ACCOUNTANT

Full Job Description

Who may apply: United States Citizens All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply online, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.

Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.

This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency.

Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received.

Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period..

Applicants MUST have related financial experience AND/OR a related financial degree (examples include: Finance, Accounting, Management, Actuarial Science, or related), in addition to meeting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification requirements.

Substitution of combination of education and experience must still, in conjunction, minimally satisfy the DHA qualification requirement.

Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria.

Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe this in your resume.

Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient. 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 MUST 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 in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

To be hired at the GS-09 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level defined as: utilizing established accounting standards to compile, analyze, and summarize accounting data resulting from day-to-day accounting operations, maintaining the integrity of financial accounts, or preparing financial statements and/or reports in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulations.

To be hired at the GS-11 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level defined as: interpreting and applying accounting principles, policies, and procedures, assisting in designing, implementing and assessing of internal accounting control processes, or ensuring the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes and regulations.

Volunteer Experience: 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; religious; spiritual, community, student, social).

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

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

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.

This position will be covered by a formal training under the DFAS Career Acclimation Program (DCAP).

The purpose of this program is to develop well-qualified, well-trained, high potential employees for future positions within DFAS.

Promotion is conditional based on performance, successful completion of training, and availability of higher graded work. Participants who do not successfully complete the program may be separated.

This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment.

If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 2 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period.

Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service.

Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at: https://www.dfas.mil/onboarding2/certifications/?

Major Duties:

• Applying knowledge and understanding of accounting systems and "feeder" systems and the ability to deal effectively and logically in solving program/system issues.
• Analysis and reconciliation of accounting data to include identification of errors and development of mitigating actions.
• Providing professional accounting advice and assistance to both internal leadership and DoD customers in the application and compliance of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
• Obtaining financial audit results, establishing and monitoring internal controls to identify problem areas; determining actions to improve operating program effectiveness to ensure and maintain the integrity of financial and accounting information.
• Processing and validating accounting transactions in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Duties will be developmental in nature when position is filled below full performance level of GS-11.