DCAA Compliance Blog

There are obviously many changes occurring in the Government contracting marketplace over the last couple of years.  You don't have to think back too far to remember the threat of canceled contracts due to Sequestration or the Government Shutdown.  The military draw down in Iraq and Afghanistan and the mandated reduction in defense spending have had an effect on all government contractors. 

For many years government contractors have struggled with how to maintain a DCAA compliant accounting system.  The original Contract Audit Manual was created in the Department of Defense in the 1950's.  The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) was created in the 1960's.  The original requirements for systems were obviously created prior to the use of computers in business.  Now, certainly, the CAM and the DCAA have adopted with changing times and continue to change.  That is not the point.  I think that a lot of the regulations were designed for manual type systems and they have found a way to survive in the regulations.  Even some of the most popular software programs for accounting for government contractors struggle with all the  requirements.  In addition, some of the programs are written on older platforms so the look and feel of the program is somewhat dated. 

I tend to be a visual person and I think a lot of people are like me.  That is why our world has changed so much to focus on tools like portable phones with video displays, touch screen devices and even access to things like television on your cell phone.  I comprehend topics better when I can see them as opposed to just reading about it.