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DK Career Guide

Navy

DK: Disbursing Clerk

Career transition guide for Navy Disbursing Clerk (DK)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for DK veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Payroll Specialist

$55K
High matchHigh demand

Accounting Clerk

$45K
High matchStable demand

Auditor

$70K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification

Financial Analyst

$85K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Financial ModelingData AnalysisBachelor's Degree in Finance

Bank Teller

$35K
Good matchStable demand

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your DK training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

Following strict financial regulations and military protocols is essential to ensure accurate disbursement of funds and maintain audit readiness. This includes adhering to guidelines for processing payments, maintaining records, and handling sensitive financial data.

In civilian roles, this translates to meticulously following established procedures, whether in finance, healthcare, or regulatory compliance. You understand the importance of accuracy and adherence to guidelines to minimize errors and maintain accountability.

Resource Optimization

Managing and disbursing government funds efficiently requires optimizing the use of available resources, including time, personnel, and financial assets. This involves prioritizing tasks, allocating funds appropriately, and identifying areas for improvement in disbursement processes.

This skill translates to effectively managing resources in any business setting. You are adept at identifying and implementing strategies to maximize efficiency, minimize waste, and ensure the optimal allocation of resources to achieve organizational goals.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining awareness of changes in financial regulations, military policies, and operational requirements is crucial for disbursing clerks. This involves staying informed about updates, anticipating potential issues, and adapting disbursement procedures accordingly to ensure compliance and accuracy.

In the civilian world, your situational awareness allows you to stay ahead of the curve by monitoring industry trends, regulatory changes, and market conditions. You can anticipate potential challenges and proactively adjust strategies to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.

After-Action Analysis

Reviewing disbursement processes, identifying errors, and implementing corrective actions are essential to improve efficiency and prevent future issues. This involves analyzing reports, identifying trends, and collaborating with team members to develop and implement process improvements.

Your experience in after-action analysis will allow you to critically assess project outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance performance. You excel at learning from past experiences and using those insights to drive continuous improvement and achieve better results.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-2000

You've been rigorously trained to adhere to financial regulations and military protocols. Your experience in maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with established procedures directly translates to the role of a Compliance Officer, where you'll be responsible for ensuring that a company adheres to legal standards and internal policies. You are detail-oriented, analytical, and possess a strong understanding of regulatory requirements, making you an ideal candidate for this position.

Fraud Investigator

SOC 13-2011

Your background in handling financial records and disbursing funds has equipped you with the skills to detect irregularities and potential fraud. As a Fraud Investigator, you will leverage your analytical abilities and attention to detail to investigate suspicious activity, gather evidence, and prevent financial crimes. Your experience in maintaining accurate records and following established procedures will be invaluable in this role.

Budget Analyst

SOC 13-2031

You've been responsible for managing and disbursing government funds, which has given you a solid foundation in budgeting and financial analysis. Your experience in tracking expenditures, preparing reports, and optimizing resource allocation makes you well-suited for the role of a Budget Analyst. You'll use your analytical skills and attention to detail to develop budgets, monitor spending, and provide financial recommendations to organizations.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Disbursing Clerk 'A' School, Meridian, MS

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in accounting or business administration

Topics Covered

  • Basic Accounting Principles
  • Navy Financial Regulations
  • Disbursing Procedures
  • Payroll Processing
  • Travel Voucher Processing
  • Automated Disbursing Systems (ADS)
  • Customer Service
  • Auditing Procedures

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)30% covered

Requires a bachelor's degree in accounting, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and meeting specific state licensing requirements regarding experience.

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)60% covered

Requires passing three exams covering governmental accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and budgeting. Some study on government-specific accounting standards is needed.

Certified Payroll Professional (CPP)70% covered

In-depth knowledge of advanced payroll concepts, tax regulations, and compliance is needed. Focus study on U.S. payroll laws.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM)Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (Navy ERP)SAP Financial Accounting (FI)
Standard Accounting, Budgeting, and Reporting System (SABRS)Oracle Financials Cloud
Defense Travel System (DTS)Concur Travel & Expense
Automated Disbursing Officer System (ADOS)Treasury Management Systems
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) SystemsAutomated Clearing House (ACH) payment systems
Cash Management System (CMS)Bank of America CashPro, Treasury Management Software

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