Home / Federal careers / GS-0505
Financial Management
Performs professional financial management work including financial analysis, reporting, and program oversight.
What GS-0505 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0505, as written.
Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions
Individual Occupational Requirements:
Education:
- GS-5: Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or related field
- GS-7: 1 full year of graduate-level education OR bachelor's with Superior Academic Achievement
- GS-9: Master's degree (MBA, MPA, or finance-related) or 2 full years of graduate education
- GS-11: Ph.D. or 3 full years of progressively higher graduate education
OR
Experience:
- GS-5: 3 years of progressively responsible general experience
- GS-7 and above: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
Education and Experience Requirements (Group Standard):
This is a two-grade interval series. Positions follow the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, GS-11, GS-12 progression pattern.
| Grade | Education | Experience | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | Bachelor's degree in any field from accredited college/university | 3 years progressively responsible experience, 1 year equivalent to GS-4 | Equivalent combinations qualifying |
| GS-7 | 1 full year graduate education OR Superior Academic Achievement | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 | Combinations of graduate education and experience |
| GS-9 | 2 years graduate education or master's degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-7 requirement) and experience |
| GS-11 | 3 years graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 | Combinations of graduate education (excess of GS-9 requirement) and experience |
| GS-12+ | Not applicable | 1 year specialized experience equivalent to next lower grade | N/A |
Superior Academic Achievement (for GS-7):
- Upper third of graduating class in college/university or major subdivision
- GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 as recorded on official transcript, OR 3.5 or higher in major field
- Election to membership in national scholastic honor society
Graduate Education: One year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours the school determines represents 1 year of full-time study. If unavailable, 18 semester hours satisfies the 1-year requirement.
Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- No positive education requirement here, so qualifying experience can stand in for the education.
How to qualify for GS-0505
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Health Services Comptroller
Healthcare financial management. Highlight healthcare budgeting, finance, and resource management.
Skills that carry over: Healthcare Budgeting, Finance, Resource Management, Analysis, Reporting.
Usually opens at: GS-12, GS-13, GS-14.
Comptroller
Financial management leadership. Highlight financial management, budgeting, and comptroller functions.
Skills that carry over: Financial Management, Budgeting, Comptroller Functions, Leadership, Analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-13, GS-14, GS-15.
Financial Manager
Direct translation to federal financial management. Highlight budget execution, financial reporting, and fund management.
Skills that carry over: Budget Execution, Financial Reporting, Fund Management, Accounting, Internal Controls.
Usually opens at: GS-11, GS-12, GS-13.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Analyze financial operations
- Develop financial policies
- Oversee financial programs
- Prepare financial reports
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Advise on financial matters
Key competencies
Financial Analysis
Ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
Federal Accounting
Knowledge of government accounting standards.
Systems Knowledge
Understanding of federal financial systems.
Internal Controls
Skill in implementing financial controls.
Reporting
Ability to prepare accurate financial reports.
Strategic Planning
Skill in financial planning and forecasting.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0505
What is a Financial Management Specialist?
A GS-0505 Financial Management Specialist performs financial management work including funds control, financial reporting, and policy development. These professionals ensure proper stewardship of federal funds and compliance with financial regulations.
How much does a Financial Management Specialist make?
Financial Management Specialists earn between $42,679 (GS-7 Step 1) and $138,296 (GS-14 Step 10) under the 2025 GS pay scale. Most positions are GS-11/12/13, earning $63,163-$117,034 annually plus locality adjustments.
What are the requirements for GS-0505?
GS-0505 positions require education and/or experience in financial management, accounting, or business. Entry-level accepts relevant degrees or experience. Higher grades require progressively more specialized financial management and systems experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0505?
Yes, military financial management experience is highly valued. Finance officers, comptrollers, and resource managers have directly transferable skills. Experience with DFAS, military accounting systems, and funds management translates well to federal civilian roles.
What is the career progression for Financial Management Specialist?
The career ladder follows GS-7/9/11/12/13/14 intervals. Entry-level specialists support financial operations. GS-11/12 specialists manage programs independently. Senior specialists direct agency financial management and develop fiscal policy.
How do I apply for GS-0505 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Financial Management' or '0505' series. Every agency has these positions. Your federal resume should detail specific financial systems, funds control experience, and knowledge of federal financial regulations.
Ready to apply for GS-0505?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.