In the highly regulated government contracting sector, the spotlight on financial accountability has never been more intense. Many contractors find themselves impeded by compliance challenges, often leading to audit anxiety and harsh penalties.
Government contract accounting consultants can help contractors ensure good standing with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in the following ways:
Optimal Organizational Operations
Executing government contracts must be done with precision if the contractor is to meet DCAA audit standards. Organizational operations, including accounting, should be carried out to the highest standards to ensure accurate cost tracking, allocation, and billing.
Government contract accounting specialists can design and assess DFARS business systems to ensure readiness for pre- and post-award surveys. They can also assist with the drafting of the CAS Disclosure Statement, as well as accounting policies and procedures.
In addition, they can step in as outsourced CFOs or controllers, working with contractors to ensure that all accounting processes are efficient and compliant.
Strategic Advisory Services for Competitive Advantage and Business Growth
Before a government contract is awarded, the DCAA, through the contracting officer, determines the adequacy of the contractor’s accounting system in compliance with SF1408 criteria.
The DCAA evaluates the accounting system against a requirements checklist. The contractor should also be able to demonstrate how the accounting system suits the prospective contract.
However, due to fierce competition, meeting all these requirements may not be enough to secure the contract. As such, prospective contractors should be able to demonstrate competence mostly in their cost-tracking and accounting processes and systems.
Accountants for government contracts can provide comprehensive proposal/ongoing support, including:
- Pricing strategies to ensure competitive bids that align with organizational and DCAA requirements
- Assistance with cost volume preparation and adequacy assessments
- Technical proposal writing support in compliance with RFP requirements
- Cost modeling, budgeting, and estimating support
- Indirect rate management
Streamline Financial Transactions
Financial transactions require precise tracking and documentation in accordance with DCAA standards. This is especially true with today’s heightened scrutiny emanating from increased government oversight.
Contractors looking to achieve DCAA compliance should set up proper internal controls to ensure accurate timekeeping and record-keeping processes and have adequate supporting documentation for all costs.
Government contract accounting consultants are experts in setting up internal controls. They can streamline timekeeping, cost tracking, and billing processes. They can also assist with:
- Incurred cost submission support
- Costs pool design and assessment
- Tax compliance and planning
Streamline Business Transitions
Transition phases such as succession, exit planning, and contract novation demand a considerable amount of tactical planning and execution. While the DCAA is not directly involved in overseeing these transitions, their potential to impact organizational and accounting operations can expose contractors to compliance risks.
However, the guidance of government contract accounting experts can ensure smooth and compliant transitioning. Below are ways these professionals can help:
- Compliance assessments and corrective action plans
- Assistance with novation negotiations and agreements
- Training new leaders or personnel to ensure that they understand DCAA regulations
Audit Support
Even after passing the pre-award survey, the DCAA will keep the contractor in check through regular audits which are typically challenging. If the contractor hasn’t been diligent in their accounting practices, the audit findings could lead to loss of business or penalties. The DCAA mainly assesses contractors’ cost tracking, allocation, and billing processes.
Government contract accounting consultants help contractors perform pre-audit internal reviews to identify and correct any deficiencies before the actual DCAA audits. During the audit, they help respond to DCAA inquiries while addressing discrepancies.
Continuous Regulatory Compliance
DCAA compliance demands continuous monitoring of regulatory changes and their impact on a contractor’s accounting processes. Accounting consultants for government contracts stay current with these changes and have the expertise to implement internal controls that ensure compliance.
Tailored Solutions
Government contracting is dynamic and complicated, with each cost objective varying in deliverables and terms. As such, every contractor will have different objectives.
Accountants with expertise in government contracts can offer tailored solutions to suit the unique needs of each contractor. They typically consider the size of the business, the nature of the contracts, and the current state of the contractor’s accounting systems, among other factors, to devise suitable solutions.
Ensure DCAA Compliance With Diener & Associates’ Government Contract Accounting Consultants
Government contract accounting is laden with regulations that shape procurement procedures and contractual obligations. These are hard to deal with, particularly for small and medium contractors, as they are responsible for other contractual obligations and lack the expertise.
Non-compliance, whether intentional or inadvertent, leads to financial and legal ramifications. As such, small to medium-sized contractors without in-house accounting teams need professional guidance to remain compliant and competitive in the government contracting space.
Diener & Associates has a team of certified public accountants specializing in government contract accounting. We have the expertise and experience to provide strategic advisory services for competitive advantage and business growth.
We also help contractors with competitive bidding, compliant cost accounting, mock audits, and cost recovery. Contact Diener & Associates today for expert help with government contract accounting.