Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How fast can we get started?

Upon receipt of your payment for a Light2 license, a password-protected Web page is created for you on the CCAS Web server. This page will allow you to download the software and documentation necessary to install and run Light...IMMEDIATELY. Your Light software installation and documentation CD is shipped to you at the same time. Because Light2 ships pre-configured - with a standard chart-of-accounts, a default cost structure, sample projects, vendors and employees - you could actually begin processing transactions through Light2 upon its installation. This, of course, also means that you'll be able to immediately respond to any DCAA or other government auditor's "Preaward Survey".

Describe the typical user of CCAS software?

Companies using Light2 and C'estTime are typically small businesses employing from as few as seven to as many as several hundred individuals. Spread across the United States, the vast majority of our users are service businesses whose principal customers are the departments and agencies of the US Federal Government and whose principal costs are labor, labor related costs and other costs incurred in the performance of their contracts.

What are the hardware requirements for running CCAS software?

Windows (Intel or AMD processors) and Macintosh computers of a relatively recent "vintage" are completely adequate. While dedicated "Server" hardware can be employed, robust workstations can also be effectively employed as the "Host", or "Server", computer. As is generally true, the more robust your hardware the better your performance will be. Note that any combination of Windows and Macintosh computers can be used to run our software. For more details our Software page.

What operating systems and computing platforms are supported?

When running Light as either "Host" or "Client", WIndows 2000 Professional, Windows XP and XP Professional as well Vista are fully supported as is Mac OS X v.10.2 and greater. With regard to C'estTime, CCAS's electronic timekeeping software, any operating system that can run a JavaScript capable browser is supported for user time charge entries via the Web. For more details our Software page.

Does your software include all the functionality of "normal" accounting software?

Yes. Light is a complete financial AND project cost accounting solution. Included in Light2 is general ledger, financial statements, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, extensive Ad Hoc reporting and even fixed assets and depreciation. In many systems these features constitute "options" and additional license fees.

Realistically, how much additional support will be required to get up-and-running?

From the outset we have recognized that no two companies are alike. While there are many similarities between companies large and small, each has its own defining characteristics. Some users want - and need - to get up-and-running quickly. We have seen our software become fully functional within days of its installation - with no additional expenditure by the user for installation and configuration support services. Other users take a more measured approach, spending anywhere from weeks to months in "getting it just right". In all cases, Light2 is ready for use upon its installation. On average, users have engaged us or consultants for three days of installation and configuration support services in getting their software operational.

The notion that you will spend the same amount on installation support as you spend for the software license simply doesn't apply in the case of CCAS software.

What do you mean when you say that Light is "self-reconciling"? What's the real significance?

Most CPA's will tell you that an important first step in the examination of a company's books is a thorough analysis of it's balance sheet accounts: from cash to accounts receivable and payable to fixed assets and salaries payable. The thinking here is that if the balance sheet is accurate, the company's books are generally accurate. Income statement reclassifications may be necessary, but the bottom line is probably fairly presented.

Light2 offers inline support for the continuous reconciliation of those balance sheet accounts that are most important, and which are most likely to present problems. For most companies with labor intensive businesses, reconciling the salaries payable and fixed asset accounts are real challenges (translation: difficult and, if performed by your accountants, costly). Light2's reconciliations help insure that your books are always as complete and accurate as possible, and this with a minimum of effort and cost.

Are Light and C'estTime approved by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)?

CCAS Light and C'estTime (electronic timekeeping) have been approved by DCAA at user sites across the United States. We know of no occasion where our software has not been approved by DCAA. It is important to note, however, that Government auditors, including those of the DCAA (Defense Contract Audit Agency), approve accounting systems based solely upon each user's implementation of software - not the software itself. Government auditors, by regulation, do not support or endorse the accounting software of any vendor.

Does your software require that my accounting staff be highly trained and experienced?

Our software is being run effectively by accounting staff of all levels of experience and expertise. By virtue of our software's design and inductive interface, any enthusiastic user that can use a computer can use our software, and use it well. Our software has the truly unique capability of simultaneously performing the accounting (as all accounting software must) and, at the same time, educating less experienced staff in all areas of financial and project cost accounting - and government contracts accounting as well.

Does Light compute indirect cost rates and can it allocate indirect costs to projects?

Absolutely. Light computes year-to-date Fringe Benefit, Overhead, Off-Site Overhead, General and Administrative (G&A), and Material Handling indirect cost rates for any specified period for which costs exist in your books. Light allows you to fully configure your cost structure so it is you that decides which rates are actually used in the allocation of indirect costs to final cost objectives (projects).

Additionally, you have the option of using actual indirect cost rates as computed by Light or other indirect cost rates (such as budgeted rates) when allocating indirect costs to contracts. Simply put, Light2 provides you with full control over your indirect cost rate structure and the reporting of project costs "loaded" with allocated indirect costs.

Does Light generate government billings on government forms?

Yes. Light2 generates government invoices on either a cost or hours incurred basis as well as on a fixed-price basis. These invoices are printed to government forms SF1034 and SF1035 (substitute) and DD Form 250. Non-government invoices can be generated on the same basis as government invoices as well as on a units delivered basis and their format is fully customizable.

What is included in your annual software support and maintenance agreement?

Included is full support and maintenance of our software and access to periodic software updates. We'll expeditiously respond to any questions you have with the operation of our software and should any problem with our software be discovered, we'll resolve it with the very same sense of urgency.

While eight (8) hours of direct support - which can take the form of installation support or system design an configuration assistance - is included with each Light2 license purchase (without regard to the number of "seats" purchased), our annual maintenance agreement does not include general business consultation or system design services.

Does your software support Divisions and Cost Centers?

Yes, Light and C'estTime fully support financial and job cost reporting by Division or Cost Center. Additionally, Light2 can handle the maintenance and calculation of important indirect cost rates by Cost Center.

Will we be able to export accounting data for analysis outside of your software?

Yes, virtually all data that Light and C'estTime maintains can be quickly and easily exported for further analysis in spreadsheet or other common business applications - assuming that the user has been given authorization to do this via Light's "User Access" controls.

Is your software updated regularly?

Yes. Light2 and C'estTime are regularly updated. Each update brings the introduction of new or refined functionality and/or performance enhancements. We value input from our users and their recommendations are, whenever possible, incorporated in updates to our software.

Software Support and Answers to FAQ


Here you'll find answers to questions typically asked about our software and the support we provide for it. If your questions are not among those addressed, please let us know.

For Light and C'estTime users, CCAS's periodic emailings and your Web page remains your primary source for product updates and information. Note: An update to Light 2.0v1, build no. 5222008 (posted June 27, 2008), is now available for downloading from your Web page on the CCAS Support Server. If you are not certain of how to access this page, or have any difficulty in accessing your Web page, please contact us by email or at the telephone number that can be found in your Light & C'estTime "Quick Start Guide".