ACCOUNTANT

Duties
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• Serves as a staff expert regarding the operational accounting functions and the application of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
• Proposes new procedures and methods or modifies existing procedures and methods to resolve current problems and enhance the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes.
• Identifies problem areas and determines actions required to improve operating program effectiveness, ensure the propriety of accounting transaction processing, and maintain the integrity of accounting records and financial information.
• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates a variety of incoming accounting reports to interpret results of operations, track financial trends and events, and resolve complex and diverse fiduciary and/or financial management problems.
• Examines internal controls systems and analyzes/evaluates effectiveness, adequacy, and interrelationships within/among segments of the system and other segments within the organization.
• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the status of performance measurement and financial management information indicators for assessing the health and effectiveness of accounting operations.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Time in Grade Requirement - see the Qualifications field below for more details.
• Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification
• New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
• The incumbent of this position will be required to be physically on-site full-time, regular telework is not authorized for this position.

Qualifications

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 need to 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 (GS-11) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized Experience is defined as: 1) Demonstrating expert knowledge in the use of statistical packages for analyzing datasets (For example Excel and ACL) 2) Comprehensive knowledge of financial management principles and practices pertaining to automated data processing systems, analytical methods, and system testing techniques. 3) Conducting special studies related to analyzing enterprise-wide program changes to the operation of financial management systems AND 4) Participating in review of financial systems to assess their compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in Federal Service.

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.

Education

Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

• The General Schedule (GS) basic pay schedule may vary by geographic locality. To view pay rates in a specific location visit the Office of Personnel Management pay tables at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/
• Moving expenses may be paid.
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here .
• For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements .
• Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
• We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.
• Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
• A one year probationary or trial period may be required.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.
• This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Travel requirement is seldom 1-24%.
• This position iscovered by a bargaining unit.
• Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300 here )
• 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/?
• The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
• Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.