Home / Federal careers / GS-0510
Accounting
Performs professional accounting work including financial reporting, auditing, and accounting systems management.
What GS-0510 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 |
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-0510, as written.
Degree: accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")
OR
Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. The applicant's background must also include _one_of the following:
• Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
• A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
• Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.
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-0510
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
NAF Audit Technician
The GS-0510 Accounting series leans toward financial-statement and ledger work that follows directly from auditing NAFI financial records. A strong match with or without a CPA.
Skills that carry over: Financial records review, Accounting principles, Reconciliation, Compliance verification.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Financial Management Technician
Accessible with education. GS-0510 Accounting requires coursework in accounting, but 36Bs with college credits can qualify. GFEBS reconciliation and financial statement experience directly relevant.
Skills that carry over: Account Reconciliation, Financial Statements, General Ledger, Transaction Analysis, Regulatory Compliance, ERP Systems.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Finance Technician
GS-0510 Accounting is the professional accounting series; reachable as you add accounting coursework or a degree on top of your fiscal-accounting experience.
Skills that carry over: General ledger, Reconciliation, Financial reporting, Audit support.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
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
- Prepare financial statements
- Analyze accounting records
- Ensure compliance with GAAP
- Perform internal audits
- Develop accounting policies
- Manage accounting systems
Key competencies
Accounting Principles
Knowledge of GAAP and government accounting standards.
Financial Analysis
Ability to analyze and interpret financial data.
Attention to Detail
Accuracy in financial record-keeping.
Systems Knowledge
Proficiency with accounting software.
Problem Solving
Ability to resolve accounting discrepancies.
Communication
Skill in explaining accounting matters.
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-0510
What is an Accountant?
A GS-0510 Accountant performs professional accounting work including financial reporting, auditing, cost analysis, and systems management. Federal accountants ensure financial accountability across government agencies, managing billions in taxpayer funds.
How much does a federal Accountant make?
Federal Accountants 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-0510?
GS-0510 positions require 24 semester hours in accounting or a combination of accounting and related coursework. CPA or equivalent certification is valued. Higher grades require progressively more specialized accounting experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0510?
Military experience cannot substitute for required accounting education. However, veterans with accounting degrees who served as finance officers, budget analysts, or in comptroller roles have directly applicable experience combining education with practical skills.
What is the career progression for Accountant?
The career ladder follows GS-7/9/11/12/13/14 intervals. Entry-level accountants learn federal accounting systems. GS-11/12 accountants manage accounts independently. Senior accountants direct financial operations and advise leadership on fiscal matters.
How do I apply for GS-0510 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Accountant' or '0510' series. Every agency has accounting positions. Your federal resume should detail specific accounting experience, systems used, and CPA status. Transcripts documenting accounting coursework are required.
Ready to apply for GS-0510?
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.