Join Baker Tilly and Archetype's exclusive webinar to explore how OneStream enhances cost accounting, people planning, and budgeting for government contractors.

Transforming government contracting with OneStream's solutions: Exclusive webinar with Archetype

Mastering financial agility: OneStream strategies for government contractors 

Colt Meraw is a director with Baker Tilly’s digital solutions practice. He specializes in finance transformation and has more than 10 years of experience in government contracting. Colt has senior leadership experience, managing financial planning and analysis (FP&A), pricing and financial system functions as a government contractor. He has a well-rounded background across business information systems, finance and accounting.

Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional

Colt Meraw is a director with Baker Tilly’s digital solutions practice.

Bachelor of Science in information systems and accounting

Bachelor of Science in finance with a minor in economics

Oversaw the FP&A, pricing, investment management and financial systems functions at a large not-for-profit government contractor

Led business system implementations across multiple workstreams and functional areas with expertise in enterprise resource planning and enterprise performance management software

Spearheaded the data conversion for a multibillion dollar public defense contractor acquisition, overseeing the end-to-end extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes between JAMIS and Deltek Costpoint 

Extensive experience leveraging business intelligence solutions including KPI selection, predictive analytics, data mining, on-demand reporting and data visualization

Developed change management plans and training programs for systems implementations and business process transformations

Formerly the senior director of finance and business analytics at a not-for-profit government contractor

Baker Tilly is proud to sponsor and attend Deltek ProjectCon 2024. ProjectCon is back this fall bringing together over 3,500 project-based business professionals, partners and industry experts for three days of learning and networking. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and solutions for government contractors, professional services firms and other project-based businesses.  Baker Tilly was Deltek's first strategic alliance partner to provide consulting services to their enterprise suite of business solutions. For four consecutive years, Baker Tilly has been named a Deltek Partner of the Year. Check back as the event nears for more information on speaking sessions. Learn more about Deltek ProjectCon here. Join our sessions:  Acquisitions Unlocked: Strategies for Successful GovCon M&A Date: Thursday, Nov. 14 
Time: 10:20 - 11:10 a.m.  Join Baker Tilly to better understand the complexities and strategies involved in successful mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the government contracting sector. Participants will learn about critical topics in the M&A process, including quality of earnings, due diligence, contract review  and compliance considerations, ERP system considerations, integration and overview of market trends, and how to navigate regulatory challenges unique to GovCon. The session will provide actionable insights and best practices for maximizing value and ensuring a smooth transition before, during and after acquisitions. Speakers: Kevin Brandt, Principal, Baker Tilly Ken Fleming, Principal, Baker Tilly Joe McCaffery, Principal, Baker Tilly  FP&A Best Practices for Government Contractors  Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13 
Time: 3:10 - 4 p.m.  Join Baker Tilly in a session dedicated to uncovering what effective FP&A looks like for government contractors. This session will focus on the processes essential for robust financial planning and analysis, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and performance measurement. Learn how to implement best practices that optimize resource allocation, ensure compliance, and support strategic decision-making. We will also cover the unique compliance challenges faced by government contractors and strategies to maintain adherence to regulatory requirements. Speakers:  Colt Meraw, Director, Baker Tilly  Shannon Ridge, Manager, Baker Tilly Navigating the Path to CMMC Compliance: Insights and Strategies from Industry Experts Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13 
Time: 4:20 - 5:10 p.m.  This panel session brings together leading CMMC experts to share their insights, experiences, and strategies for navigating the complex path to CMMC compliance. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the CMMC framework, practical steps for implementation, and common challenges faced by government contractors. The panel will also discuss best practices for maintaining compliance, the impact of recent updates to CMMC guidelines, and the role of third-party assessors. Whether your organization is just starting its CMMC journey or looking to enhance its current practices, this session will provide valuable guidance and actionable advice to help you understand CMMC compliance. Making Project Workforce Work for You with RPA Date: Thursday, Nov. 14 
Time: 2 - 2:50 p.m.  In the rapidly evolving landscape of government contracting, leveraging advanced technologies such as Robotic process automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) has become essential for maintaining a competitive edge. This session delves into practical applications and strategic advantages of integrating RPA, AI, and ML within your organization's operations. Hear from Costpoint client ECS, Baker Tilly, and Alirrium on how they've leveraged these technologies to improve their systems operations and efficiencies. Speakers: Bishesh Devkota, Principal, Baker Tilly Dave Hickey, Alirrium Brian Country   Scaling for Growth - Adapting your Accounting Processes and Costpoint Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13 
Time: 2 - 2:50 p.m. Scaling up can be nerve-wracking. Join Baker Tilly to better understand how to scale your accounting operations for growth by adapting both your processes and your Costpoint system. Participants will learn strategies to optimize Costpoint, enhance efficiency, and ensure compliance. This is the session for you if you're interested in driving sustainable financial growth and maintaining a competitive edge. Speakers: Rob O'Brien, Director, Baker Tilly Drew Lewis, Director, Baker Tilly  Accounting System Audits on the Rise: How Can You Be Ready?  Date: Thursday, Nov. 14 
Time: 4:20 - 5:10 p.m.  Join Baker Tilly for this session designed to equip government contractors with the essential knowledge and strategies to prepare for and navigate DCAA and DCMA audits successfully. Attendees will gain insights into the latest audit trends, compliance requirements, and best practices for maintaining robust accounting systems. We will share practical tips and case studies and real-world recommendations on how to ensure your organization is fully prepared to achieve successful audit outcomes. Speakers: Noah Leiden, Principal, Baker Tilly Mary Lukeski, Manager, Baker Tilly  Data Governance in a Generative AI World  Date: Thursday, Nov. 14 
Time: 3:10 - 4 p.m.  In the world of Generative AI, data governance isn’t just a necessity—it’s a game-changer. Without it, your projects and processes can come to a grinding halt due to issues of data privacy and quality. But with the right data governance, you can unlock incredible value, making your organization and its use of generative AI not only safer but also more effective. Join Baker Tilly to explore how data governance can be just as exciting and transformative as Generative AI itself. Speakers:  Taylor Ball, Experienced Manager, Baker Tilly Nathan Olson, Senior Manager, Baker Tilly  Learn more about Deltek here.

Colt Meraw

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Washington, DC

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Mastering financial agility: OneStream strategies for government contractors

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Deltek ProjectCon 2024