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DCAA Issues (Mis)Guidance on Expressly Unallowable Costs

Client Alert | 1 min read | 02.23.15

On January 7, 2015, DCAA issued guidance to auditors for determining whether certain costs are "expressly unallowable" – and therefore subject to penalties – even when the regulations "do not state in direct terms that the cost is unallowable." This guidance, which is intended to "enhance" the equally troubling December 18 guidance to similar effect, is inconsistent with the CAS 405 definition of "expressly unallowable cost" (i.e., "a particular item or type of cost which, under the express provisions of an applicable law, regulation, or contract, is specifically named and stated to be unallowable") and will likely lead to confusion in the audit process and undoubtedly result in DCAA auditors assessing more penalties against contractors on dubious grounds.

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Client Alert | 9 min read | 10.28.25

Key Takeaways from a Consequential Month of Russia-Related Sanctions

The United States, European Union, and United Kingdom have significantly escalated Russia-related sanctions the past month, including the Trump Administration’s first sanctions directly imposed on Russia. These coordinated actions—which particularly target the Russian energy sector—indicate that Russia sanctions remain on the geopolitical agenda and require multinational companies to remain vigilant in their compliance with those sanctions....