Management Accounting & Finance
2026 Government Insight
Sponsored by the AICPA’s Government Performance
and Accountability Committee (GPAC)
August 2026
Thinking about the job market for accounting graduates can create a laundry list of feelings. You could start with excitement - and if you hold off on commitment - wind up with crushing disappointment after missing your dream job opportunity. People are hesitant to commit for many reasons. You may be weighing job creation numbers, overall demand, the impact of artificial intelligence and whether to live in the big city, the suburbs or rural America. But for recent graduates, and even career-mature accountants, making any career move can feel difficult. Whether you are starting your career as a soon-to-be CPA or you are someone that has already passed the exam – the move to a state, local or federal government is an incredibly viable choice. There have been numerous opportunities; one only needs to look at the last few years to see that there have been immense changes around regulations, hiring and early retirements. Imagine wielding your skills as an accountant in any of these parts of the government. In all three, you will find public servants committed to making positive changes that impact the lives of their community, the country and even beyond the borders of the United States. Financial statement audits, grant programs, school audits, financial research and analysis are some of the many options available to recent college graduates and experienced accountants. For those interested in travel, both foreign and domestic, the possibilities still abound.
Start your process with a base resume, unfortunately, depending on the positions you apply for, there will likely be a need to maintain multiple versions. Keep a copy of your transcripts nearby, even if you have several years of experience, as many government agencies require them. Finally, remind yourself why you chose this major and profession. Even if you’ve overcome all the hard challenges you have come across, not getting the job you applied for can be difficult. There are no easy answers; network, call a friend or parent, but keep pushing forward - the only limit is a willingness to commit and continue. It can be arduous, overwhelming in some cases, but give yourself plenty of runway to apply, and don’t hesitate to submit multiple applications. Most states have their own portal for civil service jobs but there are some aggregators that may be an indirect route for applying.
The federal government maintains a revolving selection of jobs located at the portal: Usajobs.gov.