Loading...

Guide to Making QuickBooks DCAA Compliant for Contractors

In government contracting, businesses and contractors face challenges to ensure their accounting software meets the necessary standards. Among those hurdles is making QuickBooks DCAA compliant, which poses a significant obstacle for many small businesses and government contractors. 

Fortunately, we’re here to guide you through the essentials of DCAA compliance and explain its importance in securing government contracts. We’ll also find out how QuickBooks synergizes with DCAA requirements and introduce Hour Timesheet—a tool that seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks to streamline timekeeping practices and enhance compliance.

What is DCAA Compliance?

DCAA compliance goes beyond a mere formality. It demands that your accounting system meets rigorous standards when it comes to handling government contracts. The primary objective is to meticulously track every dollar spent and earned throughout the contract.

To achieve DCAA compliance, it is essential to establish policies for key areas such as timekeeping, job costing, and the segregation of direct and indirect costs. The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) serves as the overseeing authority, ensuring that contract awardees responsibly utilize taxpayer dollars.

In essence, achieving DCAA compliance demonstrates your trustworthiness in handling federal funds—a requirement in government contracting.

The Importance of Meeting DCAA Requirements

Meeting DCAA requirements holds immense importance. Non-compliance results in penalties or missed opportunities for lucrative contracts. Compliance establishes your business as credible and reliable.

Achieving compliance demonstrates your effective financial management system’s capability to track project costs meticulously. This level of accuracy satisfies auditors and enhances your understanding of financial flow, enabling more prudent expenditure.

By making QuickBooks DCAA compliant, you position your business for success in government contracting and showcase your commitment to responsible financial practices.

Foundational Elements of a Compliant Accounting System

To make your accounting system DCAA compliant, there are key elements you need to consider. It’s essential to have accurate timekeeping mechanisms, such as Hour Timesheet, to track labor hours effectively.

Additionally, you should separate direct costs from indirect costs and keep detailed records. QuickBooks software can greatly assist in streamlining your operations and ensuring accuracy.

Integrating Hour Timesheet with QuickBooks for Enhanced DCAA Compliance

Streamlining Timekeeping Practices

Streamlining simplifies daily time entry and ensures precise tracking, meeting the rigorous standards set by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). By adopting compliant timekeeping practices, you can confidently handle unexpected DCAA audits.

Experience a range of key benefits with Hour Timesheet. Not only does it offer ease of use, but it also ensures compliance with SF1408 Pre-Award Survey standards. With its features designed to enhance QuickBooks’ efficiency for DCAA compliance, it’s like having a reliable 24/7 expert by your side.

Enhancing Reporting Capabilities

Detailed reports provide comprehensive insights that fully prepare you for DCAA audits. Having precise records readily available is essential for aligning your accounting practices with the demands of government contract accounting systems. These reports empower small businesses to stay competitive in the world of government contracting.

Setting up QuickBooks Online for DCAA Compliance

Achieving DCAA compliance in QuickBooks Online requires careful attention to detail. The setup process involves customizing job costing features and accurately tracking both direct and indirect costs. This ensures that all financial transactions are documented per DCAA guidelines.

To begin, it is important to configure your accounting software with a focus on labor distribution. This allows for the separation of expenses into categories of direct costs (such as materials) and indirect costs (such as overhead). Each expense should be accurately classified to ensure proper categorization.

Being prepared for a DCAA audit entails having detailed documentation readily available. This includes maintaining daily time entries by employees, which can be easily managed using tools like Hour Timesheet. 

Additionally, cost reports that break down project expenditures against budgets are essential. By implementing these practices, you can confidently respond to audit requests.

Streamline Your QuickBooks for DCAA Compliance Today

So, making QuickBooks DCAA compliant isn’t as simple as it seems. Here is some key information to remember.

Integrating Hour Timesheet into your workflow will streamline timekeeping and ensure compliance, keeping audits at bay. Additionally, setting up QuickBooks Online correctly is important for precise tracking of direct and indirect costs.

Remember to start with simple steps, maintain organization, and keep accurate records. Take the next step towards DCAA compliance in QuickBooks and unlock the potential for success in government contracting. Contact us today to get started.

Guide to DCAA Approved Compliance QuickBooks for Businesses

In government contracting, businesses must achieve DCAA approved compliance QuickBooks to meet regulations and maintain financial integrity. We’ll guide you through configuring QuickBooks to align with DCAA standards. By implementing customizable time-tracking features and leveraging job costing capabilities, you can exceed DCAA requirements.

DCAA Compliance and Its Importance for QuickBooks Users

Familiarizing yourself with the intricacies of DCAA requirements can save your small business from potential headaches. Navigating QuickBooks to meet these guidelines is essential for anyone involved in government contracting.

What is DCAA Compliance?

The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) sets strict rules for responsible spending of taxpayer dollars. To secure Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, businesses must track every penny meticulously. Simply skimming through your books won’t suffice; you need a deep understanding of the DCAA’s complex criteria to stay compliant.

The Role of QuickBooks in Meeting DCAA Requirements

QuickBooks Online provides a powerful platform that, when properly adjusted, can assist you in meeting the strict requirements of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). It is essential to adhere to these regulations to avoid audit problems and ensure the success of your government contracting business.

How to Make QuickBooks DCAA Compliant

QuickBooks Online offers a powerful platform that, with the right adjustments, can help you meet the stringent requirements of the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). It’s important to follow these regulations to avoid audit problems and ensure the success of your government contracting business.

Customizable Time-Tracking Feature

To meet DCAA standards, accurate labor recording is non-negotiable. Luckily, QuickBooks Online offers customizable time-tracking features that allow you to closely monitor the time workers spend on specific assignments or projects. This feature ensures meticulous record-keeping and accurate tracking of every minute worked on government contracts. 

Precise documentation is an important aspect of successful adherence to DCAA guidelines, and these time-tracking capabilities support that need.

Job Costing Capabilities in QuickBooks Online

The job costing function in QuickBooks Online tracks expenses and revenue associated with each contract or project. This feature helps you separate direct costs (charged directly to a project) from indirect costs (like overhead), as required by the DCAA.

By improving audit efficiency, this feature simplifies compliance and provides a better understanding of the financial health of your projects. It enables you to make informed decisions and implement smarter growth strategies based on accurate and comprehensive financial insights.

Hour Timesheet Integration with QuickBooks for Enhanced Compliance

Integrating Hour Timesheet with QuickBooks simplifies the process of compliance, especially for businesses handling government contracts. Adhering to DCAA standards is a must, and Hour Timesheet provides essential features for labor distribution and tracking indirect costs, ensuring compliance every step of the way.

Simplifying Labor Distribution

Labor distribution can be a complex puzzle, but Hour Timesheet makes it manageable. It categorizes direct and indirect costs effortlessly, keeping your finances organized and accurate. This streamlined process is necessary during DCAA audits, as auditors closely examine how well you track expenses for each project or contract objective. Any misstep can result in penalties or even the loss of future contracts.

With the integration of Hour Timesheet, you can rest assured that all time entries are meticulously recorded. This provides peace of mind that your daily timekeeping and invoice generation align perfectly with DCAA requirements and other government regulations.

Key Features of a Compliant Accounting System According to the DCAA

The DCAA has strict rules for accounting systems used by government contractors. These rules require accurate and transparent handling of financial matters. One important rule is the separation of direct and indirect costs. This means businesses must clearly distinguish between expenses directly tied to specific contracts and those supporting overall business operations.

An approved accounting system must also be good at identifying and keeping track of direct costs for each contract. This accuracy is important for creating invoices that reflect the true expenses of each project, ensuring fair billing practices with the government. 

It’s also important to have strong control over the general ledger, which is the foundation for monitoring all financial activities. This builds confidence in your company’s financial operations.

To navigate the complex DCAA regulations, solutions like QuickBooks have evolved with specialized features to promote compliance. QuickBooks offers customizable timekeeping, which is essential for keeping accurate records, and job costing capabilities to help manage both direct and indirect costs effectively. 

By combining software like Hour Timesheet with tools like QuickBooks, businesses can streamline the task of tracking project expenses by allocating labor accurately. This integration not only makes it easier to meet complex regulations but also improves the ability to provide detailed documentation during audits.

Streamline Your Government Contracting with DCAA Approved Compliance QuickBooks

Simplify your government contracting with DCAA approved compliance QuickBooks. It’s the key to feeling confident in your financial management. You’ve learned how important it is to accurately track time and costs, ensuring every dollar is accounted for.

