GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes For government contractors, accounting systems are often viewed as a back-office necessitysomething to maintain for compliance and audits. In reality, a well-designed accounting system is a growth enabler. Strong systems don’t just protect you during audits. They influence whether you can: Bid confidently on new opportunities Support cost-type and hybrid contracts Withstand pre-award scrutiny Scale without operational breakdown This final article in our… Read More
Government Contracting
When to Upgrade Systems: Timing the Move Without Creating Compliance Risk
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes For many government contractors, the decision to upgrade accounting systems is driven by frustration slow closes, audit pain, billing delays, or growing reliance on spreadsheets. By the time the decision feels obvious, risk has already increased. Upgrading too early can waste resources. Upgrading too late can jeopardize awards, compliance, and cash flow. This article explains when a system upgrade makes sense, what triggers the need, and… Read More
System Red Flags That Fail Audits: What DCAA Looks for First
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes Most government contractors don’t fail audits because of fraud or bad intent. They fail because their accounting systems show control weaknesses that create risk for the government. Auditors are trained to spot these risks quickly. Certain system red flags immediately trigger deeper testing, additional documentation requests, or formal findings even when total costs appear reasonable. Understanding these red flags is one of the most effective… Read More
Labor Distribution Controls: The Backbone of DCAA-Compliant Accounting
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes Labor is typically the largest cost element on government contracts and the most scrutinized during audits. Even contractors with strong accounting systems can fail reviews if labor distribution controls are weak, undocumented, or inconsistently applied. In GovCon, labor distribution isn’t just about tracking hours. It’s about proving that labor costs are accurate, allocable, approved, and traceable from time entry all the way to billing. This article… Read More
GovCon Accounting Systems & Controls Series #1: What Makes an Accounting System DCAA-Compliant?
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes Winning (and keeping) government contracts requires more than competitive pricing and technical expertise. Your accounting system plays a critical role in whether you can bid on cost-type work, bill the government accurately, and withstand audit scrutiny. One of the most common misconceptions we see is this: “DCAA-approved accounting system” isn’t a formal certification. Instead, the Defense Contract Audit Agency evaluates whether your system meets specific criteria designed… Read More
How to Respond to DCAA Requests: A Practical Playbook for Government Contractors
GovCon Wednesdays Estimated Read Time: 5 minutes When DCAA sends a request—whether it’s an email for support, a formal data call, or a list of questions—your response strategy matters as much as the documents themselves. The fastest way to create delays (or raise suspicion) is to respond inconsistently, without a clear audit point-of-contact, or with files that don’t tie back to your accounting records. DCAA’s audit process overview explains that… Read More