DCAA-compliant accounting, incurred cost submissions, indirect rates, unallowable costs under FAR Part 31, timekeeping, contract types, and cost accounting standards.
16 guides, each written by a CPA licensed in the US and Canada.
CAS governs how government contractors measure, assign, and allocate costs. The Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) add a second, separate layer.
US TaxCAS applies once a contract crosses a dollar threshold. From October 1, 2026, the basic threshold is $35 million and full coverage starts at $100 million. Here's what changed.
US TaxDCAA audits government contractors through pre-award surveys, incurred cost audits, forward pricing reviews, floor checks, and CAS compliance reviews.
US TaxDFARS 252.242-7006 sets the criteria for an adequate accounting system. Fail the DCAA audit and the contracting officer withholds 10% of every payment.
US TaxThe ICE model is the standard DCAA format for the annual incurred cost submission. File within six months of fiscal year end or face rate disputes.
US TaxMost government contractors allocate shared costs through three indirect pools: fringe, overhead, and G&A. How to pick allocation bases, set billing rates, and avoid DCAA findings.
US TaxBefore a cost-type contract is awarded, DCAA often evaluates the accounting system against the SF 1408 checklist's 14 criteria.
US TaxDCAA timekeeping means employees record their own time daily to the right charge number, a supervisor approves it, and corrections keep the original entry.
US TaxFAR 31.205 lists specific costs the government will never reimburse on a cost-type contract. FAR 31.205 lists specific unallowable cost categories.
US TaxFAR 31.2 sets which costs are allowable on government contracts. The direct-versus-indirect split drives how costs hit contracts, rates, and DCAA audits.
US TaxCost-reimbursement contracts (CPFF, CPIF, CPAF) require full cost disclosure, an annual incurred cost submission, and expose every indirect rate to audit.
US TaxFringe, overhead, and G&A rates allocate shared costs to government contracts. How to structure the pools, choose bases, and survive a DCAA audit.
US TaxA government cost proposal must build up from direct labor rates through indirect rates to the fully burdened rate, plus fee.
US TaxTimekeeping is DCAA's most audited area. Labor is typically 50% to 70% of a services contractor's total costs on a government contract.
US TaxDCAA-ready setup starts with SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID (UEI), which replaced the DUNS number in April 2022.
US TaxWhen you bill the federal government for costs incurred on a contract, the government does not pay for everything. Covers key rules, filing requirements,.