ACCOUNTANT

Full Job Description

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment. This position has a positive education requirement.

To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below: (1) Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting.

The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.

OR (2) Candidates may also qualify through a combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.

You need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position.

Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is defined as: Experience in providing authoritative accounting guidance; developing and implementing financial policies and procedures; conducting in-depth financial analysis, studies, and special audits to ensure regulatory compliance; managing internal controls; and collaborating with diverse stakeholders to ensure the reliability and accuracy of financial operations and reporting.

Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement.

Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in Federal Service.

** To verify you meet the time-in-grade requirement, please provide a copy of a recent SF-50 that shows you have completed at least 52 weeks at the next lower grade level.** Examples of qualifying SF-50s include: Within-Grade Increase (WGI) Promotion Any SF-50, if its effective date allows a specialist to calculate 52 weeks of service.

(The effective date is in the upper-right corner of the SF-50) You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Major Duties:

• Providing expert accounting advice and assistance to supported organizations, technicians, and lower-graded accountants to resolve diverse and complex accounting problems.
• Serves as a staff expert on operational accounting. This includes interpreting, developing, modifying, and integrating accounting policies and procedures to enhance the accuracy and integrity of financial processes.
• Establishes, monitors, and evaluates the effectiveness of internal control systems. This involves correcting deficiencies and recommending changes to prevent weaknesses.
• Maintaining contact with management and program officials, responding to customer inquiries about data discrepancies, and coordinating with budget personnel on financial matters.
• Performing special audits, studies, or reviews to determine the reliability and accuracy of accounting reports and financial statements.
• Provide analyses and reconciliations related to the more complex accounting functions which have very high visibility, involve more than one system and involve a large number of transactions cross-leveling interrelated systems.
• Identify problem areas and determine actions required to improve operating program effectiveness and to maintain the integrity of financial information.