Accountant

Full Job Description

This position is located at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center, in the Finance Service, Accounting Section and is a direct report to the Supervisory Accountant.

The incumbent must be experienced in applying professional concepts and methodologies.

In the absence of the Supervisory Accountant, the incumbent assumes technical responsibility for routine operation of the section requiring independent thinking, judgment, and an overall knowledge of the accounting operation.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/09/2026.

To qualify for the Accounting occupational series, applicants must meet the basic requirements as defined in the Office of Personnel Management's Individual Occupational Requirements.

Additionally, applicants must meet the specialized experience or education requirement for the specific grade level.

Basic Occupational Requirement: Bachelor's Degree: accounting; 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. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard.

Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.") OR, Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge.

The applicant's background must also include one of the following: Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality.

This can include up to 6 hours of business law; A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that; (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

Accountant GS-0510-9: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience is defined as knowledge of professional accounting principles and theory; this includes general ledger, cost and allotment accounting; Professional knowledge of accounting practices, methods, skills standards, and techniques required performing routine and non-routine assignments independently using procedures and practices that are conventional and apply to most situations encountered; Knowledge of accounting procedure related to appropriation funding, budget, allotment, obligations and disbursements.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond post-high school education as described above to meet total experience requirements at the GS-09 grade level for this position.

(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

Accountant GS-0510-11: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience is defined as experience applying concepts, theories, and principles of accounting and financial reporting; experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting; interpreting financial data and providing guidance to management; experience using accounting software/systems to ensure accurate record-keeping and efficient financial processes; and experience reconciling accounts, identifying discrepancies, and conducting audits.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

Successful completion of graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

Only graduate level education beyond the second year may be combined with experience (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education: For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Duties may include but are not limited to: Responsible for accounting and financial activities: providing systems analysis, advice, and design regarding Financial Management and Accounting systems used by VA.

Maintains various high profile accounting transactions, including fixed assets, environmental liabilities, and deferred maintenance, financial indicators and financial reports reconciliation, taking corrective action on financial system issues or reporting errors, providing training to VA field station staff, and participating in financial system(s) annual close out.

Performs analytical, evaluative, and interpretive duties on any accounting matter related to the above functions.

Provides technical expertise to accounting staff, as well as an adviser to higher management throughout the facility.

Responsible to perform comprehensive financial audits, analysis, and evaluation of the financial operations and procedures within the Fiscal Service.

This would include but is not limited to the following: conducts Unannounced Audits of Agent Cashier, periodic internal and external audits, and makes recommendations to the Supervisory Accountant for improving fiscal and accounting management, productivity and the quality of work performed.

Implements the corrective action plan for the discrepancies in the Finance Quality Assurance Reviews and maintain healthy VHA Financial Indicators, by conducting training for both new and seasoned employees to ensure these discrepancies are corrected and do not become recurring items on future Quality Assurance Reviews and red Financial Indicators.

Ensures that all employees in the section are kept informed of all new or revised procedures, as well as interpreting published accounting regulations and procedures.

Provides assistance, performs review, analysis and evaluation of existing and proposed accounting practices.

Reviews the work of other Accounting fiscal staff to assure accuracy and conformity to policy and procedures, instructing them when necessary, on proper methods and assigns projects to be accomplished.

Applies corresponding professional accounting knowledge and skills in the application of corrective procedures when necessary and provides technical advice and assistance to budget technicians/analysts in the resolution of problems.

Assists program managers in developing accounting data structure and participates in the planning, coordination, direction of meetings and telephone conferences associated with accounting closeouts or reorganization events.

Other tasks/duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. Telework: Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Accountant/PD22160A and PD22161A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.