Posts by Jennifer Eubanks
GovCon ERP Architecture: How to Structure Systems That Scale With Contract Volume
Summary of Key Points Government contractors often outgrow basic accounting software as contract volume, subcontractor activity, indirect-rate structures, billing requirements, and incurred cost submissions become more complex. At that point, ERP selection becomes a long-term financial architecture decision rather than a simple software upgrade. A GovCon ERP must support contract-level cost accumulation, indirect cost pools,…
Read MoreVirtual CFO Services: Executive Financial Leadership for Mid-Sized Companies
Summary of Key Points Virtual CFO services give mid-sized companies CFO-level forecasting, cash flow strategy, capital planning, KPI development, and executive decision support without the cost of a full-time financial executive. A controller focuses on accurate records, timely closes, and reliable financial statements, while a fractional CFO interprets the data, models future scenarios, and advises…
Read MoreFinancial Planning for Business Growth: Connecting Resources with Strategy
Summary of Key Points Financial planning for business growth is an ongoing process that aligns available resources with strategic goals, helping businesses avoid cash shortages, capacity constraints, and stalled expansion. Effective strategic financial planning rests on four pillars: realistic forecasting, proactive capital planning, scenario analysis, and risk management. Forecasts should reflect historical performance, pipeline data,…
Read More6D – DCAA Chart of Accounts: Structure That Supports Compliance and Clarity
Summary of Key Points A DCAA chart of accounts is the foundation of government contractor accounting, supporting cost accumulation, indirect rate calculations, proposal pricing, billing, incurred cost submissions, and audit readiness. Poor account structures create inefficiencies, reconciliation issues, and compliance risks. A DCAA-compliant accounting system must support direct and indirect cost segregation, indirect cost pool…
Read MoreAccounting System Implementation: How to Transition Without Disrupting Operations
Summary of Key Points Accounting system implementation failures are usually caused by poor planning, rushed setup, inadequate training, weak data migration processes, and unclear project ownership—not the software itself. A successful transition requires treating implementation as a business process project rather than an IT project. A successful implementation begins with pre-launch planning, including defining reporting…
Read MoreIncurred Cost Audit: What DCAA Reviews and How to Survive Scrutiny
Summary of Key Points An incurred cost audit begins after a contractor files its incurred cost submission (ICS). DCAA reviews actual costs, indirect rate calculations, and contract allocations to verify compliance with FAR requirements, making audit readiness essential from the moment the submission is filed. DCAA’s primary focus areas include indirect rate verification, allowable cost…
Read MoreMid-Year Financial Review: Strategic Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask
Summary of Key Points A mid-year financial review helps business owners compare actual performance against budgets and forecasts while there is still time to improve year-end results. The review focuses on identifying gaps, understanding causes, and making strategic adjustments. Business owners should evaluate whether revenue is tracking to plan, analyze the reasons behind overperformance or…
Read MoreThe Augusta Rule: How to Earn Tax-Free Rental Income From Your Own Home
Summary of Key Points Section 280A(g) of the Internal Revenue Code allows U.S. homeowners to rent their home for up to 14 days per year and exclude that rental income from federal taxes entirely — no reporting required. To qualify, the rental must involve a primary or secondary residence, the total rental period cannot exceed…
Read MoreBusiness Budgeting and Forecasting: Creating Financial Plans That Drive Decisions
Summary of Key Points Business budgeting establishes financial goals and spending plans, while forecasting provides continuously updated projections based on current business conditions, making both tools essential for informed decision-making. Traditional annual budgets often fail growing businesses because revenue changes unpredictably, growth expenses occur before related revenue arrives, and business conditions evolve faster than static…
Read MoreDCAA Audit Preparation: The Complete Checklist for Government Contractors
Summary of Key Points DCAA audit preparation is an ongoing operational process, not a last-minute task, and successful audits depend on maintaining documented, supportable, and consistently applied accounting and compliance systems at all times. DCAA audits focus heavily on accounting system adequacy, including the segregation of direct and indirect costs, contract-level cost tracking, identification of…
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