--- title: "Accounting Software for GovCons: Many Choices but Few Options" description: "Accounting Software for GovCons: Many Choices but Few Options" image: https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/Does%20Your%20GovCon%20Cost%20Accounting%20Software%20Forgive%20Your%20Mistakes%3F.webp --- [Contact: 800-437-8151](tel:18004378151) [Help Desk](https://aldebaron.assist.com/portal) [![DCAA Compliant Accounting System | SYMPAQ](https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/crop-trans-logo.png "Government Contract Cost Accounting")Project Cost Accounting Software for Government Contractors](https://www.sympaq.com/) - [PRODUCTS](https://www.sympaq.com/) - [SYMPAQ Accounting](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-sql/) - [SYMPAQ Time & Expense](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-etx/) - [SYMPAQ DEMOS](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [PRICING](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-pricing/) - [SERVICES](https://www.sympaq.com/services/) - [AUDITS](https://www.sympaq.com/dcaa-audits/) - [DCAA Audits](https://www.sympaq.com/dcaa-audits/) - [Single Audits](https://www.sympaq.com/a-133-audits/) - [RESOURCES](https://www.sympaq.com/#) - [Events / Webinars](https://www.sympaq.com/events-schedule/) - [SYMPAQ Demos](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.sympaq.com/useful-links/) - [BLOG](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog) [![REQUEST DEMO](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2695973/fa292e59-f01d-4acf-b907-53fc989efa07.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2695973/fa292e59-f01d-4acf-b907-53fc989efa07) [![DCAA Compliant Accounting System | SYMPAQ](https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/crop-trans-logo.png "Government Contract Cost Accounting")Project Cost Accounting Software for Government Contractors](https://www.sympaq.com/) - [PRODUCTS](https://www.sympaq.com/) - [SYMPAQ Accounting](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-sql/) - [SYMPAQ Time & Expense](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-etx/) - [SYMPAQ DEMOS](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [PRICING](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-pricing/) - [SERVICES](https://www.sympaq.com/services/) - [AUDITS](https://www.sympaq.com/dcaa-audits/) - [DCAA Audits](https://www.sympaq.com/dcaa-audits/) - [Single Audits](https://www.sympaq.com/a-133-audits/) - [RESOURCES](https://www.sympaq.com/#) - [Events / Webinars](https://www.sympaq.com/events-schedule/) - [SYMPAQ Demos](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [Useful Links](https://www.sympaq.com/useful-links/) - [BLOG](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog) [![REQUEST DEMO](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2695973/fa292e59-f01d-4acf-b907-53fc989efa07.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2695973/fa292e59-f01d-4acf-b907-53fc989efa07) [![DCAA Compliant Accounting System | SYMPAQ](https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/crop-trans-logo.png "Government Contract Cost Accounting")Project Cost Accounting Software for Government Contractors](https://www.sympaq.com/) menu close close - PRODUCTS - [SYMPAQ Accounting](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-sql/) - [SYMPAQ Time & Expense](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-etx/) - [SYMPAQ DEMOS](https://www.sympaq.com/demos/) - [PRICING](https://www.sympaq.com/sympaq-pricing/) - [SERVICES](https://www.sympaq.com/services/) - RESOURCES - [Events / Webinars](https://www.sympaq.com/events-schedule/) - [Useful Links](https://www.sympaq.com/useful-links/) - [BLOG](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog) ## Blog ### Subscribe to our Blog # Accounting Software for GovCons: Many Choices but Few Options [DCAA Audits](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/dcaa-audits), [Accounting Software](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/accounting-software) 10/04/2024 [G. Chris Brown](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/author/cbrown) While it is difficult to estimate the exact number of accounting software packages available on the market today as new systems are continuously developed, there are literally hundreds if not upwards of a thousand accounting system options to choose from. Popular entry-level systems such as Intuit QuickBooks, Xero and Zoho Books are typically the default options for start-ups without much thought given to the suitability for government contracting requirements. On the high-end of the scale, you have all-encompassing ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) options including SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft Dynamics, and Oracle ERP Cloud.  And then there are hundreds of lesser-known "vertical" accounting systems that are designed for particular industries, such as US Government Contractors. Regardless of which system you ultimately select for your business, and even if it is not designed for [FAR Compliance](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/what-is-far-compliant-accounting-software), you have a reasonably good chance of passing a [DCAA](https://www.dcaa.mil/Guidance/Directory-of-Audit-Programs/) pre-award audit that is centered on the [SF1408](https://sql.sympaq.com/white-paper-standard-form-1408-in-english) checklist as illustrated in "[DCAA Pre-award Audit Looming? No Need to Panic!"](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/dcaa-pre-award-audit-looming-no-need-to-panic) # And, knowing that the DCAA does [not approve](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/dcaa-approved-accounting-systems)any brand of accounting software, then choosing software that streamlines the monitoring, measuring, and managing your business beyond DCAA system requirements is certainly top-of-mind. You can feel confident that the accounting software you ultimately select will be the one that best fits your business model. That said, the burning question you should ask is, "How many external manual processes are acceptable and cost effective?" When you prepare your initial [SF1035](https://www.dcaa.mil/Portals/88/Public%20Vouchers.pdf) public voucher you will undoubtedly experience first-hand the need for software that can readily accommodate cost reimbursable, flexibly priced contract invoices. Before long, the time will come to prepare your annual Incurred Cost schedules in support of your claimed versus actual costs. Is your accounting software able to produce the output you need to make that process more accurate and less time consuming? Here