Ready to take the next step? Explore Hour Timesheet integration. This handy tool makes it easy to distribute labor costs, simplifying your accounting process.

Don’t forget that separating costs is not just a good practice, it’s crucial. QuickBooks is here to help you keep track of direct and indirect expenses, ensuring transparency.

Start today. With the right setup and tools like QuickBooks Online and Hour Timesheet, being prepared for audits becomes second nature. Use these insights to create impeccable documentation that can withstand any scrutiny.

Can Intuit Force Users to Switch from QuickBooks Desktop to Online?

QuickBooks has been a go-to accounting software for small business owners for decades. However, Intuit, the company behind QuickBooks, is now making a push to move all its users off the legacy QuickBooks Desktop platform and onto the newer, cloud-based QuickBooks Online subscription model. The company has been aggressively promoting the benefits of QuickBooks Online and has caused some concern among QuickBooks Desktop users, who may be hesitant to switch.

You Have a ChoiceMaking the Switch from QuickBooks Desktop to Online is not Manditory

For government contractors, it is crucial to maintain accurate and reliable financial records to comply with the strict regulations of government agencies. While QuickBooks Online may offer some benefits such as convenience and accessibility, it does not have all the advanced features necessary for government contracting firms. QuickBooks Desktop has more robust job costing capabilities that are essential to government contractors. Additionally, many government agencies require contractors to submit financial reports in specific formats, which may not be possible with QuickBooks Online.

What’s the Future of QuickBooks Desktop?

Ultimately, the future of QuickBooks Desktop may depend on the continued demand from users and the ability of Intuit to balance the development of both platforms. For now, small business owners can continue to use QuickBooks Desktop with confidence, knowing that they have access to a trusted and established accounting solution.  Intuit has stated that it will continue to offer support for QuickBooks Desktop, including software updates and technical assistance. However, it is unclear how long this support will be available as Intuit shifts its focus towards QuickBooks Online.

Sticking with QuickBooks Desktop also has other advantages

Expert Support

QuickBooks Desktop has been around for over 20 years and has a large community of experts who can provide help, advice, and support. This support is invaluable, especially for government contractors who have complex accounting needs. If you switch to QuickBooks Online, you may not have access to this level of support. Sticking with QuickBooks Desktop means that you’ll continue to have access to this support whenever you need it.

Familiarity and Ease of Use

QuickBooks Desktop is familiar to many business owners, and its ease of use is unmatched. It’s intuitive, and users with minimal accounting experience can navigate it with ease. For many government contractors, making the switch to QuickBooks Online may mean having to learn a new interface and adopting new processes. It may also mean having to train current staff, which can be a time-consuming process.

Conclusion

All in all, QuickBooks Desktop offers the best solution for government contractors who want to ensure that their record-keeping is up to par and that they are compliant with government regulations. For those who are thinking about making the Switch from QuickBooks Desktop to Online, check with any the referral partners listed on the Hour Timesheet website.

Hour Timesheet can Simplifies Time and Attendance for Government Contractors

Economic uncertainty is something that affects everyone, especially small business owners. Government contractors are no exception, and the current climate only heightens that uncertainty. However, there are ways to mitigate risk and take advantage of growth opportunities. A robust time and attendance software can help companies navigate these uncertain times by providing the necessary data and tools to make informed decisions. Continue reading to learn how Hour Timesheet can help simplify Time and Attendance for Government Contractors.

Ensure Compliance in Time and Attendance for Government Contractors

One of the fundamental ways that time and attendance software can help government contractors is by ensuring that timekeeping is accurate and in compliance with complex government regulations. The consequences of non-compliance can be severe, leading to penalties, damaged reputation, and even losing valuable contracts. With a robust time and attendance system, companies can track and verify hours worked, overtime, compensatory time, and leave, ensuring that everyone gets paid correctly, and the company stays in compliance with regulations.

Increase Workforce Efficiency and Productivity

Time is a scarce resource, and government contractors need to ensure that their workforce is maximally productive to stay competitive. By implementing a time and attendance software, companies can automate manual workforce management tasks like scheduling, time-off requests, and shift management. Doing so can significantly reduce administrative workload while improving employee engagement and satisfaction.

