Practical GovCon lessons every small business should apply now The National 8(a) Small Business Conference was packed with honest conversations, real-world advice, and reminders that success in government contracting is less about checking boxes and more about building trust, credibility, and consistency. At VSINGH CPA, we didn’t just attend, we listened carefully with our clients in mind. Below are the most practical, immediately usable takeaways we’re bringing back to you…. Read More
ICS Essentials #6: Who Reviews ICS? DCAA, Agency Auditors & GAO Oversight
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes Once your Incurred Cost Submission (ICS) is submitted, it undergoes review by federal audit organizations responsible for ensuring taxpayer dollars are used appropriately. Depending on the agency you support, your ICS may be audited by DCAA, an Inspector General office, or another federal audit branch. This installment explains who reviews ICS packages and the standards they must follow. Core Concept: Who Reviews ICS?… Read More
ICS Essentials #5: What’s Included in an ICS? Breakdown of Required Schedules
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes The Incurred Cost Submission (ICS) is more than a single document, it is a structured package of schedules designed to reconcile your fiscal year’s direct and indirect costs and certify that all claimed costs comply with FAR 52.216-7. These schedules help the government determine whether your billed costs were reasonable, allowable, and allocable, and they support final indirect rate determinations and contract closeouts. This installment… Read More
ICS Essentials #4: ICS Requirements for Time & Materials (T&M) and Mixed Contracts
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes One of the most common ICS misunderstandings in GovCon comes from Time & Materials (T&M) and mixed contracts. Many contractors assume T&M or partially fixed-price agreements do not require an ICS but under FAR rules, ICS requirements depend on whether the contract reimburses actual allowable costs. This installment explains exactly when T&M and mixed contracts trigger ICS filing. Core Concept: When T&M… Read More
ICS Essentials #3: Thresholds & Deadlines for ICS (Including Post–July 1, 2018 Award Rules)
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes For contractors with flexibly priced contracts, timely submission of the annual Incurred Cost Submission (ICS) is required under FAR 52.216-7. Missing the deadline can slow down contract closeouts, trigger increased audit scrutiny, or even result in the government setting your indirect rates for you through a unilateral determination.This part of the ICS Essentials Series explains the key thresholds and deadlines that GovCons must… Read More
Are Your Numbers Telling the Truth? Cash vs. Accrual Explained—Fast.
Prepared by VSINGH CPA LLC As we close out the year, now is the perfect time to make sure your accounting method is giving you the clarity, accuracy, and compliance support your GovCon business needs. The method you use—Cash Basis or Accrual—directly affects your indirect rates, invoicing, forecasting, and audit readiness. This guide breaks down the differences in a simple, GovCon-specific way so you can enter 2026 with confidence. Accrual… Read More