In March 2024, a mid-sized defense contractor learned the brutal cost of inadequate remote work timekeeping when DCAA auditors discovered systematic violations spanning 18 months of hybrid work arrangements. The contractor faced $8.4 million in penalties and contract suspension after auditors found employees routinely batch-entering weekly time records, insufficient supervisory controls for remote work validation,…
A defense contractor learned this lesson the hard way when an 18-month suspension from federal contracting resulted from improper after-hours timesheet corrections that DCAA classified as fraudulent mischarging rather than administrative errors. The financial impact exceeded $2.3 million in lost contract opportunities, demonstrating how a seemingly minor timekeeping practice can trigger severe enforcement actions under…
For government contractors operating under federal contracts, DCAA compliance isn’t just a regulatory requirement—it’s essential for business survival. The choice between time tracking solutions can make the difference between passing audits with confidence and facing costly compliance failures. While both Hour Timesheet and QuickBooks Time offer time tracking capabilities, their approaches to DCAA compliance couldn’t…
A Virginia-based defense contractor learned this lesson at a cost of $23 million in questioned costs and an 18-month suspension from federal contracting. Their crime? Implementing a weekly time entry system that violated fundamental DCAA timekeeping requirements under 48 CFR 31.201-4 and Cost Accounting Standard (CAS) 418. The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) rejected their…
A $47 Million Wake-Up Call: When DCAA Compliance Goes Wrong In 2023, defense contractor Raytheon Technologies agreed to pay $47 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by inflating costs charged to government contracts over a six-year period from 2013 to 2019. The Department of Justice investigation revealed that Raytheon failed…
Maintaining DCAA compliance is crucial for 8(a) contractors engaged in government contracts, as it ensures adherence to a stringent set of standards and regulations necessary for successful contract execution. Understanding these compliance requirements and implementing effective timekeeping practices are essential for avoiding potential pitfalls and ensuring smooth operations. Hour Timesheet offers an invaluable solution with…
In September 2022, a major aerospace contractor faced $47.2 million in penalties when DCAA auditors discovered the company had failed to submit required incurred cost submissions for three consecutive years. The contractor’s inadequate year-end preparation and failure to maintain compliant documentation under FAR 52.216-7 resulted in contract suspension just as the new fiscal year began….
Ensuring your timekeeping system meets DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency) standards is critical for government contractors. Hour Timesheet offers built-in features that support compliance, transparency, and audit readiness. In this guide, we’ll walk through each key feature, where to find it, and how to configure it properly—with screenshots to help you every step of the…
In 2019, a defense contractor based in Virginia faced a substantial penalty of $12.3 million. This was a consequence of DCAA auditors uncovering systematic labor mischarging across several cost-plus contracts. The contractor’s inadequate timekeeping system and failure to maintain proper supporting documentation, as required under FAR 31.201-3, led to questioned costs. This ultimately resulted in…
Understanding the implications of the latest federal budget is crucial for cost-plus contractors, particularly those working with government contracts. The federal budget introduces changes that can significantly impact compliance, auditing requirements, and financial management strategies. These shifts emphasize the need for reliable and comprehensive timekeeping solutions that ensure DCAA compliance and efficient cost management. Hour…
