Functionality Decision Makers Need In A DCAA Timekeeping Application

By Ladonna Chambers


A DCAA timekeeping application gives government contractors the tools they need to enter their time. Government contracts require workers to accurately input their work times in a timely fashion. This data is used for more than issuing paychecks. The data is useful for managers in making important decisions. Time data must be entered according to a highly structured format. The interface to the application must enable the entry of this complex data structure with a user friendly interface.

The application must permit a consulting firm to customize their data to fit their data model. The company's pay periods, job descriptions, pay scales, and other data elements will have to be established and this requires a degree of customization. Managers must have access to the data via a web based user interface. Inputting of time data is but one piece of a whole application whose parts must work together in a coordinated manner.

The package enables the consulting company to be in line with government requirements. In accomplishing this, audit trails are created. A method of making corrections is required. The allocation of labor to the appropriate accounts is very important. All data entry must be done via a user friendly web based interface that hides the complexity of the business rules and data structures.

Time entry must be integrated, in a seamless fashion, with the full accounting application. The inputting of time data must include allocation to a specified task which is linked to the chart of accounts. In this way manager's can determine if projects are staying on budget and on schedule. The payroll data should be in a form that can be used by the major payroll processing software. A user friendly interface for supervisor approvals is necessary.

Tax forms like W-2s and 1099s can easily be produced during tax season to make it easy for workers to file income taxes. The fact that everything runs on the world wide web eliminates the need for expensive software and costly cumbersome upgrades and updates. Behind the scenes the system is complex, but this is hidden by the simplicity of a web browser interface.

Each application user is given an unique ID. A user can create their own password. The application is very secure. The end user has control of the entry of their information. Comments may be inserted to their time entries. Comments are accessible to managers and administrators. Sophisticated business rules control what projects and tasks workers are authorized to allocated time to. The data that is collected is a powerful managerial tool that helps keeps projects on budget and on schedule. A full menu of reports is available to assist decision makers in assigning tasks.

An email notification system notifies workers that their time input is needed, is incomplete, or if there are any problems. Managers are also notified about the status of the time entry process. Automatic emails keep all the players notified of any potential problems during the payroll process.

DCAA timekeeping is an important part of overseeing a government project. Software packages ought to possess the functions discussed here. The data ought to be collected via a web interface. The information derived from the system is am important management tool that helps complete projects on time and within the budget.




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