Helpful Links
www.charlestondca.org
SCS Upcoming Events Lunch and Learn Series
"Knock, Knock, Who's There? DCAA!! Who are they...and what do they want with us?"
November 8, 2012 in Charleston, SC
For more information and to register for the event,
Compliance in a Bag
"Managing DCAA Audits"
November 15, 2012 in Fayetteville, NC
For more information and to register for the event,
*EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS* SCS will be hosting TWO educational GovCon Seminars this Fall 2012 Annual SCS Government Contracting Seminar Oak Ridge DoubleTree Hotel October 10, 2012 For more information and to register for the event, 2012 SCS North Carolina Government Contracting Seminar Wake Tech Community College, Raleigh, NC October 25, 2012 For more information and to register for the event, CLICK HERE Visit our website often for updates on these and other events. www.scsconsults.com
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Greetings!
Recently I attended a session hosted by the Training Manager at Dollywood, here in East Tennessee. It was a great learning event for me that I felt compelled to share through our newsletter. For those of you not familiar with Dollywood, it's a theme park located in Pigeon Forge, TN that is owned by Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment. What amazed me is that their success is attributable to how they hold to their core values and beliefs. Their mission is 'We Create Memories Worth Repeating'. At first, that doesn't really sound so compelling. But hearing how the company treats their customers (Guests, as they call them) and Employees (Hosts, as they call them) is what really amazed me. Their goal is for every Guest to be 100% satisfied with their visit. This may involve compensating them for something that didn't work well for them. They realize that there may be occasions where someone does take advantage of their policy, but they believe that it is worth it to make sure everyone has a pleasant experience. They realize that they would not be where they are if they didn't provide this type of experience to their customers.
When it comes to their employees or Hosts, they also want to make sure they enjoy their job. They know that it's important for them to feel that they are making a difference and to see that difference. They conduct various types of training. They do employee surveys to find out what's working and what's not working. They celebrate their accomplishments. They offer trust and respect to their employees, but they hold them accountable. They give them the right to fail, but teach them how to grow from that failure.
One of the last things they went over with us was a program they call 'Pay It Forward'. This is a foundation where employees contribute an amount from their check. The owners and the company both match this amount. So if an employee only contributes $1 per paycheck, that now becomes $3. This money is used to help employees in times of need. They have different programs that this used for including emergencies, temporary assistance, and scholarships.
While everything I heard is very unique and would not apply to most GovCon businesses, it emphasizes the importance that Dollywood places on their customers and employees. They realize that you must live your core values in everything you do. And it's obvious that they do. The GovCon industry, as a whole, is approaching very uncertain times. Now, more than ever, customer focus and attention to your employees are essential, and I think it becomes even more critical to 'do the right thing' and stick to your values and beliefs.
Regards,
Laura Davis,
President
Strategic Consulting Solutions
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* Sequestration Updates *
Sequestration Worst-Case Scenario: $45B in Cancelled Programs
Dan Parson
National Defense Magazine
Defense contractors take note...the potential budget cuts mandated by law this coming January could have a disproportionate affect on DoD contracts. Though budget experts don't guarantee that sequestration will actually take place, they encourage DoD contractors to prepare. Read more HERE
Comptroller Outlines Continuing Resolution, Sequestration
by Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service
The continuing resolution the Senate approved Sept. 22 and the president is expected to sign this week will affect short- and long-term Defense Department spending in coming months, a senior defense official said today.
Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale spoke on "Financing Defense: Strategies for Leaner Times" at a Government Executive defense briefing series event... Read the entire article HERE
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Did You Know?...
We were recently asked that if you change the leave accrual in the Employee Earnings Record of GCS Premier, will that update the accrual in Time Collection? The answer is yes, as long as it's within the same calendar year. The leave accrual pulls from that table and will update any values in Time Collection. Keep in mind that changing an accrual in the Employee Earnings Record will not change the general ledger. Be extremely careful in making changes to the Employee Earnings Record - access should be limited so that the integrity of the file is maintained.
Do you have a tip or a trick that you've discovered with your Deltek product that others might find useful? If so, share it with us and you could win an Amazon Kindle! One winner will be drawn from all submissions on October 31st. Submit your entry HERE
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 We're in the RACE...are you?
As most of you are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Most of you also probably know someone affected either directly or indirectly by the disease. As a matter of fact, Strategic Consulting Solutions has two survivors on our staff. In support and recognition of their struggles and victories, we have again created a team for this year's Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure! It's not too late to start a team for your organization OR you can join our team "Accountants for a Cure"...just click HERE
Follow Our New Blog!
One of our main goals is to keep our customers and colleagues informed and up to date on issues that concern their business. That's why we've started a blog! We will be posting in-depth, accounting and compliance focused information to keep you ahead of the game. To follow the blog, click HERE
IT Merger
SCS would like to congratulate our IT partner RTL Technologies for their recent merger with The IT Company. We have utilized RTL's services for many years and look forward to a continued commitment into the future. Read more about the merger HERE
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Contractors Wary as DCAA Seeks More Internal Documents
by Marjorie Censer
If you have ever been through a DCAA audit, you know how invasive the process can be. Well, indications are that its only going to get worse. We at SCS have seen some of the new processes first hand. No longer can you say that the information DCAA is requesting doesn't apply to your situation and simply ignore the request. We are seeing auditors follow us to the file cabinet and watch us make the requested copies in real-time!. Find out more as to why these requests are being made HERE
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10 things to ask before ... Pursuing a government contract
Washington Business Journal
Many of you are seasoned government contractors, but many are still feeling their way through the the "system". Beginner or season, there are still a few fundamentals to consider when considering govcon options. A few are outlined HERE
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Employers of Veterans Have Until October 31, 2012 to File VETS-100 and VETS-100A Reports...
By Beth P. Zoller
Federal contractors that employ veterans have until October 31, 2012 to file the VETS-100 or VETS-100A report, thanks to a recent extension provided by the Veteran's Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the US Department of Labor (DOL). The prior deadline was September 30, 2012. All paper reports and electronic files received by VETS by October 31, 20102 will be included as part of the 2012 filing cycle and will not be considered late. Read the full article HERE
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Additional Reading on Government Contracting Issues
We all know how government contracting and the agencies involved are constantly changing. Here are a few more resources to help you stay in tune.
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About Strategic Consulting Solutions
Strategic Consulting Solutions is the leading provider of compliant solutions to government contractors. SCS specializes in Deltek software sales and implementation, complete accounting outsourcing, contract compliance support, contract administration and general accounting support. Whether you are new to contracting, or a seasoned contractor managing multiple, complex projects, we can help you to understand government cost accounting requirements, implement systems and processes to achieve compliance, assist you through DCAA audits, and help you accurately manage and streamline your business processes. Our team consists of professionals with extensive finance and government contracting experience. We understand the complexities of government contracting and strive to help our clients find the appropriate solutions to all of their contracting issues. |
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We focus on compliance
so you can focus on your business |
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