Public procurement is a world full of precise rules and merciless deadlines. Between the clauses of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the nuances of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and evolving auditing expectations, even experienced executives can feel overwhelmed.
It can be more difficult for smaller teams because they have to set rates, track time and pricing work, while also preparing for reviews that could stop billing. What are the best government contract consulting companies? Eight firms feature hands-on capabilities, improved transparency and risk controls that help contractors stay compliant and grow.
1. BOOST
THRUST
focuses on the GovCon market and provides outsourced back office solutions for contractors. Services include accounting and payroll, contract management, human resources and recruiting, and compliance training. The model is designed to integrate across functions, helping founders and finance leaders close capacity gaps and move faster during growth spurts.
The provider emphasizes practical compliance in areas GovCons face on a daily basis, including indirect rate structure, cost volume development, and staff scaling according to contract requirements. What stands out is the focus on small and medium-sized contractors who want enterprise-level processes without building a large permanent team.
2. BDO
BDO is a global company with one of the largest government contracting companies. It is supported by a Government Contracting Center of Excellence, which publishes ongoing guidance and training.
The team supports the entire contract lifecycle, from market entry and system selection to audit readiness and disputes, serving both emerging contractors and multinational companies. BDO’s public materials highlight reporting on the financial, tax, compliance and corporate systems used in GovCon, helping clients align their operations with federal expectations.
3. RTI advice
FTI Consulting has extensive experience in risk mitigation and dispute resolution for government contractors. Practice descriptions include consulting in the areas of FAR and CAS compliance, internal controls, fraud and investigations, cost accounting, claims analysis, and litigation support. This mix is useful when you are facing a high-risk audit, accounting challenge, or claims scenario and need an experienced employee who understands legal and financial issues.
4. Cherry Bekaert
Cherry Bekaert’s GovCon practice is part of a national accounting and advisory platform comprised of advisors with experience in the defense contracting environment. The company offers support for business systems, admissibility, audit preparation and ongoing compliance, suitable for contractors looking for daily controls and audit readiness. Its positioning focuses on improving profitability while staying within legal limits – handy for contractors who need to defend indirect rates and manage evolving cost policies.
5. Forvis Mazars
Forvis Mazars provides accounting and consulting services across the public sector with a strong focus on cybersecurity. The company claims to be an authorized C3PAO and publishes guidance on cybersecurity assessments and preparedness, which is critical for defense contractors that must demonstrate compliance with the 32 CFR Part 170 rule. If your priority is to close gaps in NIST 800-171 or prepare for Level 2, this focus can reduce uncertainty and work.
6. Federal schedules
Federal Schedules is a niche company specializing in scheduling consulting for the US General Services Administration (GSA) and Veterans Affairs. It provides comprehensive support, from eligibility determination and strategy through to bid development, awarding and post-award management. Contractors who need help with contract maintenance will find value in a team that works in this niche on a daily basis.
Longevity is also important – FEDSched has experience dating back to the 1980s, bringing pattern recognition to negotiations and changes. It could be a good fit if your short-term goal is to secure a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) award or expand coverage of specific SKUs.
7. Victory Consulting
Victura Consulting focuses on the financial side of government contracts. Its website highlights work on CAS disclosure statements, indirect rate design, and FAR and CAS compliant contract billing and billing processes.
This is a benefit for finance executives who need hands-on help revising cost structures or improving billing accuracy. The company also offers data analytics and models for price and margin transparency.
8. Accenture
Accenture is a global technology and consulting provider with a large presence in the public sector. The federal and civil service materials highlight digital transformation in the areas of data, cloud, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and legacy modernization. If you’re leading a large program with complex technology changes or multi-agency dependencies, Accenture’s sizing and delivery methods are designed for enterprise-level initiatives.
Our methodology for selecting the best GovCon consulting firms
To guide selection based on actual demand, this list examined the signals that matter most to contractors. It evaluated providers based on the following four criteria:
- Industry specialization: favoring teams that pay particular attention to the public procurement market and understand its rhythms
- Demonstrated Expertise: Demonstrated fluency in Defense Contract Audit Agency, FAR and CAS requirements and experience preparing or supporting audits
- Comprehensive Services: Vendors that can cover accounting, human resources, recruiting, contracts, and pricing, so contractors don’t have to manage many vendors
- Scalability and Customer Focus: Ability to support small and medium-sized businesses that often require partial guidance to mature their systems
The GSA reports that buyers continued to spend through MASs, generating more than $51.5 billion in sales in 2024. This demand indicator highlights the value of advice and compliance support across the industry.
In parallel, the professional, scientific and technical services sector is expected to grow by 10.5% from 2023 to 2033. These numbers underscore the ongoing need for specialized consulting skills on which GovCon relies.
Matching scope to the strategy
The best public procurement consulting partner is the one that fits your phase, risk profile and goals. If you need to ensure compliant back-office functions as you build a pipeline, a GovCon-exclusive specialist can shorten the journey from contract to execution. When faced with audits, claims, or a realignment of controls, a conflict-experienced advisor will provide structure and focus. If your program is based on cloud and data modernization, a global system partner can help you scale.
Whatever a business needs, these eight companies offer opportunities to grow within the rules and compete with clarity. The next step is to identify your gaps, determine your desired outcome, and adjust accordingly.
