Revision to DCAA’s Mandatory Annual Audit Requirements (MAARs)

Mandatory Annual Audit Requirements (MAARs) 6 (labor) and 13 (material purchases) are two of DCAA’s mandatory annual audit requirements performed for incurred cost audits. These MAARs, established decades ago, have customarily been performed on a “real-time” basis within the year in which the costs were incurred. However, DCAA has recently revised their audit guidance in a Memorandum for Regional Directors (MRD) titled “Revised Procedures for Real-Time Audits of Labor and Purchase Existence and Consumption.”

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Small Business Compliance, Government Compliance Training, DCAA Audit Support, Government Regulations

2023 Year End Unanet Accounting Checklist for Government Contractors

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Below, we’ve created a compact list of action items for your Unanet accounting system at year end. Please don’t hesitate to call us to walk through this year end checklist with one of our consultants to help guide you.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, DCAA Audit Support, Unanet

Deltek Costpoint Indirect Rate True-Up Invoicing

In government contracting, Deltek Costpoint stands out as a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution designed to meet the specific needs of government contractors. One crucial aspect of financial management is the indirect rate true-up process, a fundamental component of invoicing within the Deltek Costpoint system. In this blog, we will explore the intricacies of Deltek Costpoint indirect rate true-up invoicing, shedding light on its significance, the process involved, and its impact on government contractors.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, DCAA Audit Support, Deltek Costpoint

How to Choose a Human Resources Management Technology Solution

If chosen carefully and skillfully, a Human Resources Management (HRM) Technology Solution can significantly improve workplace productivity, enhance compliance, and encourage employee engagement. The various acronyms (i.e., HRM, HRIS, HCM) utilized to describe HR technology solutions often create confusion. Essentially, a robust Human Resource Management system, “HRM” as we will call it, brings together human resources (full life cycle of applicant tracking through onboarding-to-termination), timekeeping, workforce management, payroll, and data analytics all under one technology solution—a comprehensive, full-suite single solution.

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Topics: DCAA Audit Support, Human Resources, HR Huddle, UKG Ready HR Software Consulting

Interest is Unallowable – How is That Possible?

FAR 31.205-20 provides that interest is unallowable on Federal Government contracts, no matter how it is calculated or presented in your financial books and records. This means you cannot propose, bill, or claim your interest expense.

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

Most Common Findings in an Estimating System Audit

If you have an upcoming Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) estimating system audit, you need to plan for it, and the sooner, the better. Don't wait until the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) begins sending you its requests for information. But how do you prepare? Perhaps a place to start is first understanding what this audit entails and knowing what DCAA may cite as common findings.

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Topics: DFARS Business Systems, DCAA Audit Support, Estimating System Compliance

Project Account Groups in Deltek Costpoint for Government Contractors

One key feature that makes Deltek Costpoint the top solution for government contractors is its ability to manage the segregation of direct and indirect costs, especially through its Project Account Groups. In this blog, we'll discuss Project Account Groups in Costpoint, what they are, their importance, and how to use them to segregate costs properly.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, DCAA Audit Support, Deltek Costpoint

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 410 – Allocation of Business Unit G&A Expenses to Final Cost Objectives

Basic Requirements

CAS 410 provides the criteria for allocating business unit general and administrative (G&A) expenses to final cost objectives based on their causal beneficial relationship. The standard requires that one of three cost input bases must be used unless there is a special allocation to a particular final cost objective. Contractors should select the cost input base which best represents the total activity of a typical cost accounting period for the production of goods and services for the business unit.

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

Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 418 – Allocation of Direct and Indirect Costs

Basic Requirements

This standard vastly expands on the FAR requirements related to direct and indirect costs. FAR 31.202 and FAR 31.203 give a basic definition of each, but little else. CAS 418 provides guidance on accumulating indirect cost pools, including service centers and overhead costs. Furthermore, it requires the costs be allocated on the causal or beneficial relationship between the indirect cost pool and the related cost objective. In addition, CAS 418 requires each business unit to have written policies and practices for classifying costs as direct or indirect.

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

How Government Contractors Can Secure More Business: A Guide to Indirect Rate Strategies

Being a government contractor, whether you’re a novice or a veteran, comes with its own unique set of challenges. One of the most significant is the constant need to optimize indirect rates. These rates can be the deciding factor between securing new contracts and expanding your business or remaining static and missing out on opportunities. As your business grows and evolves, your indirect rates should follow suit. Regularly evaluating your rates to ensure they align with your company’s strategic plan and maximize the recovery of your allowable costs is crucial to building a thriving company.

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Topics: Compliant Accounting Infrastructure, Contracts & Subcontracts Administration, DCAA Audit Support