Question About Government (GS) Pay Scale

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  • #194004
    Shel_178
    Member

    I am relocating and looking to possibly work for the government. Based on what I’ve researched, it looks like I would be starting out as a GS-9. I noticed that each grade has ~10 steps and was wondering if any former/current gov’t employees had any insight on how promotions work (i.e. how much would one advance in a year?) as it looks like I may take a (small) pay cut. Any insight in greatly appreciated 🙂

    REG - 86
    FAR - 80
    BEC - 79
    AUD - 92...I'm done woohoo!

    Licensed CPA since Feb. 2014

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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  • #665771
    rugger246
    Participant

    Typically you earn a grade increase after each year of service. So for example, if your promotion potential level (per the job announcement) is a GS 12 you can plan on getting an increase after one year of service.

    Start at GS-9 Step 1…after one year…GS-11 Step 1…after second year GS-12 Step 1. Once you reach full promotion potential you start moving laterally across the Steps. So after third year you would be GS-12 Step 2…after year four GS-12 Step 3….and so on.

    I will note however after you reach Step 4 it takes two years of service to make Step 5, another two for Step 6 and Step 7. After Step 7 to 8 it takes three years until you make out at Step 10.

    Please note that some advancements to the GS-12 may not be automatic and you may have to apply or competitively put in for this slots. It just depends on the position and agency you are applying to so you may want to look into that.

    Alot of this information can be found at http://www.opm.gov or by doing a google search so you may want to double check my figures. Hope this helps.

    AUD - Passed
    BEC - Passed
    FAR - Passed (Perfect Score of 75 to finish it off)
    REG - Passed

    #665772
    Shel_178
    Member

    @rugger246 thank you! That was extremely helpful…I will take a look at the OPM site as well.

    REG - 86
    FAR - 80
    BEC - 79
    AUD - 92...I'm done woohoo!

    Licensed CPA since Feb. 2014

    #665773
    Lion_of_the_Rock
    Participant

    I would just say if you get a govt job offer then take it. You will work 40 hr weeks and live comfortably. My spouse has been in the fed govt for 10 years as an auditor and she makes over 6 figures, gets to work from home, and never does over 40 hrs a week. Sure she can't make partner at a Big 4 firm but her work-life balance is immensely better.

    BEC - 78
    AUD - 75
    REG - 74, 79
    FAR - 75

    You have to buy a ticket to win the raffle.

    #665774
    Shel_178
    Member

    The work-life balance is a major factor in my wanting to make the move from public accounting to gov't. I've applied for a couple of positions in the area that my husband and I are moving to so I'll keep my fingers crossed!

    REG - 86
    FAR - 80
    BEC - 79
    AUD - 92...I'm done woohoo!

    Licensed CPA since Feb. 2014

    #665775
    Excel14
    Participant

    So what is the magic word for even getting a “sniff” for an interview? I have applied for various positions over the course of my 24 year State career, and have gotten nowhere. I have always heard that there is a knack for answering the questions, and it always seems like you can answer individual questions in several ways.

    For example, one answer might state that you have a Bachelors of Science in Accounting, with XXX number of courses in accounting, finance, etc.; while another answer might ask if you are a CPA or CIA. Well, if I hold one of the certifications, yet have the BS degree as well, which answer carries greater weight with them?

    What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

    BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
    FAR (09/10/16)-----
    AUD
    REG

    CIA, CGAP, CFE

    #665776
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Rugger nailed it…as for getting an interview, use keywords from the duties and qualifications sections of the job posting. Some people say that it's a myth and yeah it may not work for all jobs, but I've definitely had success with that approach. I should add that use of the keywords from the posting that actually are applicable and relevant to you is also necessary – not just fabricating experience.

    #665777
    Excel14
    Participant

    In my case, if you are referring to my post, I wasn't talking about “fabricating”. I meant, that if you have qualifications that could fit one or another reply, does one carry more weight than another? I have never had ANY luck with federal jobs.

    What do they call an accounting person, who only managed a 75 on all four parts of the CPA exam....you got it, CPA!!!

    BEC (2/28/16) ----- 78
    FAR (09/10/16)-----
    AUD
    REG

    CIA, CGAP, CFE

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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