Accountant

Duties

Serves as an Accountant in the Financial Reports Office, and performs a variety of accounting duties related to the daily operations of the central accounting functions and reporting of the Library of Congress and other Legislative Branch cross service agencies. The Library's complex funding and accounting environment includes accounting and control of appropriated, reimbursable, revolving, and gift and trust funds which use one-year, no-year, and multi-year funds. The work requires a basic knowledge of and the application of federal governmental accounting principles and procedures. The incumbent is responsible for performing data validation, data analysis, transaction processing, accounting systems support, accounting for funds control activities, cost accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, accounting procedures documentation and audit support. The Financial Reports Office prides itself on providing timely and accurate financial statements, using sound judgement in performing analytical work, using innovative business practices and techniques, and providing excellent customer service.

Validates basic data using established accounting principles and practices. Analyzes accounting data and reconciles source documents to determine accuracy of all transactions. Investigates and corrects errors encountered. Reviews and follows regulatory requirements for government accounting procedures.
Performs analysis and reconciliation of day-to-day accounts, making adjustments using established accounting practices. Participates in various reconciliation activities to ensure that subsidiary ledgers are reconciled to general ledger accounts. Solves basic out of balance conditions. Performs continuous analyses and reconciliation of transactions.

Applies conventional accounting principles to journalize accounting transactions to the general ledger in a functional area such as payroll, cost, property, reimbursable, inventory, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. Reviews changes in procedures and processes to ensure that accounting records are being updated properly. Refers findings to the supervisor and makes recommendations for corrective action.

Performs assignments related to fund control activities for stable programs with established and documented requirements. Analyzes accounting functions, ensuring that appropriate transactions are recorded in the accounting system within prescribed deadlines. Studies existing reports, accounts, or instructions to streamline operations or provide reports with greater detail. Prepares specific instructions for ongoing operations. Ensures recurring reports are compiled and completed on time.

Provides support and assists with analyzing and evaluating cost accounting information utilizing conventional procedures and practices to produce accounting reports and financial statements. Conducts reconciliation and maintenance of transactions. Prepares monthly schedules for activity reporting, relevant account reconciliations and federal financial reporting.

Analyzes phases of existing accounting processes with problems of a routine nature. Based on specific objectives and approaches, applies general principles, techniques and theories of accounting to review and recommend revisions affecting accounting processes. Performs quality assurance reviews of existing and proposed accounting processes to provide assurances as to financial integrity and conformance to Federal Laws and the Library of Congress regulations (LCRS). Assists and participates in development activities for new systems and in the integration of existing systems into new systems. Provides basic advice and assistance that effects procedures concerning various accounting processes and regulations.

Performs other duties as assigned.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment.

Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Ability to apply analytical methods and techniques to identify and resolve financial issues.**

Knowledge and application of general accounting principles, practices and techniques.**

Ability to use computer systems and software applications for financial analysis, reconciliation and reporting.**

Ability to communicate in writing.

Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

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 (24) 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.

You MUST submit a legible copy of your college/university transcripts to your online application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts will be required if selected. Failure to submit the required legible documentation at the time of application will result in disqualification of your application.

Foreign Education - Education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed equivalent to conventional/accredited U.S. education programs to be acceptable for Federal employment. If your college/university is outside the U.S., your transcripts must be accompanied by a report from a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) . Failure to submit a foreign education evaluation report will result in disqualification of your application.

Additional information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade.

The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email ADA@loc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of EEO/Diversity Programs at 202-707-6024 or email spp@loc.gov. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM.

The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service.

The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement.

Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement.

The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit.

A "Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints.

Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.