Category:Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

Overview

The Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) consist of 19 separate standards to related to cost accounting and the allocation of costs. The Cost Principles, FAR 31 relate to the cost accounting related to the allowability of costs.

History

In 1968 Congress asked the General Accounting Office (GAO) to study the feasibility of establishing and applying CAS to provide greater uniformity in cost accounting as a basis for negotiating and administering procurment contracts. The GAO concluded it was feasible to apply standards within the government contracting industry. Congress subsequently esablished the Cost Accounting Standards Board; CAS Board which in turn instituted the CAS. In 1980 after the standards were implemented, Congress decided to dissolve it, as it had fullfilled its mission. It was re-established in 1988.

CAS were designed to achieve uniformity and consistency in the measurement, assignment, and allocation of costs. CAS is not an onerous set of Government rules, regulations, and requirements, but a framework in government contractors can establish their own flexible methodologies within that framework.

The Office of Management and Budget within the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) is where administratevely the Cost Accouting Standards Board is functionally located. To learn more about the Board, it's members, to obtain meetin minutes, or Disclosure Forms, vist http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement_casb

References and Links

The following link provides a listing of and all relevant sections to the Cost Accounting Standards. http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=1a89b253678ad3fe26a04a21b635caf3&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title48/48cfr9904_main_02.tpl