Uncle Sam Wants YOU to Be His Accountant

Ever think of leaving the Big Four to go work for Uncle Sam? He already has like a billion accountants working for him.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that government accountants and auditors averaged the following yearly salaries in 2008:

Federal executive branch: $84,520
Local government: $56,160
State government: $52,560

The starting salary of junior accountants and auditors with the federal government was $28,862 in 2007. Those who performed well in school were sometimes paid $35,752, while new hires with a master's degree or two years of professional experience usually began at $43,731. In regions where salaries are generally higher, the government sometimes pays more.

Life working as an accountant at the IRS is no mystery -- just watch Stranger Than Fiction, and if you are interested in the job, try here: http://jobs.irs.gov/car_acc_iraAppProc.html

But what about non-IRS jobs? Currently, there are 220 accountant jobs posted on the federal government's job website. Check 'em out here.

To give you a sample, how would you like to be an accountant for the American Battle Monuments Commission? Here is the job announcement:

Agency: American Battle Monuments Commission

Sub Agency: Headquarters Job

Announcement Number:DEU-09-01

Job Title: ACCOUNTANT, GS-0510-11

Salary Range: 60,989.00 - 79,280.00 USD /year

Series & Grade: GS-0510-11/11

Open Period: Wednesday, September 02, 2009 to Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Position Information: Full-Time Permanent

Duty Locations: 1 vacancy - Alexandria, Arlington & Falls Church, VA

Who May Be Considered: Applications will be accepted from United States citizens and nationals.

Job Summary: The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is a small Executive Branch agency. We administer, operate, and maintain 24 permanent U.S. military cemeteries and 27 memorials, monuments, and markers in 15 countries around the world. Our cemeteries and monuments are considered the best designed and maintained in the world. We are looking for an Accountant that can help us provide financial support to our world-wide operation from our headquarters office in Arlington. Please see our website at http://www.abmc.gov/ for more information about the ABMC.

Key Requirements: U.S. Citizenship or National
Accounting Degree or a degree with 24 semester hours in accounting (See Qualifications)
At least one year of professional accounting experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service.
You will focus primarily on accounting for monies received and disbursed through the three ABMC managed trust funds. Your duties will include:

Analyze and reconcile accounts and prepare balance sheets. Assure that trust fund money is properly invested in the U.S. Treasury accounts. Analyze cost accounting reports, status of fund reports, and other financial reports in order to prepare summary statements. Analyze operating procedures affecting the flow of costs through accounting systems and recommend changes. Work closely with program officials to ensure effective accounting and compliance with standards.

Or maybe you want to work for NASA:

Department: US National Aeronautics & Space Administration

Agency: NASA Inspector General

Sub Agency: Office of Audits, Financial and Institutional Management Directorate Job

Announcement Number: IG09B0061

Job Title: Supervisory Auditor

Salary Range: 98,599.00 - 128,184.00 USD /year

Series & Grade: GS-0511-14

Open Period: Monday, August 31, 2009 to Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Position Information: Full-Time Permanent appointment

Duty Locations: Cleveland Metro area


Job Summary: The NASA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) serves as an independent audit and investigative organization. We conduct objective oversight of NASA programs and operations and independently report to the Administrator, Congress, and the public to further the Agency's accomplishment of its mission. The OIG consists of approximately 200 auditors, analysts, specialists, investigators, attorneys and support staff at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, and NASA Centers throughout the U.S.

Key Requirements: Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
Occasional travel may be required
Selectee must complete a financial disclosure statement
A one-year probationary period may be required
Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain SECRET security clearance.

Major Duties: Incumbent will serve as a project manager with responsibility of planning, developing, and directing broad and complex nationwide audits, reviews or surveys that have special impact on programs of national significance to NASA and other Federal government agencies, such as directing quality assessment reviews or studies that address the development, acquisition, and deployment of major systems. Manages special assignments, such as management or program reviews of unusual complexity, sensitivity, or significant national interest. Develops audit programs and plans, including functional responsibilities; specific project assignments; and audit objectives and requirements. Assesses matters such as overall effectiveness and efficiency; compliance with established policies, procedures, and government standards; and accomplishment of intended goals and objectives. Performs comprehensive analyses of overall operations in situations where decisions are complicated by the diversity of functional programs and operations, and conflicting requirements. Evaluates the quality of written documents such as audit reports and supporting working papers. Provides assistance during audit follow-up to monitor the resolution of audit recommendations. As a supervisor, incumbent will be responsible for providing technical requirements and descriptions of work to be accomplished; plan and establish the work schedules, deadlines, and standards for acceptable work; track progress and quality of performance and arrange for subordinates to conduct required inspections and decide the acceptability, rejection, or correction of work performed.; responsible for planning, assigning, and evaluating work to be accomplished; advice, counsel and or instruct the subordinate on both work and administrative matters; and hear and resolve complaints, effect minor disciplinary measures and identify developmental and training needs. The incumbent is responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity and diversity by taking positive steps to support the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices in all areas under his/her supervision.

The point is -- there are tons of accountant jobs with various federal and state government agencies. The perks usually include regular working hours and federal holidays. As with any government job, the down side is low pay unless you are one of the talented few who move up the slim ranks to the upper echelon of government accountants.

If you work for the government, please tell us about it.