Does anyone work in the accounting field for the government?

Would misdemeanors from 8+ years ago stop from getting hired government job?

• Okay, in a nutshell, I had some checks written out about 16 years ago, I got caught up, in bad relationship, guy told me he would put money in bank, but didn't, left me holdin the bag. But I paid them in full, never was arrested, or convicted for them, thank goodness. Once I got a good job, I went back, paid them all, the DA said they would be dismissed. I got a job offer, did background check, they came up, told them they were paid, got the job. Then unfortunately, about 8 years later, another incident, occurred, assault & battery conviction. I believe it was set up, but i had no wittness, could not prove my innocence. So, First offense, unsupervised probation 2 weeks county, I applied to a government bank job, initially, got the job, the check writing did not show up, but the conviction did. It was about 4 years after the conviction. I believe someone might have informed the bank of it, who knew my past, but that's cool. Anyway, I also had an expungement from a dismissed charged. That did not show up either. But that was only about 3 years old at the time. I'm a bit confused. They did a FBI background check. I was given the job, but denied after the background check. I did not disclose, the arrest, or conviction, it because I was told I didn't have to after certain amount of years. Wrong!Anyway, I'm a bit confused,. If I apply for a government position, would I be denied the job automatically because of convictions? I was told that they denied me, maybe because I did not disclose it. They just wanna know what happen. Can anyone shed some light on how the government background checks work. I'm I wasting my time applying? How far do they go back? And do they fingerprint for security clearances. I once had a security clearance in military, but I can't remember if I was fingerprinted, but back then my record was squeaky clean. Anyhow can someone shed some light on government jobs and background checks. I have a degree in Bus, and a double major in accounting, getting my MBA soon. well that's my life in nutshell and if a government interviewer asked, that's pretty much it. I would really like to work for the government, but unsure.Thanks!

• Answer:

  Take a look at the OF-306 (link), a form that you will have to fill out before being hired. You must disclose any convictions for the past ten years. If you do not disclose it, it will come up in the background check, including a fingerprint check, and you will likely be terminated. If you do disclose it, it's possible that the hiring official will choose to select someone else with equal qualifications who does not have a criminal history. If you have mad accounting skills and more education than the other applicants, it's also possible that he/she will select you anyway. This will differ with different agencies. Some agencies are more forgiving than others. But they all need accountants.