Does anyone work in the accounting field for the government?

Will being an Accounting Clerk give me good work experience to move up?

• I’m in the process of getting my degree in Accounting. However, I need experience working in the actual field. Because I don’t have much accounting experience I can only find jobs for an accounting clerk. From what I gathered, it doesn’t pay much and the duties are pretty light. I was just wondering from your experiences, will an accounting clerk position give me good work experience and be a good step to take if I eventually want to be in the higher up accounting positions like senior accountant, controller or work for the government?

• Answer:

  If you're working while you continue your education, then yes. If you hope to substitute work for accounting classes, then no. Accountants progress more smoothly up the ladder based on their education -- not their experience. An accounting clerk receives direction for their tasks from an accountant...it's basically a data-entry job. After you have your degree, working as an auditor should put you in high-demand within the industry you audit.