[MsAvi77]

Hi All,

I’ve been looking into government jobs at the Treasury, SEC, and others. Does anyone here have a government job? I know that experiences vary drastically and I’ve heard some say that working for the state is a bit rough. I’m really curious about things like the work/life balance, office culture, and the stress level. Any input is very appreciated.

Thanks!

BEC 81
REG 81
FAR 76
AUD 76

Done Forever!!

[Anonymous]

Im with State of Texas and people here take their time in doing everything…moving from NY from a private company and seeing this was a experience..and now look at me surfing the web waiting for 5 o'clock 🙂 Work life balance is great but the pay is 25% below market especially in Texas government jobs.

[MsAvi77]

Did everyone get their Gov't jobs through networking or did anyone apply online? I know someone at the Fed but not really at the IRS or any other place I was looking into.

BEC 81
REG 81
FAR 76
AUD 76

Done Forever!!

[Quinacridone]

I have a Federal government job and love it. I'm an auditor embedded in the Department of Defense. I got my job originally through the federal gov'ts internship program (SCEP) which I found out about through my school. The best way to get a federal job, though, if you are out of school is through the USA.Jobs website. You can search open jobs by keyword (i.e. auditor), location, agency, etc.

(I do take a bit of offense to the comment here saying that gov't workers work 20 hours a week).

My work-life balance is awesome. Most weeks I work around 50 or so hours depending on where I am in an audit. Most days I am at work by 6:00 am and home by 5:00. When I'm in research or during lighter portions of an audit, I go to work at 6:30 and am home just after 4:00. I do work some weekends, but its because of my own personal demands and not because its required (I hate missing deadlines). I'm told this is pretty light/low-stress compared to auditors that work for Big 4 firms. I do get every other Friday off, but can't always take them in the hight of an audit – my boss normally comps my Fridays that I work and lets me bank them for after the audit as needed.

Pay: I get my next raise Aug 10. Then I will be making $68K a year. A senior CPA at a local firm in my area who has been working at her firm over 10 years makes $68K a year. I've been at my job for four years. I don't think my pay is sacrificed at all when I consider the area I live and the cost of living (which is relatively low).

Pension: check. Health Insurance: check.

The only thing I wish is that I worked with GAAP more, but since I love working with the military and my job is quite challenging and broad, I don't miss it too much.

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[silekta]

Look into Pathways Program:

https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads

[ridiqls]

Can we talk salaries for a second? I have tried to research this and it's not exactly here.

Most government jobs are on the GS scale and it looks like for the majority of people who are on this board, they would be starting either at GS7 or GS9 (if have masters). If you start at GS7 you start at $43,600 in the Los Angeles region. If you get to Step 10 it tops out at $56,000. That is not much at all. To make $60k-70k, you need to either work YEARS at the GS9 level or start at GS11.

Here's the chart https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/pdf/2014/LA.pdf

Are most people just working 1-2 years at GS7 then 1-2 at GS9 and then finally going to GS11? What is the average time frame for promotion through the GS levels? I'm guessing based on the salary charts, GS 11 is where you want to be MINIMUM unless you want to devote 15 years at GS9 to reach 60-70k. I would ideally like to make at least 65k-70k in 5 years time or less just curious if this is possible

How hard is it get promoted?

Also, is it possible for someone who just passed their CPA to go directly into government as a first job and get someone to sign off on the CPA work experience? Or is it pretty tough to find a CPA within government to sign off on your experience?

[LongShot]

Worked for state government for 5 years and my advice is simply “don't.” Sure, it varies state to state, and I'm sure federal pays way more money, but my experience was crap. Pay was crap, experience was beyond crap, and benefits were crap (though everyone remembered back when benefits were halfway decent so they still say, “work for the state for the benefits, not the pay”).

Have a job with a bank now and pay is significantly better and benefits simply don't compare- I spend almost half as much as I did with the state for WAY better benefits! Disclosure: Missouri is one of the worst paid states for government employees.

FAR - 75
AUD - 72; 87
REG - 64; 74; 84
BEC - 88

Done!!

