Jun 4, 2010

Thomas Marcinko

No Comments

 Email This Post

482 view(s)

Government Contracting: Look Before You Leap!

Entering the government contracting sector seems especially enticing during a recession. While contracting may be a good fit for your business, make sure you’re aware of the unique aspects of dealing with the government.

Government contracting is big business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Federal procurement spending in Virginia across all agencies totaled $53.9 billion in 2008.  Historically, some have considered federal government work to be a safe haven during uncertain economic times. While profit margins on government contracts are relatively low, Uncle Sam tends to be a reliable and potentially long-term customer. During the current recession, the lack of private sector work combined with “stimulus” spending under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is causing some companies to consider government contracting. Many of these companies are small businesses.  Contracting with the federal government imposes requirements on companies not commonly found in the commercial market. By and large, the government is spending taxpayer dollars. Understandably, the government requires much greater visibility into how dollars are spent than is typically required in the private sector.

Read entire article at VSCPA site for an overview of some of the unique aspects of government contract accounting and the challenges that commercial companies will encounter as they move into the government market.

Tom Marcinko and Bill Foote, CPA, are with Aronson & Company, a nationally ranked top-50 accounting and consulting firm. As a member of Aronson’s Government Contracts Services Group, Tom assists clients with both pre- and post-award contract administration, compliance and other regulatory requirements. Bill serves as an officer in the firm’s Forensic & Valuation Services Group, where he assists government contractors with valuation projects and contract disputes. He is also a member of the VSCPA Editorial Task Force. Contact Tom at tmarcinko@aronsoncompany.com and Bill at bfoote@aronsoncompany.com.