Accurately Calculate Indirect and Direct Costs for Government Contractors

Inaccurate workforce costing can lead to overspending and hurt profits in government contracting. By tracking personnel costs down to the project and cost center level, contractors can make better decisions about resource allocation, proposal pricing, and lower indirect costs. Time and attendance software can also help government contractors better understand the return on investment of their workforce and optimize their workforce. Further, using a time and attendance system that delivers real-time data can reveal areas where they are costing excessively, thus enabling contractors to make informed decisions that improve their bottom line.

Increase Data Accuracy and Security

One persistent challenge that government contractors face is ensuring data accuracy and security. Time and attendance software can help resolve these issues as the best solutions offer several tools created to secure data accuracy and security. These include biometric authentication, time-logging tools that offer capture images, self-service portals that allow employees to check their data to help catch errors early, and strong firewalls that discourage unauthorized access. With the right software, government contractors can minimize risks and ensure data integrity.

Easy Integration With Financial and HR Systems

Lastly, a competent time and attendance system can work seamlessly with other systems in a company, helping to streamline business operations. Government contractors can easily integrate their accounting, financial, and HR system with a time and attendance tool. Integrations improve data accuracy across all business functions, save time, and the accuracy of reports.

Conclusion:

In times of economic uncertainty, data and analytics are essential for government contractors to prosper. By implementing time and attendance software such as Hour Timesheet, government contractors can take advantage of data and insights. It provides the necessary tools to make informed decisions, comply with government regulations, and optimize labor costs. With so many benefits to reap, implementing a time and attendance system is a wise move that will set your government-contracting business up for success. Start your free trial today to see how learn how Hour Timesheet simplifies Time and Attendance for Government Contractors.

DCAA Compliance Explained

DCAA Compliance Explained

The term ‘DCAA compliance’ when referring to your timekeeping procedures is often just thrown around. If you don’t understand what that means or how to verify that you are DCAA compliant, Hour Timesheet can help.

Simply put, DCAA stands for Defense Contract Audit Agency. This is the federal government agency responsible for conducting DCAA audits of the Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. As imagined, the DoD is very strict about its rules and regulations surrounding DCAA compliance and timekeeping. The DoD will award government contracts to businesses that use web-based timekeeping if they meet all requirements.

1. The company must document all timekeeping procedures in a policy or procedure handbook.

The employee handbook must address all critical elements of an adequate timekeeping system. Companies must provide all employees with an up-to-date policy or procedure handbook regarding time entry procedures.

2. Every employee must record all of his/her time daily.

Attempting to track time worked in advance or days after the fact is not acceptable. Hour Timesheet comes equipped with reminders and alerts to ensure employee time is entered daily. This means that no matter the size of the company, Hour Timesheet is equipped for every employee to track time. This DCAA timekeeping feature is especially useful for any companies participating in SBIR and STTR programs. They may be smaller businesses, but they must ensure they remain DCAA compliant to qualify for their funding.

3. All employees must record 100% of the time worked.

Whether working on a government contract or commercial work, all time worked must be accounted for. With the Hour Timesheet mobile app  the employees and 1099’s can add time from anywhere, whether they’re working from home or the office.

4. Employees must record all indirect time not identifiable to a given project to proper indirect cost accounts (Overhead, G&A, B&P, R&D, etc.)

One example of an indirect cost is overhead. This usually includes the indirect costs involved in support operations or direct production. These costs are directly related to a project or projects. However, they cannot be allocated to one specific contract. This is because they overlap across many different projects.

5. Employees must record all PTO, vacation, sick, holiday, and other leave time to the proper leave accounts.

Hour Timesheet allows for leave tracking any kind 

6. The system administrator(s) should initiate all job codes that appear in the timekeeping system.

Charge codes must be provided to employees authorized to work on a given project.

7. All timesheet entries must be recorded by the employee.

An employee must record their time based on work completed. They should track all time entries, irrespective of whether the time is billable or non-billable. This must happen daily.

8. Employees must charge to the appropriate project

Whenever the employee completes work or tasks, they must charge it accurately and directly to that project. Hour Timesheet can be setup to restrict which codes an employee can charge their time; therefore, an employee cannot charge to a project they have not been assigned.

