Advice
Government Contract Pricing Strategy: How to Price to Win Without Leaving Money on the Table
Summary of Key Points Winning government contracts requires balancing four factors: competitiveness, realistic cost execution, audit supportability, and sustainable profit—rather than simply offering the lowest price. Underpricing to win contracts often leads to performance issues, reduced margins, and damaged past performance ratings; government evaluators actively flag unrealistic pricing through cost realism and price reasonableness reviews.…
Read MoreCash Flow Management for Small Business: Strategies That Actually Work
Summary of Key Points Cash flow problems are caused by timing gaps—not lack of profit—especially during growth when expenses rise faster than incoming payments and businesses must fund operations upfront. Effective cash flow management relies on three core pillars: accelerating receivables (invoice quickly, shorten terms, track aging), controlling payables strategically (align outflows, negotiate terms, prioritize…
Read MoreForward Pricing Rate Agreements: Building Rates That Win Contracts and Survive Audits
Summary of Key Points Forward Pricing Rate Agreements (FPRAs) establish the indirect cost rates contractors use when pricing government contract proposals. These rates typically include fringe benefits, overhead, and general and administrative (G&A) expenses, and are negotiated with contracting officers based on projections supported by historical data and compliant cost accounting practices. Developing an FPRA…
Read MoreFractional CFO Services: Strategic Financial Leadership Without Full-Time Cost
Summary of Key Points Fractional CFO services provide executive-level financial leadership on a part-time basis. Unlike bookkeepers or tax accountants who focus on recordkeeping and compliance, fractional CFOs support strategic decision-making through financial planning, forecasting, cash flow management, profitability analysis, and executive-level reporting. Businesses often engage fractional CFOs during growth or strategic transition points. Common…
Read MoreDCAA Compliant Accounting Systems: What Makes Yours Pass or Fail
Summary of Key Points DCAA evaluates accounting systems using the SF 1408 Pre-Award Accounting System Survey. This review determines whether a contractor’s accounting system can properly accumulate and bill costs on government contracts. Failing any of the six required criteria can result in a qualified or inadequate determination that may prevent contract awards. The six…
Read MoreIn-House vs. Outsourced Bookkeeping: Which Is Right for Your Business?
Summary of Keypoints Bookkeeping involves more than data entry, including transaction recording, reconciliations, payroll coordination, accounts payable/receivable, organized charts of accounts, tax-ready categorization, financial reporting, and compliance, all of which form the foundation for accurate decision-making. In-house bookkeeping carries significant true costs beyond salary, including payroll taxes, benefits, office space, software, recruitment, training, management time,…
Read MoreIncurred Cost Submissions: A Strategic Tool for Government Contracting Success
Summary of Keypoints Incurred Cost Submissions (ICS) are both a compliance requirement and a strategic tool, serving as a financial report card that demonstrates how well a contractor manages, allocates, and controls costs on cost-reimbursable government contracts. ICS directly impact compliance, cash flow, credibility, and profitability, ensuring adherence to FAR and CAS, accelerating reimbursements, strengthening…
Read MoreThe Top 10 Benefits of an Outsourced CFO
Summary of Keypoints Outsourced CFOs provide high-level financial leadership without full-time cost, giving businesses access to senior expertise on a flexible, as-needed basis while avoiding salary, benefits, and overhead associated with in-house CFOs. They deliver objective, strategic financial insight, offering unbiased analysis, fresh perspectives, and data-driven guidance to support better decision-making, risk management, and long-term…
Read MoreCloud Migration Consulting: Why does your business need it?
Summary of Keypoints Cloud migration improves efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, but the process is complex and often requires specialized expertise to avoid downtime, security risks, and misaligned technology decisions. Cloud migration consultants align cloud solutions with business strategy, assessing organizational needs, selecting appropriate cloud platforms, and creating customized migration plans tailored to business goals. Consultants…
Read MoreUnderstanding Incurred Cost Proposals: Avoiding the Top 5 Audit Issues
Summary of Keypoints Incurred Cost Proposals (ICPs) are required annually for contractors with cost-type or T&M contracts, and reconcile provisionally billed indirect costs with actual incurred costs to establish final indirect rates and calculate over- or under-billings. The ICP functions like a tax return for government contracts, finalizing indirect rates after the fiscal year closes…
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