The CAS Board is Looking to Address CAS Applicability When it Comes to IDIQ Contracts

In the June 18, 2024 Federal Register, the Cost Accounting Standards Board (CASB) put out a notification that it was looking for input on how Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) applicability should be handled when it comes to Indefinite Delivery Vehicles (IDVs) (i.e., Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts). This goes back to an old CASB case from three years ago – CASB Case 2021-01, Application of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) to Indefinite Delivery Vehicles (IDVs).

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 404 - Capitalization of Tangible Assets

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.

Read More

Topics: Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, DFARS Business Systems, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 415 – Accounting for the Cost of Deferred Compensation

For cost accounting under Federal government contracts, including your contracts that are not CAS covered, deferred compensation must be measured based on the requirements of CAS 415. FAR 31.205-6(k) requires that the cost of all deferred compensation, other than pension costs, be measured, assigned, and allocated in accordance with CAS 415, Accounting for the Cost of Deferred Compensation.

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Employee & Contractor Compensation, Human Resources, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

Cost Accounting for The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)

If you want to provide cloud-based services to Federal Agencies, you will need to get your service approved through the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) managed by the FedRAMP Program Management Office.

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 420 – Accounting for IR&D Costs and Bid & Proposal B&P Costs

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 420 outlines accounting standards for Independent Research and Development (IR&D) and Bid & Proposal (B&P) costs incurred by government contractors, ensuring consistent and transparent reporting.

Read More

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 408 - Accounting for Costs of Compensated Person Absence

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 408 was put in place to provide consistency in the measurement and allocation of vacation, sick leave, holiday, and other compensated personal absences. Today, many contractors refer to all paid time off as “PTO.”

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

Is Construction for the Federal Government Commercial?

How does the Government define construction? We need to consider some of the definitions in FAR part 2:

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Commercial Item Determination, Federal Construction Contracting

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 403 - Allocation of Home Office Expenses to Segments

So, you have a contract with the clause FAR 52.230-2 Cost Accounting Standards, subject to full CAS coverage. If you receive allocations from a home office, the home office must comply with CAS 403, Allocation of home office expenses to segments. A home office has the responsibility for directing or managing two or more segments of an organization and includes intermediate home offices or a corporate office.

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

DCAA Finally Takes a Step in the Right Direction with Cost Impact Guidance

The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) issued a memorandum to its leadership – and ultimately its auditors in the field – addressing a revision to its audit guidance related to the audit of contractor cost impact calculations for unilateral cost accounting practice changes (23-PAC-009(R) Revised Audit Guidance on the Cost Impact Calculation for a Unilateral Cost Accounting Practice Change – dated October 3, 2023). Well, it is about time.

Read More

Topics: Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

What are the Different Types of CAS Accounting Practice Changes?

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.

Read More

Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Government Regulations, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)