Just think of all the different accounting and finance roles that exist to provide essential back-office support for businesses of all sizes. Stewards of funds, regardless of position, lay the groundwork for cross-departmental collaboration that ultimately results in a monetary narrative. They add to the quality of the service provided by either interacting directly with customers or by sharing information across organisations. Equally true of the public sector. A group of financial professionals, whose mission goes beyond their traditional duties, helps hold the government’s expansive fabric together.
Government accountants, whether in more typical accounting responsibilities or more novel ones like setting fiscal policy, offer a wealth of knowledge and experience to their work. A wide range of non-financial abilities, such as knowledge of IT, social services, public administration, human resources, and policy, are common among government accountants. In the third quarter of 2022, the AICPA polled its Government and Performance Accountability Committee members, both current and formerly affiliated. The specific roles, perks, and responsibilities of federal, state, and municipal government employees were discussed at length. Here are the anonymous thoughts of government executives on why someone should seriously consider and enthusiastically pursue a job in government.
The position has great potential and is exciting It’s tough to get a sense of the scope of the project from the outside. The term “accountant” is ill-suited to describing the scope, depth, and variety of this activity. The Federal Government’s Chief Risk and Compliance Officer. While financial management is fundamental to the job of a government accountant, compliance is the overarching focus. Government accountants routinely draw on their interdisciplinary expertise to aid their clients in negotiating the complexities of financial policy, whether that be an individual taxpayer, a school district, or an organisation with specific legislative or programmatic obligations to meet.
Additional expertise may be required to ensure compliance with laws and regulations beyond fiscal mandates, depending on the programmatic purpose of the department or programme. There is no hard and fast rule that says a cost cannot be incurred in government budgeting. However, if the expenditure is for something that does not fulfil the contractual purpose of the funds, it may become unallowable. It involves more than simple mathematical operations, invoicing management, or report writing. The increased emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG), analysis of operations, risk focus, managerial experience, making a difference, and working with partners, among other things, make for interesting work that goes beyond the confines of traditional accounting.
An Exciting Place to Work! Executive Director, Nonprofit Organizational Affiliate “In my role as a federal auditor (financial, information technology, and performance), I get to evaluate and apply standards from not only AI but also the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board and particular requirements in Congressional Appropriations language.” Federal Government Head Contributing to the greater benefit of humanity is also part of the job description, in addition to ensuring legal and financial stability. A government accountant’s responsibilities in aiding the public may go beyond what the average person realises. Every member of the community is a potential client for these sector accountants.
In addition to federal, state, regional, and local governments, this wide area also include philanthropic groups, academic institutions, and health care facilities. With multiple branches and agencies to choose from, working for the government can be a dynamic and exciting career. The duties of a director of finance, for example, can vary greatly from one city to the next. Chief Executive Officer, Other Governmental Organization. Focused on your goals – follow your bliss Leaders in the finance department need specialised expertise, just as heads of government agencies and heads of government departments need.
A huge part of the job’s appeal is that employees have the opportunity to dabble in a wide variety of specialisations and sectors. You can collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders (the state, municipalities, special districts, NGOs, community members, etc.)to develop solutions that are mutually beneficial. Controller of Public Funds, Municipal, County, or Parish Both the government and society are dynamic, always adapting to meet the demands of its citizens and the outside world. The government accountant’s duties will change to meet the new requirements as time goes on. What do government accountants working in the field think is the most rewarding aspect of their jobs?
The best part about working as an accountant for the government is that you can change directions with your career without changing jobs. Over the course of my 20 years of service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I have held the positions of chief operations officer, tax administrator, internal auditor specialising in performance and compliance audits, and external auditor of financial statements. State Government Executive Deputy Secretary The potential for government performance audits is vast. Each audit teaches you something new, and the time you spend working flies by. State Government Assistant Comptroller Creating a positive change Government accountants contribute to society by keeping an eye on the money that is supposed to go back to the people who originally provided it.
