A tailored course, built for your situation
Deeper Command of Federal Cost Accounting Standards
Master the FAR and CAS framework at the level senior auditors rely on
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
The situation this course is for
Who this is for
Senior accounting professional in a federal contracting environment who interprets and implements cost accounting standards daily
Who this is not for
Entry-level accountants, professionals outside government contracting, or those focused solely on commercial GAAP reporting
What you walk away with
- Fluency in CAS 401, 419 and relevant FAR clauses affecting cost allowability
- Ability to map accounting practices directly to regulatory language
- Confidence justifying cost allocations during audits and reviews
- Reusable templates for consistent compliance documentation
- Decision logic frameworks for handling ambiguous or novel cost scenarios
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Core Principles of Federal Cost Accounting
Establish the foundation of CAS and FAR alignment, including statutory intent, applicability thresholds, and agency-specific enforcement patterns.
12 chapters in this module
- What triggers CAS coverage
- Materiality thresholds in practice
- Difference between CAS and GAAP
- FAR Part 31 overview
- Administrative contracts vs. commercial
- Deviations and exceptions process
- Role of the ACO
- Disclosure statement requirements
- Cost accounting period rules
- Consistency in practice
- Burden of proof in audits
- Key terms every practitioner must know
Module 2. CAS 401: Consistency in Estimating
Master the rule governing how estimates are developed, documented, and defended across proposals and financial reporting.
12 chapters in this module
- Definition of estimating methodology
- When to update an estimate
- Documentation standards
- Treatment of escalation factors
- Contingency reserve rules
- Basis of estimate alignment
- Audit defense checklist
- Common misapplications
- Examples from DCAA findings
- Cross-references to proposal volumes
- Internal review triggers
- Change control process
Module 3. CAS 402: Consistency in Allocating
Understand how allocation bases must remain stable and defensible across time and contracts.
12 chapters in this module
- Allowable allocation bases
- Direct vs. indirect consistency
- Reallocations and corrections
- Impact of organizational changes
- Allocating G&A across pools
- Timekeeping system requirements
- Allocation rate development
- Disclosure updates
- Testing for reasonableness
- Audit trail expectations
- Treatment of shared resources
- Common DCAA challenges
Module 4. CAS 403: Allocation of Home Office Expenses
Navigate the complexities of charging parent company costs to government contracts.
12 chapters in this module
- Definition of home office
- Reasonable and necessary test
- Proportionate share calculation
- Excluded expenses
- Documentation trail
- Audit defense framework
- Treatment of executive time
- Facilities use charges
- Cost impact analysis
- Coordination with HQ finance
- Disclosure statement updates
- Recent enforcement trends
Module 5. CAS 404: Capitalization of Tangible Assets
Apply depreciation rules consistently with contract and tax accounting methods.
12 chapters in this module
- Capitalization thresholds
- Useful life determination
- Depreciation method alignment
- Treatment of leasehold improvements
- Disposal gains and losses
- Cost pooling rules
- Segregation of government assets
- Audit verification process
- Impact on billing rates
- Internal capital review
- Fixed asset tagging
- Reporting during contract closeout
Module 6. CAS 405: Accounting for Unallowable Costs
Build robust systems to identify, track, and exclude unallowable expenses from government billing.
12 chapters in this module
- FAR 31.205-1 to -47 overview
- Common unallowable categories
- Segregation of systems
- Cross-charge prevention
- Audit failure hotspots
- Internal monitoring framework
- Timekeeping flags
- Proposal cost exclusion
- Disclosure in CASB reports
- Training for project managers
- Reimbursement clawback risk
- Mitigation playbook
Module 7. CAS 406: Cost Accounting Period
Align fiscal periods, contract periods, and cost assignment rules without distortion.
12 chapters in this module
- Definition of accounting period
- Interim vs. final allocations
- Year-end adjustments
- Treatment of pre-award costs
- Post-award cost assignment
- Carryforward rules
- Consistency with tax reporting
- Impact on provisional billing rates
- Disclosure of period changes
- Audit reconciliation process
- Timing of cost recognition
- Avoiding double counting
Module 8. CAS 409: Depreciation of General Plant
Handle shared facility and equipment depreciation across multiple contracts and business units.
12 chapters in this module
- Definition of general plant
- Allocation base selection
- Reasonable cost test
- Use of composite rates
- Asset classification rules
- Maintenance cost inclusion
- Leased facility treatment
- Audit verification steps
- Disclosure of methodology
- Impact on overhead pools
- Common misallocations
- Corrective action process
Module 9. FAR Part 31 Deep Dive
Connect cost allowability rules directly to contract performance and billing compliance.
12 chapters in this module
- Allowability criteria
- Reasonable vs. allocable
- Documentation burden
- Treatment of bonuses
- Travel cost limits
- Conference expenses
- Legal fees
- Insurance costs
- Advertising and promotion
- Bad debt
- Fines and penalties
- Cost impact analysis
Module 10. Audit Defense and DCAA Readiness
Prepare for audits with confidence using proven documentation and communication strategies.
12 chapters in this module
- DCAA inspection sequence
- Document request response
- Interview preparation
- Timeline reconstruction
- Rate proposal defense
- Disclosure statement audit
- Common findings and fixes
- Internal mock audit
- Corrective action reports
- Working with ACOs
- Handling disallowed costs
- Lessons from past engagements
Module 11. Cross-Regulation Alignment
Harmonize CAS, FAR, GAAP, and internal financial systems without conflict.
12 chapters in this module
- GAAP vs. CAS timing differences
- Internal reporting alignment
- ERP system configuration
- Timekeeping integration
- Billing system rules
- Consolidation challenges
- Internal audit coordination
- SOX compliance overlap
- Data integrity checks
- Change management process
- Training for finance teams
- Documentation standards
Module 12. Building a Self-Reinforcing Compliance Practice
Turn mastery into repeatable, scalable systems that compound across contracts and teams.
12 chapters in this module
- Template library creation
- Standard operating procedures
- Onboarding new projects
- Knowledge transfer framework
- Audit preparation cycle
- Continuous improvement
- Lessons learned integration
- Feedback from ACOs
- Benchmarking against peers
- Updating disclosure statements
- Scaling across divisions
- Long-term career positioning
How this maps to your situation
- When preparing for a DCAA audit
- During annual rate proposal development
- When onboarding a new government contract
- When updating the company’s disclosure statement
Before vs. after
Before
Navigating CAS and FAR rules with fragmented understanding and reactive documentation
After
Operating with deep, systematic command of federal cost accounting standards and producing audit-ready outputs
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 18, 24 hours total, designed for completion in 3, 4 weeks with part-time study
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic government contracting courses, this program focuses exclusively on the depth of cost accounting mastery required for senior roles in defense and aerospace finance, with real regulatory text interpretation and audit-grade documentation patterns.
Frequently asked
Is this course focused on DCAA audit preparation?
Yes, but beyond just audit prep, it builds foundational mastery of CAS and FAR cost principles so you can operate confidently year-round.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Are the templates customizable?
Yes, all templates are provided in editable format for adaptation to your organization's systems.
$199 one-time. Approximately 18, 24 hours total, designed for completion in 3, 4 weeks with part-time study.
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours