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PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

in accounting with a forensic accounting table “Salary Information for State Audit
concentration,” said Shaye Doherty, an associ- Agencies and Comptroller Offices.”)
ate auditor at the Commonwealth of Virginia
Auditor of Public Accounts in Richmond, Va. CREDENTIALS AND EXPERENCE REQUIRED
“Not only have they reimbursed me for classes State audit agencies generally employ
I have passed, but they have provided me 24 more CPAs than state comptroller offices
hours of education leave each year.” (mean of 29% versus 10%), which should
The public sector is also aware of the be expected given their different objec-
demand for accounting professionals, and many tives. Also, only 53% of the states require
governments are increasing their salaries to be that a division head/audit manager in a
more competitive at attracting talent. (See the state audit agency have a CPA license.

Job opportunities in

Certification at state comptrollers and audit agencies the public sector

Where do you find accounting and auditing
Section A (percentage of staff who are CPAs)
job opportunities in the public sector? For
Maximum/minimum the federal government, USAJOBS is the
Mean Median percentage
official employment site for all federal jobs.
Audit agency: When searching for a federal job, job
Agency head (all) 43% seekers often consider whether the U.S.
Agency head 57% Department of Defense or a civilian agency,
(appointed) such as the department of Agriculture,
Agency head (elected) 18% Education, Health and Human Services, or
All staff 29% 29% 67%/9% Transportation, better fits their professional
and personal interests. For state and local
State comptroller’s office government jobs, search that government’s
State comptroller (all) 46% official website to determine where
State comptroller 49% available jobs are posted. Also, the National
(appointed) Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers
and Treasurers (NASACT) promotes job
State comptroller 38%
(elected) openings at the state level in its weekly
news updates. You can contact NASACT to
All staff 10% 7% 32%/1%
subscribe to the weekly news updates.
Prepare annual 44% 40% 100%/0% In any new professional endeavor, it is
comprehensive financial helpful to work with an experienced mentor
report (ACFR)
who provides advice and helps guide you
through the process. If you have a family
Section B (percentage of state audit agencies requiring certification member or friend who is knowledgeable
or master’s degree for position)
of the public sector, reach out to them.
Require CPA, other Professional organizations often will
Require CPA certification, master’s
CPA preferred degree, or law degree match you with a mentor. The Association
Agency head 25% 4% of Government Accountants (AGA) has a
student/young professionals program. The
Chief deputy 38% Government Finance Officers Association
Other deputies 23% 4% (GFOA) has a student program. AICPA &
Division head/audit 53% 6% 22% CIMA have an apprenticeship program and a
manager Finance Leadership Program. Contact these
Audit supervisor 25% 6% 14% organizations to find a mentor who can
assist you with your interest in employment
Senior/middle-level auditor 0% 3% 0% in the public sector.
Source: NASACT.

22 | Journal of Accountancy November 2022