6D – 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…

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Accounting 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…

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Incurred 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…

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Mid-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…

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Business 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…

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DCAA 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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Financial Statement Analysis: Understanding What Your Numbers Actually Tell You

Summary of Key Points Financial statement analysis is a business skill that helps owners understand profitability, stability, and liquidity by reviewing the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement together rather than relying only on the bottom line. The income statement reveals whether revenue growth, direct costs, and overhead are improving or hurting profitability,…

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How to Prepare for DCAA Pre-Award Survey

How to Prepare for the Pre-Award Survey

If you are new to government contracting, prior to being awarded a flexibly priced contract, your contracting officer will request that DCAA perform a Pre-Award Survey to ensure your accounting system is adequate to account for government contracts. As you’re bidding on contracts, you’ll frequently be asked to provide a copy of an audit by…

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Jennifer Eubanks Moderated  – Presidential Forum Discussion

Presidential Forum Discussion - Jennifer Eubanks

Summary of Keypoints Event role: Jennifer Eubanks served as moderator for a Presidential Forum discussion. Discussion topic: The forum focused on top financial considerations for associations in the post-pandemic environment and during periods of rapid or “hyper” change. Audience relevance: The discussion addressed financial leadership concerns specific to associations navigating uncertainty and evolving economic conditions.…

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