Accounting Officer

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as the Director of the Operational Accounting Service (OAS) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Financial Services Center (FSC).

The position provides executive leadership and oversight of major operational accounting activities supporting VA financial management operations, including financial reporting, reconciliation of accounts, and financial systems oversight.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/02/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirements: 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.

AND Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-14 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Managing operational accounting activities, including oversight of financial reporting and reconciliation of accounts; Managing corrective action efforts to resolve audit findings and improve financial management operations; Interpreting and applying accounting policies, financial regulations, or legislative requirements related to financial management operations; and Leading or supervising professional accounting staff through subordinate supervisors, responsible for financial management or accounting programs.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accounting Operations Administration and Management Communications Financial Management Financial Systems Leadership 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. Major Duties:

Directs operational accounting activities supporting VA programs and financial management operations, including oversight of accounting processes, financial reporting, and reconciliation of accounts to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal accounting standards Oversees validation of financial data, reconciliation of integrated accounts across multiple accounting systems, and supports preparation of financial reports supporting agency operations Coordinates financial statement audit activities with oversight organizations, including the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and leads efforts to remediate audit findings, material weaknesses, and significant deficiencies Develops and implements internal control processes and corrective action plans designed to strengthen financial accountability and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of government resources Provides guidance and recommendations to improve financial management systems, including the Financial Management System (FMS), Integrated Financial and Acquisition Management System (iFAMS), and other systems supporting VA financial operations Serves as a senior advisor on financial management policies and accounting regulations and provides administrative and technical supervision to professional accounting staff, including assigning work, evaluating performance, and ensuring organizational goals are achieved Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available with supervisory approval.

Telework: Ad hoc telework (situational telework) available as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description Title/PD#: Accounting Officer/PD000890 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Physical Requirements: The position does not require strenuous physical activity nor does it require special physical characteristics.

10% travel may be required. Applicants selected for this position may be required to serve a one-year supervisory probationary period.

Failure to successfully complete the supervisory probationary period will result in the employee being reassigned to a position in the agency of no lower grade and pay than the one the employee left to accept the supervisory or managerial position.