u/Alive-Wafer-4689

I'm sure this has been asked here before but:

I had accepted a DCAA auditor position and am now at the stage of completing my SF86. I am currently employed at job, but have not worked here long. It was one of the only firms that gave me an opportunity so I am very grateful for them.

I understand I have to provide my employment history up to the present moment and really don't want my supervisor to get a call that one of the newest employees is already looking at another job. The reality is that I do like where I am at right now, but pay and future career opportunities are better if I had this DCAA position. (better for the career I want to pursue)

Will the investigator call my employer and straight up tell them I am being considered for a new job with the DCAA?

Should I keep trying to hide that I am looking at this job opportunity, or come clean?

What exactly will they interview them about?

I recently got an offer from the DCAA starting a little over 70k. Because of the career ladder, my base would go to a little over 85k after 52 weeks, and then over 100k after the next 52 weeks (3-4 years total). This seems crazy to me as someone who just graduated with my masters and only had offers in public accounting (not Big 4 sadly) all around 64-65K.

I know there a a lot of opportunities that public accounting can open you to, but just based off the pay scale the DCAA seems like a better path to start out. I also haven't felt as much pressure to complete my CPA as soon as I can as I have with public accounting.

Am I crazy for choosing to take a government accounting path over a public accounting path?

Could I get to a pay situation in public accounting similar to the DCAA in 3-4 years without being at a Big 4?