	$	606.5		$	522.0
Retainage	159.3			113.5
Costs and earnings in excess of billings	384.6			253.0
Accounts receivable, gross	$	1,150.4		$	888.5
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(16.1		)	(11.3		)
Accounts receivable, net	$	1,134.3		$	877.2

Retainage, which has been billed, but is not due until completion of performance and acceptance by customers, is generally expected to be collected within one year. Receivables expected to be collected beyond one year are recorded in other long-term assets. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses, both for specific customers and as a reserve against other balances, resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Amounts charged against the allowance primarily represent the write-off of accounts which had been fully reserved previously. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for our continuing operations business for the periods indicated is as follows (in millions):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts at beginning of year	$	11.3		$	7.7
Provision for doubtful accounts	6.1			6.9
Amounts charged against the allowance	(1.3		)	(3.3		)
Allowance for doubtful accounts at end of year	$	16.1		$	11.3