9. Employees may not work on indirect tasks and record time as direct costs

An indirect task is work that is not explicitly tied to a project. To remain DCAA, compliant employees must never charge the time it takes to complete these tasks to any project. This would violate DCAA compliance and regulations

10. The employee is required to initiate all correction timesheet entries.

The employee must record all corrected timesheet data that includes a detailed audit trail. An audit trail is critical to remaining DCAA compliant.

The employee’s supervisor must approve every correction time entry in a detailed report, in the event of a DCAA audit.

In the unusual circumstances where the employee cannot make the changes to timesheets, then the HTS administrator may make such changes with the employee’s consent. The DCAA may analyze each entry on an employee’s timesheet. Thanks to your detailed audit trail, the DCAA will see who edited a time card after it was submitted. They will also be able to see when the changes were made, and why. Hour Timesheet creates an un-editable audit log that proper documentation. This activity log will include all of all the additions, deletions, approvals, and modifications made to your employees’ timesheets.

11. The employee’s supervisor must approve all employee timesheet data.

Each timesheet requires two signatures, in order to comply with DCAA compliance regulations. Hour Timesheet allows for online signatures at both the employee and manager levels.

12. All employees should be provided documented timekeeping training.

The company’s employee handbook or new-hire orientation program typically includes this training. Either way the employee should become familiar with the company’s timekeeping policy before they begin working.

13. In order to be DCAA compliant, the company must retain timesheet data for at least two years.

That means the company must be keep their files in a secure and easily accessible location. Should the DCAA require you to produce copies of your timesheets, they should be available. Hour Timesheet keeps the timesheets indefinitely for all employees, current, and past.

14. The company must conduct audit or floor checks randomly throughout the year to monitor employee timekeeping compliance.

Unfortunately, DCAA timekeeping compliance is one of the primary reasons government contractors fail an audit. Hour Timesheet can help. We have the employee and contractor time tracking experience to ensure total compliance. Sign up for Hour Timesheet today and work with an experienced implementation rep to review your account for total compliance. All for FREE.

DCAA Compliance With QB Software

Features To Look For In DCAA Compliant Time Tracking Software

Government contractors that are hoping to get awarded projects from the government have to comply with the regulations set in place by the DCAA. The Defense Contract Audit Agency outlines exactly how businesses should be tracking their time and documenting accounting when working on a government project. The DCAA will audit companies, and ensure they are following these guidelines. The DCAA compliant timekeeping procedures can be tricky to navigate, which is why Hour Timesheet has compiled a DCAA compliance checklist. This makes it easy to prepare for an audit, and make sure your company is in line with DCAA regulations.

DCAA Compliance and Time Tracking

Let’s say you’re looking for a long-term solution to DCAA compliance. Time tracking is a big part of many businesses, and adding in DCAA compliance makes the process lengthy and tiresome. Luckily, companies like Hour Timesheet exist to make it easy for businesses. You don’t have to worry if your time tracking meets DCAA requirements, because we’ve already done it for you. Even if you’re already using QuickBooks, and you’re just looking for some extra help - Hour Timesheet can integrate directly with QuickBooks.

What type of firm needs time tracking software? Most employers who hire hourly employees need to know the number of hours each employee has worked so that payroll can be calculated properly. Government contractors have a different set of rules and are required to track time, both hours for exempt and non-exempt employees. They also have certain rules in place involving tracking indirect costs, such as labor costs. Even organizations that only hire salaried employees have a need to track projects or tasks for successful project management. That's why finding the right time and attendance software is critical to your bottom line.

What to Look for When Evaluating a DCAA Compliant Timekeeping Software? When researching tools, it's important to make sure the software that you are evaluating meets certain criteria. Whether you're an organization with salaried employees, or government contractors hoping to win a government contract, it's important to partner with companies you can trust. Here are some things to look for when searching for a timekeeping system:

Reminders to Track Time Daily

It's common for employees and contractors to forget to track time, which can cause a lot of issues for DCAA audit trails. Hour Timesheet offers daily reminders to track time and ensure it's getting done accurately.

Online Approvals

Whether it's approvals for time log edits or approvals for charge codes, it's important to have a timekeeping system that allows approvals online.

Mobile Access (iOS and Google Play)

Managers can access Hour Timesheet from any computer, or through the mobile app, and submit approvals online.

