[Anonymous]

This is my goal after obtaining my cpa.

[MobyDick]

I work for the Fed Government…it's not a bad gig.

FAR--(5/27/14) 90
REG--(8/11/14) 90
AUD--(10/1/14) 88
BEC--(11/24/14) 89 Done!!
Virginia CPA License (12/24/14)

100% Becker CPA Self-Study

CISA (2010) CISSP (2012)

[Anonymous]

I work for the Federal Government.

It has it's pros and cons. There are some aspects that, straight up, make you want to scream about how stupid it is. But it's a pretty stress free environment and the pay is decent.

The big thing is that you need to be a “self starter” or “self motivator” or whatever term they use these days. If you don't push yourself, it's doubtful that others will be pushing you.

I work in an Accounting area but I don't feel any real pressure from work to get my license. In fact I think on my team of 12, only my supervisor has her CPA license so I'll be the second. That hasn't stopped me though. I want my license for personal reasons and because I don't know that I'll be with the Government for life.

If you have, specific, questions about working for the Government, go ahead and ask and I'll do my best to answer.

[Anonymous]

What govt agency?

[leglock]

is the only way to get in via USAJOBS.com?

[takingnotes]

I also work for the Federal Government and there's more pressure for me to take the CGFM than the CPA. I'm focusing on the CPA for personal reasons but I think the CGFM is more applicable for Federal Government accounting.

[Anonymous]

Aside from USAJOBS you might want to look at the listing for your specific state government jobs. There were a lot of interesting financial/accounting ones at least in my state (WA state). My area also does city level jobs on their own site.

[Anonymous]

I work for the Department of Defense.

Yeah, all Federal Government jobs are through usajobs.gov. One thing to keep in mind is that people already in the government and veterans get preference over someone from the outside. But you just need to keep trying.

My coworker is starting to study for the CGFM a bit and is putting off the CPA. I, actually, don't qualify yet because I haven't been with the Government long enough (you need two years). So nobody has tried to push me towards it yet.

[Lion_of_the_Rock]

My wife is a CPA for the Man and has put in about 10 years. She works 40 hours a week and teleworks all the time and pulls in a sweet paycheck. You can't beat it for the pay per hours worked. Cons would be the commute if you live in the DC Metro area and the overpriced real estate.

And for those wondering what “sweet” means it is 6 figures and change. But, like I said, that doesn't buy too much in the DC area, pretty much a townhouse and a decent car.

BEC - 78
AUD - 75
REG - 74, 79
FAR - 75

You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

[mw798]

Guaranteed pay increases, easy promotions based on tenure and not merit, easy hours, high pay after a few years (six figures and above), fantastic benefits, easy life.

Yes a lot of people aspire to get into the Fed Gov't. All my friends who started for the Fed Gov't or got out of college or within a few years into their careers make mid six figures ($120k+) now and most work a 40 hour work week. One even works a flex schedule (4 days a week/10 hours a day and get the Friday off).

You're not going to find a lot of places that will pay a staff accountant $115k a year, but the Fed Gov't does.

[ridiqls]

There's always pros and cons. Based on what I've read, flexibility and hours are the pros. Cons are pay compared to private, your coworkers may or may not be motivated and assholes. People get promoted unfairly from time to time and if you try to make gs13, some agencies require you to sign a mobility clause that states you can be relocated. Management positions past gs12 may require you to move to another branch or area in the nation. Some people who work hard may get a lot of work while those who slack won't get fired but get easy admin work.

Your work and audit may not get looked at for months, there's a long and repetitive chain of command for things so it can be frustrating.

The government however does have good pension plans, health insurance despite its lower pay. So it's really your call.

Also I dont think a CPA is necessary but it can't hurt. The only agency that requires it eventually I believe is the IRS. But I'm not 100% sure about that. I know the DCAA will pay for your cpa prep but i dont know if they require you to get your CPA in the first place.

Does anyone know what telework is and what kind of policies they have (and at which agency)? Is it that you can work remotely from home once a week or what are the details of this?

[Anonymous]

Really?! A a Staff Accountant 6 figures?

[Anonymous]

In my neck of the woods, a Staff Accountant with 1 year will pull in just over 60K a year. 6 figures is possible but you're looking around 10 years.

The way I always say it is that the pay for the Government starts MUCH better than in the Private sector but the ceiling is a lot lower. The Private sector pay starts a lot lower but the ceiling is much higher.

But like others have said, you can't beat the hours and the environment is pretty stress free all things considered. Right now I work from home 2 days a week and am allowed more if I want (I don't). But with the holidays coming up, telework is awesome.

[mw798]

“The way I always say it is that the pay for the Government starts MUCH better than in the Private sector but the ceiling is a lot lower.”

In my area, the opposite is true actually. You will start out at a low pay, like GS-6 ($45k), but with the Fed Gov't you will get a 10% to 15% pay increase every year or two until you reach the higher grades. And the ceiling is pretty high depending on your area. In my area, the ceiling for GS-15 is $160k which is what a director of Finance would make in private.

But again, it depends where you live and what agency is around you.

[mw798]

“Really?! A a Staff Accountant 6 figures?”

For example, just doing a quick search on USAJobs.gov brings this up:

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/382428800

Salary range for the position is $57,982.00 to $126,949.00 / Per Year

[Anonymous]

Where I live, a GS-06 starts at 38K a year. Getting to a GS-12 isn't too hard but after that it's much tougher. Getting to a GS-12 will still take a few years though and starts at just shy of $76K. A GS-15 is almost unheard of in my area.

[Author]

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