Those who have worked in government are increasingly found in leadership positions in the nonprofit sector, where they may influence the direction of initiatives and the allocation of resources for the greater good. Government accountants play an important role in ensuring that public monies are used for their intended purposes, and in helping nonprofits to comply with regulations and guidelines. Work of this nature provides immense satisfaction and satisfaction. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the efforts of the city’s planners, developers, and visionaries, who are always pushing to improve our residents’ standard of living. Vice President, Nonprofit Downtown Development The government as a whole speaks for everyone regardless of their economic standing, their ethnicity or gender, where they were born, or where they currently live.
Working as a government accountant allows you to see how money is distributed at different levels of government and how that affects people’s lives in terms of fairness, equality, and the quality of life they can expect. In the words of a government controller, “diversity in the workplace” is the finest aspect since “although accounting is based on debits and credits, the missions and objectives are quite varied ac the federal government.” People are committed, hard-working, and willing to put in long hours because they believe in the agency’s purpose to serve the American people. U.S. Treasury Chief Financial Officer Most government accountants who were asked cited the satisfaction of serving one’s community as either the finest element of their job or the thing they most wanted others to know about working for the government.
I like being able to speak up for many underrepresented groups in the community. I get a say in how those groups’ benevolent funds are distributed. Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, Non-Profit The nicest part of my job as a government accountant is being able to make a difference while also taking on a wide variety of interesting and challenging projects. Making a difference means that no matter what I do throughout the day, I can always go to bed assured that what I did that day mattered—to the state legislature, to the people I represent, to the state agencies I oversee, and to the people who work for me. This wide variety of tasks has helped me discover my true calling.
My life has been a balanced equation, and I am able to go to bed each night satisfied. Statistician in Charge of Data Collection and Analysis for the State Expertise and training in a particular field Despite government accounting’s relevance to the economy, the field has trouble filling open positions because of a lack of available workers. Government and nonprofit accounting receive less attention in the typical accounting curriculum.”I’m a part of a niche industry that I really like.” Professor of Accounting and Other Governmental Agencies Associate In many cases, students must take a single course that introduces them to both public and nonprofit accounting. The variety of careers accessible in the public and nonprofit sectors is not well represented in the standard accountancy curriculum.
You can only get a graduate-level education in government accounting at Rutgers. Coursework on public finance, government budgeting, government auditing, IT, and nonprofit management are all part of the programme. The Master of Governmental Accountancy programme at Rutgers University provided me with the opportunity to expand my knowledge in areas that weren’t included in my undergraduate curriculum. Providing me with a solid foundational understanding of the fundamentals of public finance so that I can contribute effectively to the pursuit of public service. Specific Material Advantages – a Little-Known Fact While exposure, education, and experience do play a role in luring people into the sector, other variables are necessary to keep them there.
Experts in government finance say yes.ensuring potential newcomers that they can expect a high level of independence, competitive salary, room for professional development, and cutting-edge facilities. Not only did other government accountants provide these different viewpoints for those thinking about entering the field, but they also served the greater good. As one federal government accountant put it, you may get “Great salary, job security, opportunity to work nearly anyplace in the globe” if you become a government accountant.”There are a wide variety of career paths available.” Assistant State Auditor I value the balanced work and personal life that this position provides. Manager, Central Government The work you do will never be the same from one day to the next.
You interact with the public, governmental bodies, bond agencies, etc. Not at all a dull read!” Teaching Position in an Academic Institution, Associate Professor of Accounting There is often more job security in public accounting than in the private sector. Volunteer opportunities will arise at the same time as society has pressing demands. People already working in the industry have a responsibility to share their knowledge and encourage people who are interested in the subject to consider it as a career path.
Those that work in the field have a positive outlook on their careers since they are able to make a positive impact on society. There are a plethora of resources available to anyone looking to learn more about the industry, further their education, or peruse job openings. Whether they are acting as an accountant or auditor, government accountants are trustees of public funds. There is a lot riding on being able to audit and account for those monies effectively. The requirement for qualified and certified accountants who are able to read new regulations and ensure they are being adhered to grows as new laws are always being enacted.
Being a government accountant comes with a number of advantages, including a competitive salary and a work-life balance that’s conducive to success. In this study, accountants at all three levels of government expressed a desire to serve the public good and make a difference in their local communities. Being a government accountant is rewarding because of the sense of purpose and public service it provides.