4 Popular Accounting Careers in the Indian Defence Forces
Accounting jobs in India have observed a steady growth in recent years. Every business, organisation, and company today requires skilled accounting professionals to manage their accounting and finances. For an aspiring accountant looking to secure a strong position, there are plenty of job openings across corporate and government institutions.
Apart from the private sector, finance jobs are in high demand in the national service. Individuals looking to build a career in accounting can opt for jobs in the Indian Defence Forces, where finance professionals manage payroll, budgeting, financial planning and procurement that are required on a large scale. Finance jobs in the Indian army offer structured career growth along with a disciplined work culture, government-backed security and an opportunity to serve the nation.
Importance of Accounting in the Indian Defence Forces
The Indian defence forces operate on a massive scale. There are huge budgets involved, which cover personnel salaries, weapon procurement, logistics, research, infrastructure development and so on. This calls for effective financial management to ensure:
- Transparent use of public funds.
- Budget planning for personnel training and defence operations.
- Tracking defence expenditure on arms and ammunition.
- Providing data for long-term strategic planning.
- Timely payrolls, payments and allowances to defence employees, suppliers and veterans.
Accounting and finance professionals with practical accounting knowledge are required across all armed forces and defence organisations, such as the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, the Defence Accounts Department and the Ministry of Defence. Each organisation has its own criteria, examinations and rules to be eligible for the finance role.
Here are some of the most popular accounting careers in the Indian Defence Forces.
#1 Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS)
The Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) falls under the prestigious Group ‘A’ category, responsible for managing major financial aspects of the Indian Armed Forces. IDAS officers ensure money across all defence organisations and allied establishments is planned well, spent correctly and audited transparently.
Key Responsibilities:
- Control defence budget and expenditure
- Give financial advice
- Perform internal audits
- Monitor procurement finance and contract vetting
- Pension disbursement for veterans
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian citizenship
- Age – 21-32 years
- A bachelor’s degree from an affiliated university
- All stages of UPSC CSE cleared
Salary & Career Growth:
IDAS offers a competitive Indian Army accountant salary, starting from ₹56,100 + allowances and rapid career growth opportunities. IDAS has clear hierarchies, starting from
- Junior Time Scale
- Senior Time Scale
- Junior Administrator Grade
- Selection Grade
- Senior Administrator Grade
- Higher Administrator Grade
- Apex Scale.
Vacancy & Notification Details:
Vacancies for IDAS are announced every year in January. The number of vacancies of CA in the Indian Army varies depending on the government requirements, but they are comparatively limited. IDAS Notification is usually released in January. The prelims are usually scheduled in May and the mains are scheduled in August or September.
#2 Accounts Officer / Audit Officer
Accounts and Audit officers in defence are recruited under the Indian Defence Accounts Department (IDAD), who plays a crucial role in managing, tracking and auditing the finances of defence establishments. These officers ensure that public funds utilised across the Army, Air Force, Navy and other defence organisations are spent lawfully and efficiently.
Key Responsibilities:
- Handle salary and pension payments
- Scrutinise procurement
- Perform an audit of defence establishments
- Vendor and contractor payments
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian citizenship
- Age – 21-32 years for Group A (through UPSC Civil Services examination), 18-30 years for Group B (through SSC examination)
- A bachelor’s degree from an affiliated university
Salary & Career Growth:
The salary of an army auditor job starts from around ₹56,000 per month + allowances in the Group A category and ₹44,000 + allowances in the Group B category. The career path in IDAD grows from:
- Assistant Audit/Accounts Officer
- Senior Audit/Accounts Officer
- Deputy Accountant General
- Senior Deputy Account General
- Principal Accountant General
Vacancy & Notification Details:
Vacancies in IDAD vary depending on the departmental requirements, but are limited. The army accountant vacancy and notifications are usually announced in February for the Group A category and in April-May for the Group B category.
#3 Finance & Accounts Officer – Military Engineer Services (MES)
Finance & accounts office (FAO) is another key role in the Indian defence forces responsible for managing finances, accounting, audit and expenditure of the defence’s large construction and engineering projects. FAO ensures the large-scale funds are utilised in compliance with financial rules and audit, while advising military and engineering authorities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Scrutinise payment of bills related to defence construction work
- Allocate budget, control expenditure and audit
- Submit financial reporting
- Provide financial advice
- Ensure compliance with defence rules and regulations
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian citizenship
- Age – 21-32 years for the Group A (through UPSC Civil Services examination) candidates, 18-30 years for the Group B (through SSC examination) candidates
- A bachelor’s degree from an affiliated university
Salary & Career Growth:
The salary of FAOs starts from ₹44,900 + allowances for junior finance and accounts officers, and goes higher from ₹56,100 and above for senior or Group A level candidates. Career progression depends on vacancy and performance, which goes from:
- Junior FAO
- Senior FAO
- Deputy Controller
- Joint Controller
Vacancy & Notification Details:
Vacancies in MES are generally announced based on project requirements and workload. Notifications are usually published in February and March for the Group A posts and in April and May for the Group B posts.
#4 Regimental Accounts Officer (RAO)
Regimental Accounts Officer in the armed forces refers to job positions responsible for managing financial administration within regiments and battalions. RAOs play a crucial role in maintaining allowances, pay, contingencies and audits for troops.
Key Responsibilities:
- Maintaining unit accounts and regiments
- Budgeting of contingencies and their expenditures
- Preparation of salaries, allowances and claims of personnel
- Audit readiness of unit accounts
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian citizenship
- Age – 18-30 years for the Group B posts, 18-30 years for Group B (through SSC examination) and higher age limits for the Group A posts according to UPSC norms.
- A bachelor’s degree from an affiliated university
Salary & Career Growth:
The salary of RAOs starts from ₹44,900 + allowances and can go higher depending on grade and promotion. Career path progresses from:
- Auditor/Accountant
- Assistant Accounts Officer
- Senior Accounts Officer
- Deputy Controller
- Joint Controller
Vacancy & Notification Details:
Vacancies for Regimental Accounts Officer are announced every year, but the number of vacancies depends on the administrative and operational requirements. Notifications are usually released in February for the Group A posts and in April-May for the Group B posts.
FAQs
What examinations are required to get hired as an accountant in the Defence Forces?
Defence forces hire Group A accounting officers through UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) via the Civil Services Examination.
Is it mandatory to have a background in finance to join the defence accounting team?
No. The army accountant job qualification requires graduation in any field. However, candidates having a background in accounting, finance and commerce can have a stronger position.
Is it a field-based or desk-based job?
Any accounting role in defence forces is primarily desk-based, but the candidate may get posted in operational areas and cantonments.
Can females pursue accounting careers in the defence forces?
Absolutely. Both males and females can apply for accounting careers in the defence forces and enjoy equal pay, roles and growth opportunities.
Join Munimji to Boost Your Career in Accounting
A job in defence allows you to follow your passion as well as gives you a chance to serve the nation. If you are looking to build a career in accounting, Munimji offers specialised accounting and taxation courses in Ahmedabad, helping aspiring accountants gain the technical expertise and hands-on experience required for defence-related financial services.
Sources:
https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/idas-indian-defence-accounts-service
https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/indian-defence-accounts-service-idas-service-profile-pay-scales/
https://odishacareer.com/how-to-become-an-indian-defence-accounts-service-idas-officer/