[Quinacridone]

I originally started as a GS-4 about 4 years ago when I had no accounting experience and was about half way through my BA. It was as a SCEP intern which has now been replaced with the Pathways program. After graduation, my position converted to a Palace Acquirer (PAK) position which started as a GS-7, then a year later promoted to a GS-9, then a year later to a GS-11, and then ends on my target grade of a GS-12. In two weeks I get my GS-12 permanent position which I'll stay at unless I choose to go after one of our agency's GS-13 spots (audit manager).

When you look up the GS pay scale, you also need to know the cost of living adjustment for the location. Where I am, I just have the 14% adjustment added to the base salary, but other places are quite a bit higher.

I had no problems with getting my work experience signed off, but it is going to depend on the agency you work within as to whether you have a CPA in your direct chain of command.

REG - Nov 4, 2013: 88
FAR - Feb 27, 2014: 86
AUD - April 5, 2014: 91
BEC - May 6, 2014: 83

Florida CPA 24 July 2014
(Done in seven months - thank you Jesus!!)

[MsAvi77]

Well I already have my 1 year experience under a CPA as I work in public accounting and graduated about 3 years ago. Money isn't a huge issue but I am not really a recent grad and therefore I don't think I can go that route. I honestly would be open to an internship. I want to try audit and have very little experience in it so I wonder if someone would give me an internship?

Otherwise, I only know to apply through USAJobs.Gov. Does anyone have thoughts on this or suggestions?

BEC 81
REG 81
FAR 76
AUD 76

Done Forever!!

[Anonymous]

I work for the Legislative Auditor and have been there 2 months now. I love it! I love my team (7 including myself) and love what we do. I am in the Financial Division. I am currently working on the DHH audit team. We have about 30 different teams and we are moved around every year or so. This is a great way to learn and grow. Seniors average around 80k. You make more when you are certified/have your masters. I also have a flex schedule and am off on Friday but can rearrange it for appointments. Benefits are about $200 cheaper per month than my old job and they are better. 5k increase upon CPA certification, 8% increase for promotions and 4% increase for annual. Additional primary certifications get a 5% increase, non-primary get a $500 increase.

[MsAvi77]

Holy cow! I got a call from the federal reserve today! Job is in east Rutherford and I'm in brooklyn. I think it's worth the schlep so I'm going for it

BEC 81
REG 81
FAR 76
AUD 76

Done Forever!!

[ridiqls]

@Quinacridone Thanks! So I guess it is quite possible to move up to gs 11 pretty quickly. I was worried that due to the bureaucratic nature of government I would be stuck at gs7 for 10 years or something.

I guess it's pretty much a crapshoot if someone in your workplace has a CPA for them to sign off on your experience. Is that something you won't know until you start working? If I pass all 4 parts and then want to go into government, I'd hate to be so close to a CPA certification and not get it due to the lack of experience, or have the test credits run out.

[Anonymous]

70k..? Lol, would barely afford my yearly rent..

[Anonymous]

@casagarber – Do you travel a lot and is there any opportunity for you to switch to other units? I seriously envy you and I'm totally afraid of you. Just putting that on record so there's no confusion. LOL

I check the LLA's website at least once a week to read the Investigative audit reports. OMG!! Pearl River's is priceless!!! The Mayor's response is … well, there just aren't any words for his response.

[FutureHokieCPA]

MsAvi–I attained my government job through a career fair at my school. I have an above average salary with no prior work experience. I was asked to an interview a week or 2 after I met the employer and I had a job offer the next day. I cannot attest to the average government job application process but I imagine that it would be a long, tedious process. As far as the job itself, I think it depends on your personal style. It is way more relaxed, but there is not as much work to do. I am finding myself counting down the hours until I'm off and wishing I could use the time for CPA studies. In fact, I listen to NINJA audio while at work much of the day. So yes, it is great work/life balance and flexible, but the tradeoff is being bored and feeling like you're not providing much value to the company. I have only been here for 3 weeks and I am shocked at how autonomous my job already is.

FAR-72,80
AUD-74,88
BEC-89
REG-72,82

[Author]

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