DCAA Compliance With QuickBooks Software

When you are in the business of federal government contracts, DCAA compliance is non-negotiable. DCAA stands for the Defense Contract Audit Agency. QuickBooks provides an accounting package that is well suited for small to mid-sized businesses looking for DCAA compliance. QuickBooks offers two options and several different versions depending on your unique business requirements. QuickBooks offers both a desktop solution and an online tool, and either can be set up to be DCAA/Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Compliant, especially with our DCAA compliance checklist. The keys are Job Costing and Labor Distribution.

DCAA Contracts

Potential government contractors who wish to bid on certain types of contracts should know that although the contracts vary, there is a difference between direct costs and indirect costs.

A direct cost is a cost that can be tied directly to the production of goods or services. A direct cost may be variable. An example of a direct cost is labor cost or manufacturing supplies.

Indirect cost allocations include overhead expenses such as rent and insurances and general expenses like accounting department costs. Indirect costs are harder to pin down and harder to allocate to a specific project or item. Using a timesheet tracking application in conjunction with an accounting package like QuickBooks, you can better control the indirect cost allocations, particularly for general and administrative expenses, to the correct cost objective.

One type of DCAA contract is called a cost reimbursable contract, where the direct cost and a percentage of the indirect costs are paid. This type of contract requires the accounting system approval under FAR subpart 16.3.

What is QuickBooks?

QuickBooks is an accounting software solution that allows for integration across multiple platforms to make payroll quick and easy. They have two main products that make their service worthwhile.

QuickBooks Desktop

This interface of web-based time tracking software and payroll makes QuickBooks Desktop an ideal tool for DCAA Compliance. We base this on our experience with hundreds of clients over several decades. Furthermore, the QuickBooks Desktop integrated payroll module permits the charging of time directly to the General Ledger. This includes Customer, Job, and Service Items, which are immensely beneficial.

QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based solution that is not, at the outset, designed to meet the FAR and DCAA requirements and has some limitations. The good news is that there are ways to make the QuickBooks Online system meet all the government’s requirements without too much effort.

What is DCAA Compliant Accounting Software?

DCAA-compliant accounting software is software that meets DCAA requirements. Your chosen accounting package – in this case, QuickBooks is set up to meet the requirements. Timekeeping and the allocation of costs are of particular importance. Consequently, QuickBooks Time Tracking software integration is an essential aspect of DCAA compliance.

Refer to DCAA compliance explained for more information.

Any accounting package set up to meet compliance requirements will be subject to strict internal controls to ensure financial integrity. One of these internal controls should be an internal accounting system audit regularly. There should also be regular checks on a monthly basis to see that all the income and expenditures balance.

The Benefits of Being DCAA Compliant for Small Businesses

If you are DCAA compliant, you may be one step closer to securing funding from the federal government programs SBIR and STTR. These programs gear towards supporting innovation and technology in small businesses. QuickBooks with Hour Timesheet will be invaluable in pursuing this kind of opportunity.

Is QuickBooks DCAA Compliant?

Yes, QuickBooks can be set up to be DCAA compliant. There are three areas to consider:

Chart of Accounts establishment

Flow of transactions

Cost and Computations

It’s important to note that one should always bear Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in mind when analyzing your accounting system.

Even if you understand all the regulations, it is still best to refer to the DCAA compliance checklist. Where possible, seek professional assistance! Be ready to implement policies and procedures that need to be applied consistently across your business.

Keys to Compliance

Employee time tracking posted daily with required explanations for edits and record locking.

Printable timesheet reports.

Policies & Procedures oriented toward FAR Compliance Criteria found in DCAA’s SF-1408 pre-award audit checklist.

Consistently applied labor dollar distribution accommodating uncompensated OT for salary exempt personnel.

Indirect Cost Pools and the ability to compute and forecast Indirect Rates applied to Direct Costs under Cost Reimbursable Awards.

Progress billing + Cumulative dollar values reported against award ceilings tied to cost proposals.

Identification and segregation of Unallowable Costs as defined per FAR 31.205.

This isn’t a comprehensive list, but it gives a good idea of what to expect. One of the best ways to help navigate DCAA compliance with timekeeping and accounting systems is to partner with a company that has a demonstrated knowledge of government contracts. It can also be helpful to review multiple services and look for important features in DCAA compliant time tracking systems.

What Happens if You Fail a DCAA Audit?

You may lose your contract or face a suspension of payment. Be assiduously aware of remaining compliant. Floor checks are routine, and timekeeping records are an essential part of your compliance. A floor check is the DCAA’s way of verifying your employees.

One way to help ensure you pass your DCAA audit is to get any requested information to your auditors quickly. This can speed up your audit, and help ensure the DCAA auditor has all the information they need. In order to do this, it’s best practice to keep excellent records and track every process and transaction. Hour Timesheet allows businesses to keep these kinds of records, in a convenient, cloud-based place.

We Can Help

Hour Timesheet isn’t just a timekeeping software provider for government contracts looking to pass a DCAA audit. We also partner with dozens of CPA firms and consultants who can assist you with the entire life cycle of getting a DCAA-approved accounting system. Give us a call today! We can introduce you to our extensive list of experienced partners.

DCAA Compliant Timesheet Integration with QuickBooks and ADP

Three Solutions Working Together – If you use ADP Run, ADP Total Source or ADP Workforce Now as your payroll provider and do your invoicing in QuickBooks, you’re in luck. The Hour Timesheet integration with QuickBooks and ADP is simple and fully DCAA Compliant. This time tracking software gives you everything you need to track time & attendance, create invoices, and do payroll in minutes without having to key in data.

Hour Timesheet includes a feature-rich time and attendance solution and mobile functionality that is geared for small businesses. Our SaaS solutions give your organization affordable, easy-to-use web-based solutions. Plus, our timekeeping software is fully DCAA compliant. Our professional services are designed to help your time tracking and accounting stay organized and prepared in the event of a DCAA audit.

Main Features & Benefits of Hour Timesheet Payroll Integration

Mobile App (iOS and Android) –Hour Timesheet offers mobile time tracking in the Hour Timesheet Mobile App. As a result, Hour Timesheet integration with QuickBooks and ADP is easier than ever.

Managing Employee Leave – Manage leave balances, track leave or time off requests, and more directly in Hour Timesheet’s software. All data is stored and tracked, and easily transferable between platforms.

Manage Overtime Hours- Aside from tracking regular hours and job performance, the time tracking software complies with all DOL overtime regulations.

Job Costing – Track and manage job costs, labor costs, and other information directly on the platform. You can view employee profiles, job codes, and other payroll processes.

Quick Access to Time Cards – Hour Timesheet is a SaaS solution, so employee timesheets are stored safely. To-the-second, real-time data is ready and available on the cloud whenever you need it. Hour Timesheet makes extra efforts to ensure all employee time entries are accurate, on time, and employee attendance can improve.

Daily Time Entry Reminders – Hour Timesheet uses daily reminders and notifications to ensure all employees are tracking time as they’re doing it, rather than after the fact.

Location Tracking – Available on the Hour Timesheet mobile app, managers can keep track of employee location when working at home or off-site.

Quick Payroll Processing – With Hour Timesheet and ADP Platform integration, you eliminate the double-entry of data and ensure that your staff is paid accurately and on time.

Time To Eliminate Data Entry For Good – The QuickBooks “one-click” sync imports employee data and customer/job data into Hour Timesheet for quick employee profile setup. No more manual data entry for every new job or contract.

Decades of Experience At Your Fingertips

The 25 years of experience you get by choosing Hour Timesheet means that you’ll have experienced, knowledgeable customer service at your fingertips. We’re always ready and eager to help you troubleshoot your way through any problem or figure out new ways we can help your business succeed! Even if you’re not a government contractor looking to achieve DCAA compliance and prepare for DCAA audits, Hour Timesheet can help your business save time. If you’re unsure, request a demo today to see what Hour Timesheet can do for your business.

Detailed Audit Trail

Daily Timesheet Reminders

Correction Timesheet Workflow

Required Reason for late or edited entries

Supervisor Approvals

Looking for Hour Timesheet integration with QuickBooks or ADP?

support@hourtimesheet.com

Want Help With Your Account?

If you’d like help getting the ADP or QuickBooks Time Tracking integration setup, we’ve got you covered. We’ll be right there with you via phone, email, or screen-sharing session to make sure you are successful. Call us anytime at 832.942.9556.

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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.

Job Costing & Hour Timesheet

What is cost accounting? What are its objectives?

Are you finding it difficult to manage your expenses? You might be well aware that to run a business successfully, it is important to know to control your expenses. For this purpose, it’s important you keep a record of all your operating costs. This is where cost accounting comes into the picture. If you are wondering, how cost accounting is beneficial for your business, then you need to continue reading about Hour Timesheet; the perfect fit for companies looking for timekeeping software for cost accounting

Modern methods of cost accounting first emerged in the manufacturing industries, though its advantages helped it spread quickly to other sectors. For many firms, cost accounting helps create and measure business strategy in a more organic way.

Cost accounting is distinct and separate from general financial accounting, which is regulated by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and is critical for creating financial statements. Instead, cost accounting aims to report, analyze and lead to the improvement of inter-business cost control and efficiency. Cost accounting is a system of operational analysis for management.

Cost Accounting Defined

Cost Accountancy is the process of accounting for cost. It begins with the recording of expenditure and ends with the preparation of statistical data. Cost Accounting is a formal mechanism of ascertaining and controlling the costs of products or services.

It is thus helpful to the management in decision making which also requires the costing information. However, if a firm keeps cost and financial accounts separately then their reconciliation is also necessary so as to verify the accuracy of both sets of accounts.

Cost accounting is also used for control purposes and guidance to management. It involves the ascertainment of the cost of every job, order, product, process or service.

Objectives of Cost Accounting

Determination of Cost

Basis for fixing selling prices

Cost Control

Cost Reduction

Identifies and eliminates wastes like material, expenses, equipment, tools and so forth.

Ensures optimum utilization of resources

To correctly analyze the cost of both the process and operations.

Determination of the profitability of each of the products and help management in the maximization of these profits.

Help in the preparation of budgets and implementation of budgetary control.

Aid management in the formulation and implementation of incentive bonus plans on the basis of productivity and cost savings.

Functions of Cost Accounting

Bookkeeping – Bookkeeping involves recording of cost according to pre-arranged or predetermined classification.

Cost Control – The cost control is exercised through cost collection, cost analysis, cost presentation and cost interpretation.

Cost Analysis – Cost Analysis deals with determination of different relationship between cost and various determinants of costs.

Cost Comparison – The cost of alternative products, activities, methods or areas is compared in the field of production or distribution.

Cost Planning – Cost planning involves the accounting of all costs in the records in a proper manner.

Cost Finding – Cost finding is the measurement or estimation of different products, departments or other segments of the company’s operations.

Summary

In every business, pre-planning your business strategy is crucial. Without a proper idea of the financial state of the organization, the business strategy is incomplete. When you are aware of the costs, you know where the profit margin is lacking. It becomes easier to eliminate the extra cost being incurred and make a better business finance strategy. Also, cost accounting helps you to keep an eye on the increasing costs. If the cost of raw materials is increasing annually, then it allows companies to decide a future course of action to reduce or control the increasing costs. For this purpose, a firm may consider approaching other vendors or decide to manufacture the raw materials themselves. Accordingly, the management can decide on future strategies for the company.

Let Hour Timesheet help you with capturing your job cost today. Try free for 30-days. No credit card required.

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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.

Try Now

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!