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How to be a public accountant?
what are requirements to work for the gov as a public accountant
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Justin Shapiro
Accounting | Finance | Financial Systems | Non-Profit Volunteer
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Justin’s Answer
Hi Isaac,
Great career choice!
To become a public accountant, particularly if you’re interested in working for the government, here’s what you’ll need to do:
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a Related Field
Most public accountant positions require a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Many programs offer courses specifically for aspiring CPAs, including auditing, taxation, and governmental accounting.
2. Complete Additional Education for CPA Certification (if needed)
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), most states require 150 semester hours of college coursework, which is usually 30 hours more than a typical bachelor’s degree. Some people pursue a master’s degree in accounting to meet this requirement.
3. Pass the CPA Exam
The CPA exam is a four-part national test administered by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) covering:
Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
Regulation (REG)
Passing this exam is essential for CPA licensure, and it can take several months to prepare for and complete.
4. Gain Relevant Experience
Most states require candidates to complete a certain amount of work experience under a licensed CPA to qualify for licensure. Typically, you’ll need 1-2 years of experience in public accounting or a related field.
5. Meet State Requirements and Apply for Licensure
Each state has its own requirements for CPA licensure, which may include ethics exams or additional courses. Once you meet these, you can apply for licensure and start practicing as a CPA.
Working as a Public Accountant for the Government
Public accountants work in various government agencies, like the IRS, the U.S. Department of Treasury, or state and local tax departments. Here’s what’s typically required:
1. Meet Educational and Certification Requirements
Government public accountants usually need to be CPAs, which means holding a CPA license in their state.
Some government positions, particularly with federal agencies, may require specific coursework in governmental accounting or familiarity with governmental accounting standards (GASB).
2. U.S. Citizenship and Background Check
Many government accounting positions, especially at the federal level, require U.S. citizenship and passing a background check, which may include a criminal history review and financial review.
3. Understanding of Government Accounting Standards
Familiarity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and, specifically, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards is essential for public accountants in the government.
4. Apply to Government Accounting Programs
Many government agencies offer internships or entry-level programs specifically for aspiring accountants, such as the IRS Pathways Internship Program or various state-level trainee programs. These can be excellent starting points and often lead to full-time positions.
5. Earn Specialized Certifications (Optional)
While optional, earning certifications like the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) or the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) can boost your qualifications and open doors to more specialized government accounting roles.
Key Skills for Public Accountants in Government
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: To analyze budgets, identify discrepancies, and improve processes.
Attention to Detail: Accuracy is crucial in government accounting to ensure taxpayer money is correctly managed.
Communication Skills: To explain complex financial concepts to stakeholders.
Integrity and Confidentiality: Working in the public sector demands a high level of trust and ethical conduct.
By meeting these requirements, you’ll be well-prepared for a career as a public accountant in the government, with opportunities for advancement in various specialized roles.
Great career choice!
To become a public accountant, particularly if you’re interested in working for the government, here’s what you’ll need to do:
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a Related Field
Most public accountant positions require a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Many programs offer courses specifically for aspiring CPAs, including auditing, taxation, and governmental accounting.
2. Complete Additional Education for CPA Certification (if needed)
To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), most states require 150 semester hours of college coursework, which is usually 30 hours more than a typical bachelor’s degree. Some people pursue a master’s degree in accounting to meet this requirement.
3. Pass the CPA Exam
The CPA exam is a four-part national test administered by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) covering:
Auditing and Attestation (AUD)
Business Environment and Concepts (BEC)
Financial Accounting and Reporting (FAR)
Regulation (REG)
Passing this exam is essential for CPA licensure, and it can take several months to prepare for and complete.
4. Gain Relevant Experience
Most states require candidates to complete a certain amount of work experience under a licensed CPA to qualify for licensure. Typically, you’ll need 1-2 years of experience in public accounting or a related field.
5. Meet State Requirements and Apply for Licensure
Each state has its own requirements for CPA licensure, which may include ethics exams or additional courses. Once you meet these, you can apply for licensure and start practicing as a CPA.
Working as a Public Accountant for the Government
Public accountants work in various government agencies, like the IRS, the U.S. Department of Treasury, or state and local tax departments. Here’s what’s typically required:
1. Meet Educational and Certification Requirements
Government public accountants usually need to be CPAs, which means holding a CPA license in their state.
Some government positions, particularly with federal agencies, may require specific coursework in governmental accounting or familiarity with governmental accounting standards (GASB).
2. U.S. Citizenship and Background Check
Many government accounting positions, especially at the federal level, require U.S. citizenship and passing a background check, which may include a criminal history review and financial review.
3. Understanding of Government Accounting Standards
Familiarity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and, specifically, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards is essential for public accountants in the government.
4. Apply to Government Accounting Programs
Many government agencies offer internships or entry-level programs specifically for aspiring accountants, such as the IRS Pathways Internship Program or various state-level trainee programs. These can be excellent starting points and often lead to full-time positions.
5. Earn Specialized Certifications (Optional)
While optional, earning certifications like the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) or the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) can boost your qualifications and open doors to more specialized government accounting roles.
Key Skills for Public Accountants in Government
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: To analyze budgets, identify discrepancies, and improve processes.
Attention to Detail: Accuracy is crucial in government accounting to ensure taxpayer money is correctly managed.
Communication Skills: To explain complex financial concepts to stakeholders.
Integrity and Confidentiality: Working in the public sector demands a high level of trust and ethical conduct.
By meeting these requirements, you’ll be well-prepared for a career as a public accountant in the government, with opportunities for advancement in various specialized roles.
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
The minimum requirement for public accounting would be an EA (enrolled agent). This would allow you to prepare tax returns under the review of a CPA. In this job market, I'd say that a CPA is necessary to work in public accounting which does require the coursework of a Masters of Accountancy (MAC) degree