Accountant

Full Job Description

This position is in the Wilmington VA Medical Center's Finance Service.

The purpose of this position is to perform the full range of professional accounting work requiring the application of sound accounting principles, theories, concepts, and practices.

The accountant must be vigilant in terms of accuracy, timeliness, and reporting requirements of each of the various functions assigned.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/24/2026.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS 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 oneof 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-09: 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..

Skill in accounting principles, theories concepts, and practices as well as related financial accounting regulations, policies, and procedures is required to ensure the effective operation of source document processing and to ensure the timely legality of funds and advising managers on the efficient flow of documents.

Able to make clear and convincing oral presentations and written reports to support conclusions and recommendations that are appropriate for the intended audience.

Skill to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Able to express information in a succinct and organized manner to all levels of the organization.

OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-9 level which is completion of two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education or a Master's Degree or equivalent graduate degree which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Accountant.

Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Combination Experience/Educatio: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-9 level. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).

Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

GS-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.

Proficient in functional areas in accounting, the work performed in each, and the various appropriations.

Skill in command organizations to provide guidance to the budget activities in the certification process and to lower-graded accountants on document processing and areas to contact for further research.

Proficient in automated accounting systems, local procedures, and management reports is required to review regulatory status reports and to provide advice to supervision and accountants in the design or modification of new or changed reports.

Skill to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Able to express information in a succinct and organized manner to all levels of the organization.

OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level which is completion of three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D.

degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Accountant.

(TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR Combination of Education/Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level.

Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

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:

The following duties include, but are not limited to: Maintain and control accounts and accounting transactions in a highly complex finance and accounting system.

Maintain and input data into the Financial Management System (FMS) integrated and automated double-entry accrual-based accounting system.

Classify and process transactions that include verifying the accuracy and completeness of the accounting data, compliance with regulations, determining the accounts and subsidiary accounts affected, and determining the entries to be made.

The incumbent carefully analyzes each document/transaction to determine the propriety of payment coordinates, resolves discrepancies and/or problems, and corrects rejects promptly.

Review transactions for timeliness and reasonableness and resolves problematic areas.

Verifies that obligations are set up timely and reports all delinquent obligations to the Assistant Financial Officer, taking action to ensure that delinquencies are corrected.

Ensure that funds are available to cover obligations to prevent anti-deficiency.

This includes a review of undelivered orders, accounts payable, accounts receivable, suspense, outstanding travel, travel expense reports, and others.

Examine accounts to verify their accuracy and the adequacy of supporting data. Researches and analyzes discrepancies or problems noted and determines the corrective entries required to adjust accounts.

Also recommends actions to prevent the recurrence of similar discrepancies.

Responsible for monitoring reported financial indicators by reviewing and taking action based on criteria to achieve a successful rating for the fiscal year.

Maintains oversight of the monthly open order process for Wilmington VA, ensuring that service line responses are received, reviewed, and acted on by all parties involved.

Process cost transfer adjustments between specified cost centers so that accurate costs are charged to the appropriate functional area.

Work to clear suspense timely with Consolidated Patient Account Center (CPAC), payroll, etc. Prepare the monthly purchase card accrual and bad debt adjustment.

Complete equipment reconciliation according to VAMC policies and procedures. Verify and reconcile accounts receivables. Maintain the facility Work in Process (WIP) listing.

The incumbent must work closely with engineering and contracting to complete reconciliations, timely capitalization of completed projects, and verify proper end dates on projects.

Assist other Financial Management Service Line employees, including other accountants, budget, payroll, and Agent Cashiers in researching discrepancies and determining the required entries to correct them.

Assists in training users in accounting systems and electronic invoicing systems, etc. Incumbent reviews and recommends amendments and changes to training guides and station circulars.

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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Accountant/PD01160A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized