Understanding Cost Accounting For
Government Contracts and Managing DCAA Audits

Nov. 29-30, 2012
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily

Course Overview:

This dynamic two-day program provides a comprehensive and practical overview of the regulatory requirements for effective accounting systems for government contracts and compliance with FAR and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). 

The primary focus is on understanding the FAR Cost Principles and accounting for allowable and unallowable costs with an emphasis on internal controls and managing DCAA audits. New rules including various DCAA guidances on cost related audits and auditor communications (The Rules of Engagement), DCMA forward-pricing rate proposal process, DCMA/DCAA alignment and policy on resolving audit recommendations and the DCMA Memorandum on ACO Authority will be covered.

The program covers new trends within the DoD acquisition initiatives, definitions of certified cost and pricing data, overhead claims, the claims process and fraud issues, and potential regulatory changes surrounding the definitions of cost and pricing data. We’ll also cover the rule that would allow DoD to indefinitely withhold payments from contractors with business systems deemed to be deficient and new DFARS rules on proposal adequacy checklists. 

Program Syllabus:

1. FAR cost principles
2. Allowable and unallowable costs
3. Accounting systems for reporting allowable/unallowable costs
4. Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
5. Preparation of overhead claims
6. Best practices for coordination and management of DCAA audits
7. Defective pricing and false claims

Who will Benefit:

Business owners, financial officers, directors of contracts, accounting, compliance, proposals; program managers and staff.

Credits:

1. 12 Professional Development Units (PDU), Project Management Institute (PMI)
2. 12 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPE), NCMA
3. 1.2 Continuing Education Units (CEU), International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET)

Instructor Biographies:

Daniel M. Jacobs, CPCM, CMC, Chairman/CEO, The Federal Market Group. 
The Federal Market Group (FMG) provides professional training, research and consulting services to government and industry in public contracts management worldwide.
 
Dan Jacobs, with more than 30 years experience, is recognized as one of the nation’s leading authorities on public contracting.  He is a Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM/NCMA) and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC/Institute of Management Consultants).  He is a Fellow, past National President, recipient of The Charles A. Dana Distinguished Service Award, the Honorary Life Member Award and a member of the Executive Advisory Council of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA).  He is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), a member of the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC), a member of the Professional Services Council (PSC) and he is a Life Member of the American Legion.  He is a recipient of the “Hammer Award” for contributions to the National Partnership for Reinventing Government (NPR).  He is principal author of Building a Contract: Solicitations/Bids and Proposals – A Team Effort?, author of The Art of the Possible: Create an Organization  with No Limitations and others. 
 
Vic Avetissian, President, Avetissian & Associates, LLC.
Consultant on Government Contract Cost Accounting, Auditing, Federal Acquisition Regulations and Regulatory Compliance. Vic retired as Corporate Director, Government Acquisition Initiative at Northrop Grumman Corporation after 36 years of service.  He was responsible for establishing and facilitating communication with Government procurement agencies on procurement policies and Acquisition Reform Initiatives. 
 
He was Corporate Business Conduct Officer for the Washington operations.  He previously was Corporate Director, Government Cost Accounting and Compliance, Responsible for all aspects of Government contract cost accounting, CAS disclosure statement, overhead claims, forward pricing rates and management of all DCAA audits and negotiation and resolution of rates and claims.
 
He is Past National President of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), an NCMA Fellow, recipient of the Honorary Life Member Award and a member of the Executive Advisory Council, member of American Bar Association (ABA) Public Contract Law Section, Past Chair of the FEI Committee on Government Business, Past chair of the CSA Public Policy Council.
 
He is member of the National Defense Industrial Association’s (NDIA) and member of Contract Finance Committee, member of Council of Defense and Space Industry Association (CODSIA), Acquisition Reform Working Group (ARWG). Vic Taught Government Contract Accounting at UCLA extension.