DCAA vs DCMA: What’s the Difference?

Written by: Tara Cannon

What are the key differences between engagements with the DCAA and DCMA during the government contracting proposal, pre-award and post-award processes? Read on to learn each agency’s area of specialization, factors for meeting compliance requirements and how best to engage with either agency when required by your specific government contracts. 

In This Article

• Introduction to DCAA and DCMA
• What is DCAA in Government Contracting?
• The Role of the Federal Acquisition Regulation
• What is the Role of DCMA in Contract Compliance?
• Differences Between DCAA and DCMA
• Factors for Meeting Compliance Requirements

For government contractors, understanding the distinction between the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) can save time and confusion when either agency approaches.

The DCAA focuses on auditing and financial compliance, ensuring contractors’ accounting systems and cost proposals meet federal regulations and standards. In contrast, the DCMA is responsible for contract administration—overseeing performance, delivery and quality to ensure contractors fulfill all contractual obligations.

While DCAA scrutinizes the financial integrity of contracts, DCMA manages the day-to-day execution, working directly with contractors to drive successful outcomes for the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies.

The DCAA’s core mission is to provide contract audit and financial advisory services to the DoD to ensure that taxpayer dollars spent on contracts comply with regulations, primarily the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS). Through their audits, the DCAA scrutinizes contractors’ accounting systems, cost proposals and internal controls, safeguarding both the government’s interests and the public trust. For government contractors, understanding the DCAA’s role in contracting can help point to long-term success in the federal marketplace.

Who is Subject to DCAA Audits?

Any organization seeking to do business with the DoD is subject to the FAR or Defense Federal Acquisition Supplement (DFARS), but DCAA audits are often performed for certain contract types or for contracts over a certain dollar threshold. Contracting officers can also request audits such as a Pre-Award Survey of Contractor’s Accounting System, or an SF 1408. Both prime contractors and their subcontractors, regardless of size or tenure in the industry can be subject to DCAA audits. For example, a small engineering firm bidding on a DoD research contract must demonstrate the same accounting rigor as a multinational defense supplier. Even companies providing specialized consulting or IT services to federal agencies may find themselves under the DCAA’s microscope if their contracts involve cost reimbursement or time-and-materials billing structures.

How does DCAA Determine if Contractors are in Compliance with FAR and CAS?

When evaluating contractors’ accounting systems against the FAR and CAS, they are ensuring that the system has controls to segregate allowable and unallowable costs and that there is a logical and consistent method of allocating indirect costs across projects or contracts. It’s important to note that when referring to an “accounting system,” DCAA considers both the physical or electronic system or software used for accounting as well as the business processes and procedures for performing accounting functions. Contractors must maintain detailed records—think timekeeping logs, payroll data and expense reports—that are consistent and readily auditable. Employee audit training and regular internal reviews of processes further fortify compliance, reducing the risk of costly audit findings.

Audit Mechanisms Used by DCAA

The DCAA employs a suite of audit mechanisms tailored to different stages of the contract lifecycle. Pre-award audits assess the reasonableness of proposed costs and the adequacy of a contractor’s accounting system before a contract is signed. 

Post-award audits move into incurred costs, verifying that billed expenses are allowable, allocable and reasonable under contract terms. Specialized audits—such as progress payment reviews, cost allowability checks and closeout audits—ensure ongoing and final compliance. The DCAA’s comprehensive approach, from risk assessments to field audits and final reports, underscores the agency’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

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The FAR is the backbone of federal procurement, shaping how government agencies award, manage and audit contracts. For government contracting firms, the FAR governs the entire acquisition lifecycle, from initial solicitation to final closeout. When the DCAA steps in to audit, the FAR’s provisions become the yardstick by which compliance, integrity and value are measured.

Overview of FAR and Related Acronyms

The FAR, codified in Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, is a sweeping set of rules jointly issued by the DoD, General Services Administration (GSA) and NASA. Its 53 parts address everything from acquisition planning to contract administration, helping to ensure that every transaction is conducted with transparency and competition at its core. FAR’s reach is complemented by related regulatory frameworks—such as the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and the Navy Marine Corps Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NMCARS)—which tailor requirements for specific agencies or contract types.

Risks Associated with Noncompliance

Noncompliance with FAR can have far-reaching consequences. A failed DCAA audit can trigger repercussions: disallowed costs, contract termination, suspension, or even debarment from future government work. Civil penalties may reach up to three times the contract value, while criminal violations can result in imprisonment for those individuals responsible. 

Beyond the immediate financial and legal fallout, noncompliance can potentially erode trust with federal agencies and may even permanently damage a firm’s standing in the marketplace.

The DCMA ensures that government contracts are executed with integrity and value. For government contracting firms, DCMA’s oversight weaves through every phase of the contract lifecycle, from pre-award risk assessments to the final closeout. The DCMA assesses against the FAR and DFARS, as well as Earned Value Management System (EVMS), CAS, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), and Material Management and Accounting System (MMAS), among others. It can also uphold contract-specific requirements or quality system requirements. The agency’s mission is to uphold the government’s interests by verifying that contractors deliver quality products and services on time, within budget and under contract terms.

DCMA’s reach is not limited to the Department of Defense; it extends to other federal agencies, making its oversight a universal requirement for firms seeking to do business with the federal government. Whether a company is manufacturing advanced avionics or providing logistical support, DCMA’s involvement ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and that the warfighter receives what is promised from a contract.

Who is Subject to DCMA Audits?

Like with the DCAA, any firm awarded a government contract—large or small, prime or subcontractor—may be subject to DCMA oversight. If DCMA involvement is required, it will be spelled out in the contract itself. This includes maintaining comprehensive documentation, accurate cost and pricing data and effective management systems for quality, schedule and technical performance. For example, a small business supplying components for military vehicles must demonstrate not only that its products meet technical specifications, but also that its internal controls and supplier management practices align with DCMA expectations.

Functions and Duties of DCMA

The DCMA provides pre-award support, identifying potential performance risks and evaluating contractor management systems. Once a contract is awarded, DCMA monitors performance, manages contract modifications and ensures compliance with delivery schedules and quality standards. It also administers the Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) system for invoice processing, reviews Earned Value Management Systems and oversees government-furnished property and equipment. In contract termination cases, DCMA negotiates settlements and ensures the proper disposition of assets.

While both DCMA and the DCAA are pillars of government contract oversight, their roles are distinct yet complementary. DCAA is responsible for performing contract audits—it examines contractors' accounting systems, reviews cost proposals, and verifies compliance with federal financial regulations such as the FAR, DFARS and CAS. DCMA handles contract administration, including monitoring performance, product quality, and delivery schedules.

Both agencies ultimately protect government interests, but while DCAA ensures the numbers add up, DCMA ensures the work gets done—on time, on budget, and to specification.

Federal contracts frequently incorporate comprehensive systems, proactive management, and established accountability processes to meet compliance standards.

Strategies for Small Businesses

Small businesses pursuing federal contracts must meet DCAA requirements for maintaining auditable records and transparent processes. A compliant accounting system implements controls supporting FAR and CAS requirements, including mechanisms for segregating allowable from unallowable costs and allocating indirect costs across projects or contracts. Compliant timekeeping practices, documentation, and audit trails are also required elements of these systems.

Timekeeping is a key component of regulatory compliance for federal contractors. DCAA requires daily time recording and documented justification for any modifications. Internal audits and employee training are established methods for reducing time tracking errors. Automated timekeeping systems and integrated project management tools can provide standardized processes for recording and managing time data.

Common Compliance Challenges and Solutions

Federal contract audits frequently identify specific compliance issues, including timekeeping discrepancies, cost allocation errors, and documentation gaps. Documented policies and software systems built with compliance in mind are components of successful contractor compliance programs that meet federal requirements.

Ultimately, maintaining compliance with the standards that DCAA and DCMA assess against is not a one-time event but a continuous process.

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