Detailed Audit Log and Audit Trail

Whenever the DCAA performs an audit on your company, they're going to want to see records of everything. The best practice when hoping to win future contracts is to keep detailed records and trails of all time, labor, and cost history. This will make it easier for you and the DCAA when the time comes for an audit.

Real-Time Location Tracking

Government contractors often perform work offsite and on the location of clients or at work sites. This can make time tracking difficult when managers are unsure where workers actually are. Hour Timesheet offers real-time, accurate location tracking so that your records can be as accurate as possible.

Integration with Accounting Software (QuickBooks Online & QuickBooks Desktop)

This is arguably one of the most important features in time tracking software. The DCAA not only wants to audit the company's timekeeping requirements, but they also want to do an accounting system audit and ensure those records are accurate. By connecting your timekeeping software to your accounting system, such as QuickBooks, you're making this process seamless. The DCAA will look at things like labor distribution, cost objectives, indirect costs and direct costs, and uncompensated overtime. Everything needs to be tracked to ensure proper DCAA compliance with QuickBooks.

Knowledge of Government Contracting

At Hour Timesheet, we believe the most important thing to look for in a timekeeping system is a demonstrated knowledge about the DCAA system. Without this knowledge, the software may not be able to provide what it promises. It's important to work with a company that has an in-depth understanding of how the federal government awards contracts, audits companies and enforces DCAA regulations.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Some other features that can be very beneficial in a timekeeping system include an online web clock, correction timesheet workflows, and online job tracking. These make it easier for everyone involved to do their job.


Are you wasting time and money on the following?

Correcting math errors on hours worked and other time entry activities

Tracking down late or missing weekly timesheets

Manually entering employee time worked into your accounting and/or payroll file

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, it's time to let today's technology work for you. Intuit and QuickBooks have a marketplace where 3rd party vendors who offer time tracking are listed. Only companies that pass strict guidelines and follow Intuit's partner policies are listed on these sites.

View QuickBooks Online Marketplace Apps here

View QuickBooks Desktop Marketplace Apps here

Hour Timesheet was created for you; with your origination in mind. We have created a simplified solution that captures your complex situations and makes DCAA compliance easy. Give us a try FREE for 30 days. No credit card is required. Our experts with over 20 years of industry experience are waiting to hear from you now. Hour Timesheet includes a QuickBooks timesheet import sync that makes your payroll process a snap!

Hour Timesheet can be a perfect tool that will integrate & sync with your QuickBooks Desktop Hosting keeping an eye on your reminders, daily tasks, etc. Learn more about add-ons like Office 365 E3 suite for improving your team collaboration.

Free Trial

tracking indirect time in timesheet with indirect cost pools- man's hand in suit sleeve with stopwatch

Indirect Cost Pools

You Can’t Manage What You Can’t Measure

A key aspect of complying with government regulations is creating processes and utilizing software tools that allow your organization to be compliant. Because we all know you can’t manage what you can’t measure, it is important to understand the basic categories of your organization’s indirect cost pools and to establish a mechanism to efficiently track employee time against these pools.

Direct costs are traceable to the production of a specific good or service. Labor and direct materials, which are used in creating a specific product or service, constitute most direct costs.

Indirect costs are those cost necessary to keep your business in operation. Indirect labor costs make the production of cost objects possible but aren’t assigned to a specific product.

Indirect Cost Pools

Overhead – indirect costs incurred that are not direct costs, but that can be attributed to a specific revenue-generating project or job.   Any indirect labor or expenses that can be attributed to a certain project can then be distributed across those projects based on the projects’ direct labor hours, direct labor costs, or direct material costs

Fringe costs – include employee related costs including payroll taxes, fringe benefits such as health insurance and compensated absences (vacation, holiday and sick time).

General and Administrative (G&A) Expenses. These are management, financial, and other expenses related to the general management and administration of the business. To be considered a G&A Expense, the expenditure must be incurred by, or allocated to, the general business unit. Examples of G&A Expense include:

Salary and other costs of the executive staff of the corporate or home office.

Salary and other costs of such staff services as legal, accounting, public relations, and financial offices

Selling and marketing expenses

UNUSUAL INDIRECT-COST

Two major types of indirect costs are accounted for in a very unique way in the government contracting environment.

IR&D consists of contractor research and development efforts not performed under contract or grant and not required for the preparation of a specific bid or proposal, either government or commercial. IR&D is funded and managed at the contractor’s discretion from contractor-controlled resources.

B&P is comprised of contractor efforts to prepare, submit, and support bids and proposals, either government or commercial, whether or not the bid is successful.

Contract Type Matters

To recognize the impact that changes in indirect cost rates have on both the contractor and the government, it is vital to understand the various types of contracts used in government work. In some cases, increases in indirect costs are totally or partially paid by the customer.

A cost-reimbursement contract is used when the cost of contract performance cannot be predicted with accuracy, such as in the development of weapons systems.

Cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract, the contractor is reimbursed for his actual cost, subject to certain government requirements regarding allowability, plus a negotiated fixed fee.

A cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (CPIF) is a cost-reimbursement contract that provides for a fee that is adjusted by a formula according to the relationship of total allowable costs to target costs. The target cost, target fee, minimum and maximum fee, and the fee-adjustment formula are negotiated at the outset. The fee paid to the contractor is negotiated after contract performance and final actual costs are determined, using the formula and the minimum and maximum fees.

Additional Resources

DEFENSE CONTRACT AUDIT AGENCY INFORMATION FOR CONTRACTORS

Making technology work for you

Making Technology Work For You

Today’s technology moves so fast that it’s not easy to keep up with. It seems like new tools are surfacing every day to help business owners and entrepreneurs save time, money and boost productivity. New technology empowers business owners to achieve what they set out to do and allows them to be creative while maintaining a high level of productivity. Businesses that want to stay relevant know that they must incorporate new technologies into their company’s growth strategy.

The trick to making technology work for you and your team will depend on how it’s integrated. You can use these tips to help your employees to successfully embrace technology:

1. Highlight the Benefits

Technology can do so much to make our lives easier, but the process of learning new technology can still be daunting. To ensure team member buy-in, help them understand the decision to implement new technology. Identify the limitations or problems in the current tools or software. Help your users see how technology could solve these problems. Even though fear is normal in the face of change, we can’t let fear stop us from moving forward.

2. Find Your Champions

There are always employees who readily accept new technology. These are your champions! They can help convince reluctant coworkers where no one else can. Have them be available for questions and training to those who are slower to adopt. Some employees may not be convinced of the benefits of technology until they see someone else do it.

3. Provide Training

Training is critical to the successful adoption of new technology. You must ensure that team members of all levels of technological know-how have the access they need to learn at their own speed. Training can be looked at as a two-step process: You need training from external sources (free at Hour Timesheet), and then you need a core group of internal employees who are comfortable in the new system and can help others if needed.

REASONS YOUR BUSINESS SHOULD EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY

By embracing today’s new technology your company will reap the benefits that keep them ahead of their competitors who fail to embrace technology, including:

Staying connected

Encouraging timely and accurate input

Ability to monitor employee productivity

Improving manager productivity

Improving employee accountability

Access to advanced business reporting and analysis

Additional Links

HTS QuickBooks Online Marketplace Listing

HTS QuickBooks Desktop Marketplace Listing

HTS Android Download Link in Google Play

HTS iOP Download Link in Apple Store

FLSA Timekeeping Requirements

FLSA Timekeeping Requirements

Who does FLSA apply to?

One of the FLSA Timekeeping Requirements is that hourly employees must be paid at least the minimum wage and not less than one and one-half times their regular rates of pay for overtime hours worked.

What are the timekeeping recordkeeping requirements?

Every covered employer must keep certain records for each non-exempt worker. The department of labor requires accurate records. The following is a listing of the basic records that an employer must maintain:

Time and day of week when employee's workweek begins

Time worked each day

Total hours worked each workweek and pay period

Total daily or weekly straight-time hours

Total overtime hours for the workweek

Track Overtime | California Over Time

What type of record should be retained?

Each employer shall preserve for at least three years payroll records, collective bargaining agreements, sales and purchase records. Records on which wage computations are based should be retained for two years, i.e., time cards and piece work tickets, wage rate tables, work and time schedules, and records of additions to or deductions from wages.

What type of timekeeping is best?

Employers may use any timekeeping method they choose. For example, they may use a time clock, have a timekeeper keep track of employee's work hours, or tell their workers to write their own times on the records. Any timekeeping plan is acceptable as long as it is complete and accurate

Android App | Time Tracking Android App | Time Tracker | Leave Management

What about employees on irregular work schedules?

