College Outreach Chairperson

As a Government Contract Consultant, Melanie Burgess delivers professional and knowledgeable support in areas of contract management and accounting. Melanie provides expert advice in preparation for DCAA audits (e.g. establishing an adequate system in accordance with FAR Part 31, performing mock audits, and responding to audit reports). She specializes in QuickBooks design and operation for Government Contractors to include reporting needs for accounting, contracts, and program managers as well as working with companies using Deltek GCS, Vision, and Costpoint to ensure proper project setup and rate calculation.  Melanie offers services in proposal preparation (e.g. pricing strategy, indirect rate development), contract and subcontract administration, compliance (e.g. developing policies, training employees, conducting internal audits), ensuring proper job cost reporting, incurred cost proposal development and reviews, and a variety of other financial and contractual services

Prior to forming Burgess Consulting, LLC, Melanie was a Senior Consultant in a prominent regional accounting firm where she worked with companies varying in size from start-ups to those with revenues in excess of $100 million.  Melanie also assisted contractors in preparing for DCAA audits; budgeting; indirect and provisional rate development; proposal pricing; compliance with federal procurement regulations and internal audits; established and implemented policies and procedures, and developed disclosure statements in accordance with the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

Melanie began her career in Government Contracting with a large defense contractor where she managed contracts and performed financial analysis.  She expanded her experience and industry knowledge by performing technical work and spending time working at a Government facility supporting radar systems.  These experiences brought together the multiple functions needed to properly manage contracts: accounting, contracts, and program management.

Melanie is a Certified Public Accountant as recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia; is a Certified Federal Contract Manager (CFCM); is a member of the Boulder Chamber; holds a Master’s Certificate in Government Contracting and Master’s in Accounting from Old Dominion University; and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Mary Washington. She is a distinguished graduate from the National Contract Management Association’s (NCMA) Leadership Development Program.  Melanie currently serves on NCMA’s Leadership Development Program’s Oversight Committee designed to assess and improve the program each year.  Previously she served as Secretary, Vice President, and President of the Norfolk, VA, NCMA chapter.  She is a frequent lecturer on leadership and government contracting topics both locally and across the United States.