Government Contracts Manager: Salary and Career Profile
Government contracts manager careers are one of the many employment options available to individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. While a commercial contracts manager negotiates agreements between two businesses, a government contracts manager handles contract negotiations and execution for the sale of goods and services to government agencies. They develop proposals, draft terms and conditions and follow up on each step of the contract.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects steady employment growth for purchasing managers and agents in the coming years. Opportunities are expected to vary among industries and specific occupations.
With contracts becoming more complex, expert management practices become even more important – especially when lucrative government contracts are at stake. The best government contracts manager career opportunities usually go to applicants with advanced education, certifications and relevant experience.
Government Contracts Manager Job Duties
Government contracts managers are responsible for a company’s successful delivery of goods and services to federal, state or local government agencies. They manage a variety of contracts and subcontracts in accordance with company procedures, applicable laws and government requirements. These contract experts provide advice to upper management and project teams on compliance and fulfillment.
Typical job duties for government contracts managers include preparing proposals; writing contract terms and conditions; preparing and disseminating information regarding contract status; reviewing contractual obligations; identifying risks and problems, and proposing solutions to them; and regular reporting to project teams, accounting staff and management. They also act as liaisons between their companies and the government agency.
Government contracts managers usually work in offices. Depending on the industry, they may be required to travel. Certain contract phases may be stressful and can require long working hours.
Government Contracts Manager Salary Potential
Salaries for government contracts managers vary among employers and industries. National salary data on PayScale.com indicated that contracts manager salaries ranged between $59,084 and $105,557 in July 2010. Recent bachelor’s graduates with minimal experience will generally start out toward the lower end of the range, while the top salaries generally go to those with more experience, advanced education and professional certifications.
Education and Training
Most employers prefer to hire government contracts managers with at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field. Some seek to hire candidates who hold an MBA with a specialization in accounting and finance. Priority is often given to applicants who hold contracts manager certification from the National Contract Management Association.
The first step to government contracts manager careers is often a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Program coursework often includes statistics, economics, finance, political science and public administration.
Employers can be confident that graduates of an accounting education program are able to:
- Evaluate and establish accounting procedures and systems.
- Adhere to specific industry rules and regulations.
- Incorporate accepted accounting principles into government contracts.
- Understand the tax laws that apply to various industries.
- Apply knowledge gained from a bachelor’s program toward an advanced degree or industry certification.
The Path to Government Contracts Manager Careers
Successful government contracts managers are professional, detail-oriented and talented negotiators. They must have strong knowledge of accounting methods and government requirements. If you possess these qualities and are up to the challenge of analyzing and preparing contracts, you could achieve success in a government contracts manager career.
