Follow5 Government Accounting Jobs
- IRS Auditors
- Budget Analysts
- IRS Special Agents
- Federal Accounting Specialists
- Forensic Accountants
Government jobs in accounting offer many terrific benefits to individuals looking for intriguing careers. These positions typically pay quite well, provide exceptional benefits packages, and offer excellent opportunities for advancement. Although there is a broad range of government accounting jobs, the following five careers are among the most popular and top-paying today.
Related resource: Top 10 Online Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs
1. IRS Auditors
Some of the highest-paying government jobs in accounting are IRS auditors. These positions typically require applicants to possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a clear understanding of federal tax laws. IRS auditors review financial documents to determine whether or not there are any discrepancies in tax forms. Examples of things that auditors may examine include financial receipts, spending records, paid and unpaid bills, loan paperwork, medical records, canceled checks, and bank statements.
2. Budget Analysts
Another terrific government job in accounting involves budget analysis. Budget analysts help government organizations properly allocate their financial resources. They accomplish this by developing, analyzing, and implementing workable budgets as well as estimating financial needs for the future. Another important responsibility of budget analysts is to look for ways to improve the efficiency of existing budgets and to determine the best way to allocate finances within a budget. These jobs often require a master’s degree in accounting, but a bachelor’s degree may open the doors to entry-level positions.
3. IRS Special Agents
IRS special agents are employed by the Internal Revenue Service to investigate such financial crimes as tax violations, money laundering, digital fraud, and identity theft. Ideal candidates for these positions should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting as well as Certified Public Accountants certification. According to information provided by the United States Department of Labor, positions such as these paid an average salary of $53,130 during the year 2017.
4. Accounting Specialists
Accounting specialists can be found working for a variety of governmental agencies on local, state, and federal levels. They may be responsible for a variety of tasks depending on their employers, but some common tasks of these individuals often include handling and recording payments, maintaining payroll, monitoring the management of departmental budgets, and taking note of shortages or misuse of funds. A bachelor’s degree in accounting and passing scores on the Certified Public Accountants exam may be required for some of these government accounting jobs.
5. Forensic Accountants
Also known as investigative accountants and fraud auditors, forensic accountants are those professionals who examine business and tax records to determine if there are any discrepancies that can lead to civil or criminal cases. Persons working as forensic accountants are often employed by such organizations as state and federal law enforcement agencies, the United States Secret Service Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. To obtain one of these government accounting jobs, applicants will need at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic accounting.
Accounting graduates have many options when choosing a career path. And for those who would like to obtain government jobs in accounting, the five jobs described above may be just what they are looking for.
