Think of vouchers as a type of IOU, such as for travel expense reimbursements or for office supplies; or, as invoices that a service provider submits after performing a service. Voucher examiners work for branches of the military and for federal agencies, auditing, processing and preparing vouchers for payment. As a voucher examiner, you may also be responsible for payroll, accounting and other office activities.
Primary Responsibilities
After someone submits a voucher, you make sure it is eligible for payment. If you're reviewing a voucher for work-related travel reimbursement, for example, you’d make sure you have all corresponding receipts and that the expenses meet company guidelines. You may process the payment yourself or authorize someone else to pay it. You may also work directly with a vendor or employee and set up voucher rates, conditions and terms and also if any payment issues come up.
Basic Requirements
To work for the U.S. government or the military, you must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and must pass a background check and drug test. Some employers, such as the U.S. Army, also want you to type pretty quickly -- at least 40 words per minute. The military and other federal agencies don’t exempt women from working as voucher examiners. In fact, certain employers, such as USAID Afghanistan, strongly encourage women to apply.
Education and Experience
How much education and experience you need varies by employer. The Department of Veterans Affairs in Portland, Oregon, for example, prefers candidates who have a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of relevant experience. USAID Afghanistan requires its voucher examiners to have a college or technical degree in accounting or auditing and at least three years experience in examining vouchers, accounting or related fiscal work. It also prefers candidates who have worked for at least two years as a voucher examiner at a U.S. government agency.
Skills
As a voucher examiner, you must be fluent in several computer applications and programs, including word-processing, spreadsheet, bookkeeping and accounting software. Your employer may also want you to be familiar with specific software, such as IFCAP, FBCS and VISTA. Working well with others and on your own can also help you succeed as a voucher examiner as will having strong math skills. You should also be familiar with and know how to apply any rules and regulations your employer has about paying vouchers.
References
Writer Bio
William Henderson has been writing for newspapers, magazines and journals for more than 15 years. He served as editor of the "New England Blade" and is a former contributor to "The Advocate." His work has also appeared on The Good Men Project, Life By Me and The Huffington Post.