Accounting Technician

Full Job Description

This position serves as an Accounting Technician for the Centralized Accounting Office (CAO) of VISN 20.

This position will be assigned to either one of two primary FMS access functions; Obligators or Payers.

The primary purpose of this position is to classify accounting transactions, maintain and reconcile accounts, close accounts and prepare reports and statements, analyze accounting data, and examine accounts.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet Time-In-Grade and Specialized Experience requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 04/20/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

For a GS-5 position you must have held a GS-3 or higher. For a GS-6 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-6.

The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.

If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement.

In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-5 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-4) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Performing basic accounting and financial tasks by following standard procedures; reviewing and processing financial transactions for accuracy and completeness; and using automated systems to enter data and manage records.

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

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed four (4) years of education above the high school level in any field which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite.

Note: Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education (beyond the second year) and specialized experience as described above that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of this Accounting Technician position.

GS-6 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-5) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Applying knowledge of accounting and financial rules to review, process, and maintain a variety of financial transactions; resolving standard discrepancies and ensuring records comply with policies; and using automated systems and recommending improvements to procedures.

GS-7 Minimum Qualifications: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-6) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Using detailed knowledge of accounting, budget, and financial regulations to manage complex financial functions; reviewing and maintaining interrelated fiscal transactions, resolving complex issues, and ensuring compliance with regulations; investigating and reconciling discrepancies, and assisting in improving or developing automated accounting systems.

NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position AND the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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.

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:

Major duties include but is not limited to: Validates, monitors, controls, and maintains accounting transactions and accounting records for multiple accounts.

Reconciles subsidiary ledgers to general ledgers for accounts having a variety of transactions. Researches discrepancies between ledgers and makes adjustments.

Reconciles detailed listings of outstanding transactions to general ledger accounts.

Maintains control accounts and subsidiary accounts and processes accounting transactions for a wide variety of functions including obligations, accrued expenditures, disbursements, appropriation refunds, reimbursable orders, earnings, collections, expenditure vouchers, cost transfers, rejected transactions, inter-fund bills, travel, training orders, and other accounts in connection with the general ledger.

Performs a variety of special assignments involving the collection, analysis, and reporting of data for budget preparation.

Participates in the internal audits of Fiscal programs, vulnerability assessments, systematic internal reviews, quality assurance programs, safety inspections, control point audits and many other program audits involving cost, obligation and receivable accounting systems.

Performs either the FMS (Financial Management System) obligator or payer function.

The incumbent is required to work in either function and will be cross-trained to facilitate future succession planning.

Performs work as described above in direct support of the Centralized Accounting Unit and functions as a team member. Provides assistance and training to fund control point contacts.

Recognizes and advises the supervisor and/or the lead accountant of unusual training needs for these contacts.

May include other duties as assigned to accomplish the goals of the Centralized Accounting Section, the Fiscal Department, the Medical Center, the VISN or VA Central Office as related to accounting or other activities.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30pm or 7:00 am to 3:30 pm PST Telework: Not authorized. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Accounting Technician/PD10149A, PD10157A, and PD10158A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Promotion Potential: This is a developmental position leading to a GS-7 level, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision.

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.