Home / Federal careers / GS-0511
Auditing
Performs professional auditing work including financial audits, compliance audits, and internal controls evaluation.
What GS-0511 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-0511, as written.
Accounting Series Basic Requirements Apply
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, or a degree in a related field (business, finance, public administration) with at least 24 semester hours in accounting
- OR combination of education and experience equivalent to 4 years that included at least 24 semester hours in accounting
Experience:
- Experience must demonstrate knowledge of accounting principles and auditing standards
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-0511
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
3441s map almost one-to-one to GS-0511 Auditing. Examining financial records and internal controls under GAGAS is exactly what this series exists for, and audit-trained candidates are scarce in the federal pool.
Skills that carry over: GAGAS / Yellow Book auditing, Internal control testing, Audit reporting, Cash and disbursement review.
Usually opens at: GS-7, GS-9, GS-11.
Financial Management and Comptroller
Auditing series. CPA, CGFM, or CIA strongly preferred for advancement. Direct path into the Air Force Audit Agency, GAO, and IG offices.
Skills that carry over: Internal control testing, Audit documentation, Sampling, Risk assessment, Findings remediation.
Usually opens at: GS-07, GS-09, GS-11, GS-12.
Financial Management Technician
Relevant for inspection-focused 36Bs. GS-0511 Auditing positions match 36Bs who prepared for or conducted command financial inspections, reviewed transaction accuracy, and ensured internal control compliance.
Skills that carry over: Internal Controls, Transaction Review, Compliance Verification, Inspection Preparation, Documentation Review, Risk Assessment.
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
- Plan and conduct audits
- Evaluate internal controls
- Analyze financial records
- Prepare audit reports
- Make recommendations
- Follow up on findings
Key competencies
Auditing Standards
Knowledge of GAGAS and audit methodology.
Analytical Skills
Ability to evaluate financial and operational data.
Internal Controls
Understanding of control frameworks.
Written Communication
Skill in preparing audit reports.
Interviewing
Ability to gather information effectively.
Professional Skepticism
Appropriate questioning attitude.
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-0511
What is an Auditor?
A GS-0511 Auditor examines federal financial records, programs, and operations to ensure compliance, efficiency, and accountability. Federal auditors work at GAO, IGs, and agency audit offices identifying waste, fraud, and opportunities for improvement.
How much does a federal Auditor make?
Federal Auditors 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-0511?
GS-0511 positions require 24 semester hours in accounting plus additional business coursework. CPA, CIA, or CISA certifications are valued. Higher grades require progressively more complex audit experience.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0511?
Military experience cannot substitute for required accounting education. However, veterans with accounting degrees who served in IG offices, conducted command inspections, or performed compliance reviews have directly applicable audit experience.
What is the career progression for Auditor?
The career ladder follows GS-7/9/11/12/13/14 intervals. Entry-level auditors support audit teams. GS-11/12 auditors lead audits independently. Senior auditors manage major audits, supervise staff, and advise leadership on findings and recommendations.
How do I apply for GS-0511 jobs?
Search USAJOBS.gov for 'Auditor' or '0511' series. Major employers include GAO, agency IGs, and DCAA. Your federal resume should detail specific audit experience, methodologies used, and certifications. Transcripts documenting accounting coursework are required.
Ready to apply for GS-0511?
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.