Many employees work on a fixed schedule from which they seldom vary. The employer may keep a record showing the exact schedule of daily and weekly hours and merely indicate that the worker did follow the schedule. When a worker is on a job for a longer or shorter period of time than the schedule shows, the employer must record the number of hours the worker actually worked, on an exception basis.

Are timesheets required by law?

Employers may use any timekeeping method they choose. For example, they may use a time clock, have a timekeeper keep track of employee's work hours, or tell their workers to write their own times on the records. Any timekeeping plan is acceptable as long as it is complete and accurate.

Timesheets are a legal document, which are the source of payroll transactions, and are related to a project, customer invoicing. Timesheets serve as the legal authority to pay an employee. ... For example, the timesheet policy might require that time worked be reported accurately on the date that such work was performed.

Can my boss alter my timesheet?

While falsification of an employee's time sheet can be a serious offense, it isn't illegal for a supervisor or employer to change an employee's time sheet –as long as it reflects the correct hours that were worked.

Deltek Timekeeping

A DCAA Compliant Alternative to Deltek Timekeeping

When a business undertakes a government contract, part of the agreement is for their timekeeping and accounting procedures to comply with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA).  DCAA-compliant contracts require daily time tracking, precise records, detailed reporting, and specific manager approvals, all for DCAA audit purposes. Ensuring DCAA compliance can be a lengthy and confusing process if not using the right tools. If you are searching for alternatives to Deltek's timekeeping, keep reading to learn more about Hour Timesheet's DCAA compliant solution.

There are expensive and not-so-user-friendly software programs such as Deltek that don't deliver some of the features that other products such as Hour Timesheet do. The following are some of the reasons an increasing number of companies are switching to Hour Timesheet.

Regular Reminders

Hour Timesheet features both daily and weekly reminders to employees and managers when timesheets are due. This ensures that everyone working for the company, whether remotely or in the office, regularly tracks their time. DCAA compliance requires daily timesheet entries by every employee and for managers to approve their hours. This must happen whether they’re working on the DCAA that day or not. They don't let it accumulate and try to submit them at the end of the month in a hurry.

Accurate Charging Codes

Hour Timesheet’s DCAA compliant timekeeping software restricts employees charging to an expired charge code. With Hour Timesheet, employees can only enter labor time for specified job code assignments and labor categories, with the ability to set maximum limits or expiration dates. Thanks to this feature, managers do not need to worry about unauthorized or excessive labor costs for their tasks. This built-in feature prevents government contractors from making incorrect entries, resulting in time-consuming corrective actions, delayed invoice payment, or the most severe DCAA audit findings.

Regular timesheet processing

Part of the DCAA compliant timekeeping requirements is that timesheets must be processed every month, if not more frequently. Hour Timesheet's timekeeping procedures allow for this to happen. A report can be generated to illustrate the number of timesheets generated for the month, information on costs, and billing.

A detailed audit trail

As DCAA compliant time tracking software, Hour Timesheet is DCAA compliant. That means it has a long and detailed audit trail. If an employee or manager edits a time card after it has been submitted, the DCAA will want to know who made the change, when it was made and why? Hour Timesheet creates an un-editable audit log that provides a permanent list of all the additions, subtractions, and changes that have been made to the employees’ timesheets.

Manual time tracking

The Hour Timesheet time-entry feature can help protect and allow your business to grow with the timekeeping capabilities you need to be DCAA compliant. Our manual time tracking features will help you track direct and indirect costs on a project-by-project basis and tackle head-on one of the most daunting aspects of DCAA compliance by creating a detailed audit trail. Often the timekeeping requirements of being government contractors can be overwhelming. Let, Hour Timesheet help.

An up-to-date sick/personal leave balance

With Hour Timesheet, all employee's current sick/personal leave and vacation balances are always prominently displayed on their timesheet entry page. There is no need to wait for a regular pay stub to review these balances.

Embedded Payroll

Run payroll with Hour Timesheet data with Gusto's embedded payroll integration in a single platform.

For more information on DCAA timekeeping requirements and how Hour Timesheet is the software to meet the compliance needs, contact us today. We offer a FREE 30-day trial of our software, because we know that you’re going to love it!