GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes If you’ve been around GovCon long enough, you’ve heard it: timekeeping is the fastest way to fail an audit. That’s not because auditors expect perfection—it’s because labor is often the largest cost on Government contracts, and weak timekeeping controls create risk of labor mischarging. DCAA’s own contractor guidance emphasizes that your labor charging system must properly identify labor by cost objective and maintain controls and… Read More
Common DCAA Findings (and How to Avoid Them): A Practical Guide for GovCons
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes Most DCAA “findings” aren’t about bad intent they’re about weak controls, inconsistent documentation, or preventable process gaps. The good news: the most common issues repeat across contractors, which means you can address them before an auditor does. This post covers the most frequent DCAA audit findings Government contractors run into and a straightforward way to prevent each one. What DCAA means by a “finding”… Read More
Pre-Audit Readiness Checklist for GovCons: What to Have Ready Before DCAA Knocks
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes A DCAA audit is rarely “surprising” once you know the triggers but the scramble usually happens because contractors don’t have a repeatable readiness package. The fastest way to reduce disruption is to prepare a checklist you can revisit monthly (not the week you get the email). This pre-audit readiness checklist is designed for government contractors who want to be audit-ready for common DCAA… Read More
What Triggers a DCAA Audit? The 8 Most Common Triggers GovCons Should Watch For
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes DCAA audits usually don’t happen “out of nowhere.” In most cases, an audit is triggered because the Government needs independent audit support to make a contract decision (award, rates, billing, or closeout), or because your contract type and clauses require specific compliance steps. This post breaks down the most common DCAA audit triggers and what government contractors can do to stay audit-ready without overbuilding processes. Why… Read More
ICS Essentials #8: How to Prepare a Compliant ICS (Documentation & Best Practices)
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes Preparing a compliant Incurred Cost Submission (ICS) requires more than filling out schedules, it requires accurate documentation, consistent accounting practices, and strong compliance with FAR cost principles. This final installment in the ICS Essentials Series explains the best practices contractors should follow to assemble an accurate and audit-ready ICS package. All recommendations are based on your ICS slide deck guidance. Core Concept: What… Read More
ICS Essentials #7: Key FAR Clauses You Must Know for ICS Compliance
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes Every Incurred Cost Submission is built on a foundation of key Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses. These clauses define what costs are allowable, how they must be documented, and which contracts require ICS filing. Understanding these FAR requirements is essential for preparing a compliant ICS and avoiding questioned or disallowed costs. This article outlines the clauses highlighted in your ICS slide deck. Core… Read More