are some key considerations when evaluating a new accounting software package when you're operating in the GovCon space:: [                       Labor Distribution/Total Time Accounting](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/labor-distribution-its-meaning-and-methods-sympaq-blog) [Indirect Rate Calculations](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/what-is-an-indirect-rate) [Incurred Cost Electronically (ICE)](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/dcaa-incurred-cost-submission) [Service Contract Act](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/what-contractors-need-to-know-about-dol-violations-and-debarment) reporting [DCAA Compliant Timekeeping](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/the-evolution-of-timekeeping-methods-for-government-contractors) [Public Vouchers (SF1034/SF1035)](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/what-to-have-in-a-government-contract-billing-system) Limitation of Funds Tracking and Reporting ([FAR 32.704](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/32.704)) [VETS-4212](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/vets4212) reporting   Funding by [CLIN](https://sql.sympaq.com/definitions/what-is-a-clin) & SLIN Contract Funding Modifications Multiple Contract Revenue Types  [Multi-Tier Indirect Rate Structures](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/indirect-rate-structures-do-yours-need-to-change) While it is true that your accounting software choices are plentiful and the various requirements promulgated by the FAR and CAS might be of secondary or tertiary importance when making your selection, the reality is that you have few options available unless you elect to shy away from lucrative flexibly-priced contracts using a [cost build-up](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/doing-business-the-cost-buildup-way) model. If the system you select for your cost accounting needs doesn't include at least some of the above features, then you might just end up experiencing buyers remorse.   ### Recent Blogs February, 07 2025 ## [Strong Headwinds Ahead for Federal Government Contractors in 2025](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/5-challenges-federal-government-contracting-0) [Government Contractor](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/government-contractor) [Accounting Software](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/accounting-software) [SYMPAQ Benefits](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/sympaq-benefits) [Business Tips](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/business-tips) [Headwinds](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/headwinds) Poised to bid on contracts with the Federal Government? you will likely encounter challenges with procurement regulations and bureaucracy.[ Read the Blog](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/5-challenges-federal-government-contracting-0) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/5-challenges-federal-government-contracting-0#comments-listing) January, 10 2025 ## [End of Year Tax Form Filing Has Never Been Easier!](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/end-of-year-tax-form-filing-has-never-been-easier) [tax](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/tax) [2024](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/2024) As we learned last year when the paper filing threshold dropped from 250 for each tax form to 10 tax forms in aggregate (i.e., 1099-NEC plus 1099-Misc plus W2), one should no longer be contemplating t\[...\][ Read the Blog](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/end-of-year-tax-form-filing-has-never-been-easier) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/end-of-year-tax-form-filing-has-never-been-easier#comments-listing) December, 04 2024 ## [Another Year, Another End-of-Year Update](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/2024-year-end-of-year-update) [2024](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/topic/2024) One thing we've learned over the years as a software publisher is that unless you are planning on sunsetting a legacy application, you are never "done" with development.[ Read the Blog](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/2024-year-end-of-year-update) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/2024-year-end-of-year-update#comments-listing) ![](https://sql.sympaq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/crop-trans-logo.png?width=200&name=crop-trans-logo.png) We are focused on delivering reliable cost accounting, timekeeping and expense reporting solutions to labor-intensive federal government contractors and not-for-profit organizations in search of fully compliant, standards-based, project accounting software. ### Get In Touch [contact@sympaq.com](mailto:contact@sympaq.com) Local phone:[(301) 670-0858](tel:3016700858) Fax: (301) 840-1591 15839 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD 20855. [Privacy Policy](https://www.sympaq.com/privacy-policy/) [Cookie Policy](https://www.sympaq.com/cookie-policy/) [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sympaq.com/terms-and-conditions/) ### Subscribe to Our Blog Get the latest business resources on the market delivered to your inbox. Copyright © 2023 Aldebaron, Inc. All rights reserved. Website by [IMGdigitalAgency.com](https://www.imgdigitalagency.com/) [![](https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/blue-seal-bbb.png)](https://www.bbb.org/us/md/rockville/profile/computer-software-developers/sympaq-0241-236013238#sealclick) ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=1997524&fmt=gif) × ### Speak to a Specialist Find out how SYMPAQ makes DCAA compliance a breeze. Fill out the form below to speak with a SYMPAQ team member. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "G. Chris Brown", "url" : "https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/author/cbrown" }, "dateModified" : "2024-10-10T20:11:01.051Z", "datePublished" : "2024-10-04T17:07:55.000Z", "headline" : "Accounting Software for GovCons: Many Choices but Few Options", "image" : [ "https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/Does%20Your%20GovCon%20Cost%20Accounting%20Software%20Forgive%20Your%20Mistakes%3F.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://sql.sympaq.com/blog/accounting-software-for-govcons-many-choices-but-few-options", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://sql.sympaq.com/hubfs/logo-2.png" }, "name" : "Aldebaron, Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "G. 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