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is also the U.S. Government Accountability The public sector typically
Office (GAO). It is known as the “congressional
watchdog” because it provides Congress and
federal agencies with objective, nonpartisan, fact- offers very attractive
based information to help the government save
money and work more efficiently. Most recently,
the GAO has been evaluating the $4.8 trillion retirement plans and
COVID-19 response legislation and has made
federal government’s effectiveness in dealing with superior health care
more than 200 recommendations to improve the
public health issues and the economy.
While public sector auditors also perform benefits with lower costs.
financial statement audits, there is an increased
emphasis on compliance, operational, and
performance audits. For example, public sector
auditors often perform accountability audits that
determine whether agencies are complying with
laws, administrative codes, and their own policies. Salary information for state audit agencies
In these engagements, the audit team understands
an agency’s risk management processes and unique and comptroller offices
functions as part of that government, with a
Maximum/
particular emphasis on information technology
minimum
controls. These audits develop strategies to improve
Mean Median dollar value
a government’s business practices and also provide
Section A (Audit Agency)
assurance that public funds are used effectively and
efficiently. Similar to the private sector, a public Agency head:
sector auditing career typically involves more travel All $148,483 $137,488 $217,292/$85,000
than a public sector accounting position, but this
Appointed $163,051 $170,354 $217,292/$114,462
travel provides significant exposure to a govern-
Elected $122,774 $114,713 $210,000/$85,000
ment’s many functions. These experiences can
lead to opportunities for advancement within the With a CPA $160,318 $170,354 $217,292/$107,746
government and an ability to find the best career fit. Chief deputy $134,020 $133,952 $190,800/$83,750
Other deputies $130,900 $125,830 $206,817/$78,800
FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Division head $122,224 $122,353 $189,549/$78,500
When assessing the financial benefits of any job, it
is important to consider the total benefits pro- Audit manager $104,759 $104,309 $150,213/$72,802
vided. Compared to the private sector, the public Audit supervisor $87,769 $87,963 $117,416/$59,900
sector typically offers very attractive retirement Senior/middle-level auditor $65,102 $63,215 $96,332/ $45,257
plans and superior health care benefits with lower
Section B (State Comptroller)
costs. In addition, many public sector employees
Agency head:
retain their health insurance after retirement.
Other perquisites such as sick and vacation leave, All $148,763 $149,547 $237,500/$84,500
paid holidays, bereavement leave, paid parental Appointed $154,885 $152,088 $237,500/$105,500
leave, education leave, and tuition reimbursement
Elected $124,896 $117,556 $190,000/$84,500
for advanced degrees provide additional financial
With a CPA $137,031 $130,236 $191,052/$86,181
benefits that are sometimes unavailable in the
private sector. In addition, many governments Chief deputy $132,255 $130,851 $201,049/$88,000
provide flexible work schedules, which may mean Other deputies $116,315 $115,000 $176,200/$66,000
working four nine-hour days and one four-hour Division head $107,751 $111,000 $139,908/$73,500
day per week or working nine hours per day for
Supervisor $86,133 $85,000 $113,031/$60,000
nine days and getting a day off every two weeks.
Senior $60,532 $60,250 $74,202/$49,000
“My employer has allowed me to continue
my education by pursuing a master’s degree Source: NASACT.

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