In my last blog post, I discussed whether you could have a DCAA Approved Accounting System with QuickBooks. If you read it, then you know the answer is definitely – yes. This begs the next question though: QuickBooks Online (QBO) or QuickBooks Desktop? One might think that they’re essentially the same with one just being a cloud version and the other a local install. That could not be further from the truth. The two products are actually very different in terms of functionality and capabilities. A couple of years ago, I would have told you that QBO was just not an option for a government contractor. Appropriate job costing just couldn’t be done. In recent years though, Intuit has focused a lot of their internal development on QBO, and the product has come a long way. In this article we’ll go over some of the key differences between the two QB options, and hopefully help you decide which is right for you. Note that this is NOT a fully comprehensive comparison of all the different features, but rather a focus on some of the primary differences that are most relevant for government contractors.
Read More
Topics:
Compliant Accounting Infrastructure,
Small Business Compliance,
Quickbooks
I talk with business owners all the time that are either just starting their business, or just getting their existing business into government contracting, and one of the questions we address almost weekly is – Which accounting software built for government contractors should I go with? The answer is, maybe none of them. While the popular govcon accounting software solutions are a really good option for many government contractors, you certainly aren’t limited to those. If you’re a relatively small government contractor, then other products such as QuickBooks might be a better software solution.
Read More
Topics:
Compliant Accounting Infrastructure,
Small Business Compliance,
Quickbooks
In our last newsletter, we focused on some of the unnecessary obstacles small businesses face in the regulatory environment and areas where, in our opinion, Government auditors, particularly DCAA, misinterpret regulatory guidance in their efforts to question costs.
Read More
Topics:
Small Business Compliance,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans
This is the second of a two-part blog series where we tackle small business joint ventures and the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program. In this blog, we will discuss small business joint ventures and how a government contractor can get involved in one.
Read More
Topics:
Small Business Compliance,
Government Regulations
This is the first of a two-part blog series where we will tackle small business joint ventures and the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program. In this blog, we will discuss the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program.
Read More
Topics:
Small Business Compliance,
Government Regulations
On July 9th, 2021, the Department of Defense (DoD)issued a final rule in the Federal Register to implement 10 U.S.C. 2330a which requires the DoD to establish a data collection system to provide certain management information about an awarded contract or task order that is valued in excess of $3 million. This new rule is applicable for the following service acquisition portfolio groups:
- logistics management services
- equipment-related services
- knowledge-based services
- electronics and communications services
You may read the entire rule here.
Read More
Topics:
Compliant Accounting Infrastructure,
Small Business Compliance,
Contracts & Subcontracts Administration,
Government Compliance Training,
DFARS Business Systems,
DCAA Audit Support,
System Award Management (SAM),
Government Regulations
What’s New in this Long-Standing Area?
The FAR Council at long last issues final rule to implement the Trump Executive Order 13881, Maximizing Use of American-Made Goods, Products, and Materials. Only a few days later a Biden Executive Order 14005, Ensuring Future of America is Made in America by all of America’s Workers, hit the streets.
Read More
Topics:
Proposal Cost Volume Development & Pricing,
Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE),
Small Business Compliance,
Contracts & Subcontracts Administration,
DFARS Business Systems,
DCAA Audit Support,
Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR),
Government Regulations,
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
On January 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its final rule to clarify whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The final rule was published in the Federal Register on January 7, 2021 and the effective date is March 8, 2021. You may read the entire rule here.
Read More
Topics:
Small Business Compliance,
Human Resources
Contractors with cost reimbursable contracts that include the Allowable cost and payment clause, FAR 52.216-7 or Payments under Time-and-Materials and Labor-Hour contracts clause, FAR 52.232-7, are required to submit an Incurred Cost Proposal for each fiscal year costs were incurred on any cost reimbursable contract. This incurred cost proposal is provided to your Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) with a deadline of six months after the Contractor’s fiscal year end. Once the Incurred Cost Proposal is received by DCAA, they review it for adequacy. DCAA provides a notification to the Contractor, typically via email, that the proposal is deemed adequate for audit or outlines changes DCAA believes are necessary. That is great to know it is adequate for audit but what does that mean? This means that DCAA has reviewed the incurred cost proposal and determined that the schedules are properly completed for them to begin the audit potentially.
Read More
Topics:
Incurred Cost Proposal Submission (ICP/ICE),
Small Business Compliance,
DCAA Audit Support,
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
