CAS 404 provides the criteria for determining whether to assign the cost of a capital asset as a period expense when acquired or capitalize the item as a tangible asset and spread the cost over two or more accounting periods.
Lynne Nalley, CPA

Recent Posts
Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, DFARS Business Systems, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Department of Defense (DoD) issued a final rule effective November 17, 2023, amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to limit DoD prime contractors from flowing down FAR and DFARS clauses to commercial subcontracts unless the flowdown is specified in the regulation.
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Contract Management needs to ensure they set aside enough time and read the contract before they sign it. We understand there are deadlines to meet, but you don’t want to get caught up skimming the contract because it is too lengthy, thinking you know all the clauses by heart, or ignoring legal jargon because you don’t understand it.
Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Organizational Change Management Consulting
Contractors need to understand the laws for applying state sales and use taxes to purchased goods and services on government contracts. It can be a costly mistake that eats away at your profit.
Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE), Small Business Compliance, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DFARS Business Systems, Government Regulations, Government Property Management, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Current and accurate timekeeping is one of the most important responsibilities of a contractor and its employees when they have Government cost reimbursement and time and material/labor hour contracts. Direct labor is one of the significant elements of cost incurred and billed on Government contracts. FAR 16.301-3(a)(3) requires contracting officers to ensure a contractor has an adequate accounting system, which includes a timekeeping system, before award of a cost reimbursable contract. While there is no specific reference to an adequate timekeeping system for T&M/Labor hour contracts, FAR 52.232-7 requires the contractor to be able to support the hours and labor qualifications of the employees charged to the contract. Auditors will request documentation to support employee qualifications and labor hours on T&M/Labor hour contracts. An adequate timekeeping system includes having a written timekeeping policy and procedure to ensure the accuracy and integrity of direct labor costs charged and billed to Government contracts.
Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Government Compliance Training, DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support
My commercial company wants to increase business with the Federal Government – but not with all those requirements the Government follows when buying under FAR Part 15 rules (Contracting by Negotiation). Is that even possible? The answer is “absolutely”.
Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Commercial Item Determination
Contractors are required to keep their System of Award Management (SAM) registration up to date. FAR 52.204-7(b)(1) requires an offeror to be registered in the System of Award Management (SAM) when submitting an offer/quote, registered until the time of award, during performance, and through final payment. Sounds pretty easy. However, contractors are not always registering or updating their registration, resulting in ineligible awards, as noted in recent court cases (See our blog: SAM Registrations: Check Often and Never Let it Lapse!).
Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, System Award Management (SAM), Government Regulations
My company only sells to the Government so my products/services can’t be commercial. Truth or Myth. This is a myth. If you are selling products/services under FAR 15 based contracts or subcontracts, submitting certified cost and pricing data and documenting other accounting and purchasing requirements that come along with it, when the products/services technically meet the definition of commercial under the FAR – it may be time to rethink your approach.
Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Commercial Item Determination
Most contractors that have contracts/subcontracts subject to full CAS coverage will eventually want to make a change to a cost accounting practice because there is a “better” allocation method or a change is required to remain in compliance with CAS.
Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
Since the Department of Justice (DOJ) started promoting its initiative on Cyber Security reporting there have been several settlements related to cyber security noncompliance, four of which involve defense contractors.
Topics: DFARS Business Systems, Cybersecurity