Every year, a few oblivious aspirants, crack SSC, and choose the highly coveted post of DA.
Since there is no clear structure, it is difficult for the aspirant to understand his KRA's and also to prepare for the upcoming qualifier exam, also known as DAGE.
Having gone and still going through the same rigamarole, I decided to try and create a walkthrough for the uninformed.
Immediately after the joining and documentation, one is posted in any of the divisions of the chosen stage.
Here one has up to an average of 2 years of the probationary period to crack the Divisional Accountant Department Examination.
Though you will easily find other details online and through your peers, it is more challenging to find the relevant study material for the same. I shall guide you on the same.
There are 5 subjects, and thus 5 papers
1. Essay or Precis and Draft, and Grammar
2. Elementary book-keeping
T.S. Grewal's Double Entry Book Keeping: Financial Accounting Textbook for CBSE Class 11
3. Public Works Accounts and Procedure(Practical)
(1). The preparation and examination of initial accounts, stock and tools and plant returns, contractors’ bills and other bills and vouchers
(2). The classification and compilation of divisional accounts
(3). Delegation of Financial Powers Rules of the State Government
4. Public Works Accounts and Procedure(Theory)
CPWD Works Manual 2019
Nabhi Publication's CPWA Code to translate the above.
Besides this, I would also like to refer you to PWD Accounts by S.R. Jairath.
It is the one manual sworn by pretty much anyone you'd talk to in your cadre.
5. General Accounts, Treasury & Financial Rules (both Central & State Government)
i. The Government Accounting Rules
ii. General Financial Rules 2017
For this, Swamy's General Financial rules and advances are a reference.
iii. Central(Volumes I&II) and State Treasury Rules
iv. Fundamental and Supplementary Rules
Duties and Responsibilities of a DAO
1. He is the Financial Advisor of the Executive Engineer of the concerned division.
2. He is the liaison with the Accountant General Office.
3. He is responsible to pre-audit the monthly account submitted by the Sub-Divisional offices under his division.
4. He is responsible to prepare the budget, reconciliation, and appropriation proposals to assist the Executive Engineer and submitting the same to the higher office/ Accountant General office.
5. He is responsible to the Divisional officer for the work of his section which includes correspondence concerning accounts etc. The Accountant is the compiler of the account of the Division as per the prescribed rules.
6. In the discharge of the duties enumerated, he is to keep himself duly conversant with all sanctions and orders, passing through the office and his subordinates which may affect the estimates or accounts of actual or anticipated receipts and charges.
7. He shall be responsible to bring to the Divisional Officer’s notice all instances in which subordinate officers exceed the financial limitations on their powers placed by the Divisional officer or higher authorities. He is also to see that
expenditure which is within the competency of the Divisional Officer to sanction or regularize is not incurred as a matter of course under the orders of a subordinate disbursing officer without his knowledge. All such items of expenditure should at once be brought to the notice of the Executive Engineer and his orders obtained and placed on record.
8. He is responsible for the preparation of Paras, draft para as well as CAG report and timely submission of these reports to Govt. as well as to quarter concerned. He is also responsible for the settlement of paras. He is fully responsible for any financial lapse. He is also responsible for the timely submission of the monthly account to the AG office and also fully responsible for the preparation of this account.
Challenges
One potent challenge a probationer may face, is the dual charge between the Accountant General Office, and the Executive Engineer holding the office in which they are posted.
Here, of my own experience, I suggest thee, do your work well, but don't worry about the ExEn. Eventually, only the Principle Accountant General governs your fate, and they tend to be supportive.
Another thing worth mentioning is that if one peruses Quora and other forums, there's a lot of talk about having a lot of time available to pursue other activities. My honest 'two cents' is that first become indispensable and proficient/adept at the work you've been selected to do, then diversify.
One book I would like to suggest for newly minted central government employees is the Swamy's Handbook for Central Government Staff.
Additional Links
-
CPWD
for its effective working has developed the following
codes, manuals, schedules, technical
specifications, design manuals, and other necessary technical
publications. The
important ones are provided in the following link:
https://cpwd.gov.in/Documents/cpwd_publication.aspx - CAG is who you work for and represent. Thus it makes sense to have handy access to their website.
https://cag.gov.in/en
https://cag.gov.in/ag/himachal-pradesh/en - And this is the link to my Dropbox collection where I compiled all relevant material I could find for the DAGE preparation and our further duty in this post https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1lg52nvcvcoh3xe/AAAvk-KV9-0TbSNVd_n11p5Ua?dl=0
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