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Posted: April 14, 2026 (0 days ago)

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Supervisory Cost Accountant

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management

Department of Labor

Fresh

Location

Salary

$143,913 - $187,093

per year

Closes

April 20, 2026

GS-13 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $88,520 - $115,079

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-12. Expert-level knowledge in field.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading a team in reviewing and negotiating cost proposals for government contracts and grants, ensuring costs are allocated fairly and follow federal rules.

It focuses on developing uniform methods for handling indirect costs in the Department of Labor.

A good fit would be an experienced accountant with supervisory skills and deep knowledge of federal financial regulations, who enjoys guiding others and working with diverse organizations like states and nonprofits.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field with 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing (or equivalent combination of education and experience, such as CPA certification)
  • At least 52 weeks of specialized experience at GS-13 level or equivalent, including indirect cost proposals and pre-award reviews compliant with FAR Part 31 and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
  • Experience developing cost methodologies for recognizing, determining, accumulating, and reporting costs
  • Experience managing negotiations of indirect cost rates and cost allocation plans for entities like state, local, commercial, and non-profit organizations
  • Demonstrated leadership experience, such as leading a team, providing advice/guidance, or training others on federal cost principles
  • Meet time-in-grade (52 weeks at GS-12) and time-after-competitive-appointment (90 days) eligibility within 30 days of closing date

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Cost/Price Determination Division (CPDD) of the Office of the Senior Procurement Executive.

CPDD is responsible for the development and maintenance of a uniform approach to the determination of indirect costs and cost allocation plans, and the issuance of indirect cost rate agreements for Department of Labor contacts and grants.

Activities are based on the requirements of 2CFR Part 200, OMB Circulars and Federal Acquisitions Regulation (FAR).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of time-in-grade (52 weeks at the next lower grade), time-after-competitive-appointment (90 days), and minimum qualifications (52 weeks equivalent to the next lower grade in federal service).

These requirements must be met within 30 days of 04/20/2026 the announcement closing date.

You must meet both the Basic Requirements and the Specialized Experience to qualify for Supervisory Cost Accountant, as described below. Basic Requirements: A.

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 B.

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: 1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality.

This can include up to 6 hours of business law; 2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or 3.

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.

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, GS-13, in the Federal Service.

Specialized experience is defined as: Performing indirect cost proposals and pre-award cost reviews using accounting and financial data in compliance with applicable Federal cost principles, such as the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (FAR) Part 31 and the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).

Examples of specialized experience include - Developing cost methodologies to recognize, determine, accumulate and report cost activities.

-Managing and executing negotiations of indirect cost rates and cost allocation plans for stakeholders such as state, local, commercial, and non-profit entities.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate experience either, leading a team OR providing advice/guidance OR training to others in interpretation of Federal cost principles. Major Duties:

The following are the duties of a GS-14 Supervisory Cost Accountant: Establish effective cost methods to identify, track, and report activity expenses for management.

Interpret laws/regulations and develop clear guidelines for program users.

Develop and deliver training on cost principles, cost determination and allocation, indirect costs, and related topics for Cost/Price determination.

Lead negotiations involving policy interpretation of indirect cost rates/cost allocation plans for organizations on Federal grants and contracts.

Resolve conflicting points of view between the auditor and grantee/contractor officials. Provide policy interpretation and guidance to staff. Plan, coordinate, and review the work of staff.

Manage change in project direction, scope, structure, and content. Recognize weaknesses and potential problem areas in current policy/procedures.

Recommend policy change and assist in the formulation of such policies.

Maintain relationships with other entities to discuss cost components and the implementation of cost policies, guidelines, and procedures related to indirect costs. Other duties as assigned

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Posted on USAJOBS: 4/14/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 4/14/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: MS-26-CHI-OSPE-12923647-JLU