Have you considered populating the contracts module in Unanet with your data, but haven’t taken the time to do it yet? Let’s talk through the benefits of using the Contracts module.
The level of detail within the project codes in Unanet varies for different customers and different contracts. Most contracts require multiple project codes for the following reasons:
- CLIN level separation for tracking funding, billing, and reporting
- Project administrator access and separation of information
- Expense type limitations for different efforts on the same contract
- Different WBS (work breakdown structures)
A contract can easily be represented within the project codes as a prefix so it’s easy to group for reporting in Unanet. For that reason, Unanet customers might think the Contracts module might not offer much benefit. Below, we will highlight a few benefits to the Contracts module that Unanet customers should consider:
Automatically Populated ICS Schedules
Fringe, Sch B, Sch C, Sch D, Sch G-1, Sch H, Sch K, and Contract Brief are all now located in the Analytics Report tool as a standard company report. Some of these schedules will group the information by contract (Sch H, Sch K), so having each project code associated with a Contract profile could group those reports and prevent any manual overrides and potential data translation mistakes in the process. Contract Briefs are also an Incurred Cost Submission (ICS) requirement and helpful to keep on file for other reasons and reference. These will print with all associated details in the correct format.
Contract Maintenance
Record the details of modifications, a change in contract language, period of performance (POP), or funding adjustments. Since the project profile doesn’t have a good record of each individual modification, this is a benefit to staying organized with what changes within the contract occurred at what time.
Attachments
The Contracts module is a great place to store contract-related documents for ease of access across the company. Attachments can be done within the Notes section of the project profile, but when you have multiple project codes for a contract, it is easy to lose track of which code or notes hold the documents.
Reporting by Contract
Although you can easily group project codes for reporting if they have a unique prefix, the logic used might not always be a convenient filter. The Contracts filter is included on most key report criteria, so it’s convenient to use that field to select things you want to report.
Custom Reporting
Since the contracts module information is available in Analytics, creating custom reports by contract is easy. This could help consolidate your data into a more useable format since one contract often has multiple project codes. Analytics reports can be easily saved and shared within the module or via scheduled e-mail.
If you have questions or would like assistance walking through the new release features, please let us know. Our Unanet Team is here to assist you through the process.
Katherine (Katie) Donnell serves as the Director of Unanet Practice Services at Redstone Government Consulting, Inc., where she leads the firm’s Unanet consulting practice in delivering expert implementation, optimization, and compliance support to government contractors. With extensive expertise in DCAA-compliant Unanet Time & Expense Tracking, Project Portfolio, and Financials, Katie plays a vital role in helping contractors build and maintain compliant, efficient financial and project management systems. As one of the first Unanet Certified Implementers, Katie was part of Unanet’s initial pilot certification program for non-Unanet consultants, investing over 300 hours in training, system development, and rigorous testing to obtain her certification. She holds Unanet Advanced Project Management training credentials and is also a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Her technical expertise and real-world implementation experience make her a trusted advisor, frequently called upon by Unanet’s internal teams to support implementation projects as an external expert. Katie is also responsible for the continued growth and strategic oversight of Redstone GCI’s Unanet Practice, ensuring that quality of service, client support, and consultant development remain at the highest standard. She is committed to advancing the professional development and expertise of Redstone GCI’s Unanet consulting team, ensuring they stay at the forefront of industry best practices and evolving compliance requirements. At Redstone GCI, Katie serves as a primary point of contact for numerous small business clients, providing ongoing government cost accounting and compliance support. She regularly assists with monthly accounting close processes, ensuring accurate financial reporting for program management and executives. Her unique combination of software system expertise and compliance knowledge allows her to provide strategic, hands-on guidance to government contractors navigating complex regulatory and financial landscapes. With extensive experience in government contract accounting and compliance, Katie has assisted contractors with DCAA audit readiness, including SF1408 pre-award accounting system audits, provisional billing rate submissions, forward pricing rate development, and incurred cost submissions. She also helps clients design and implement compliant policies and procedures to support an adequate DCAA-approved accounting system. Prior to joining Redstone GCI, Katie worked in public accounting and government contracting, gaining operational experience with Unanet, QuickBooks, SpringAhead, Deltek T&E, ADP, Paychex, and QB Payroll. Her extensive background in accounting, compliance, and financial systems ensures that Redstone GCI’s Unanet clients receive the highest level of technical and regulatory expertise.