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STAFF ACCOUNTANT

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Closing date
Oct 26, 2019

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Duties

Summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION.

This National Guard position is for a STAFF ACCOUNTANT, Position Description Number D2391000 and is part of the MD USPFO, National Guard.

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Responsibilities

As a Staff Accountant, GS-0510-12, you are responsible for establishing and designing methods and tools to effectively monitor and assist the operation of National Guard Bureau finance and accounting operations at the state level to include General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS). Performs technical and proficient analysis regarding accounting programs, financial systems, and section business processes. Ensures financial statements and reports are prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to include applicable regulations to fairly depict the financial conditions and results of operations. Assess and establish internal controls for the United States Property and Fiscal Resource Management division. Responsible for establishing accounting policies, advising on the accuracy of disclosure documents and the financial condition of the organization. Provide advice on the implications of newly promulgated laws or the requirements or statements of oversight agencies such as the OMB or the GAO. Additionally, Staff Accountants review unliquidated obligations, contracts, reimbursable orders, analyzing reports, reviewing and reconciling subsidiary ledgers, training non-financial personnel on financial responsibilities, assisting fund managers on proper use of funding, and developing internal control corrective action plan statements for the Army National Guard. Plans, coordinates, and conducts an annual written Quality Assurance Program (QAP). The QAP directs reviews of all functional finance and accounting operations. Determines the objectives and scope of all reviews and audits. Prepares a written plan to conduct for each review. Analyzes each functional area. Identify findings and provides the corrective action plans with a formal written report to the Financial Manager (FM), Deputy USPFO, and USPFO. Assures corrective action follow-up recommendations are implemented. Evaluates the Comptroller division Management Internal Control Program (MICP). Ensures management controls are effectively implemented. Prepares the Internal Control Evaluation Certification (DA11-2) statements for the division. Assess the indicators to identify operational area performance weaknesses to protect against fraud, waste, and abuse. Acts as an advisor while providing technical advice and assistance to the FM and the USPFO on matters involving statutory provisions, regulatory requirements, procedures, systems, or problems arising from changes in the mission, programs, and / or organizational structure. Executes policy made at higher levels and provides policy, administrative and technical guidance. Travels to field installations to observe, analyze operating problems, and render technical assistance to support the state as a quality assurance internal control. Provides expert interpretation on DoD and Army regulatory and administrative guidelines in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) relating to wide spectrum business operations. Interprets, analyzes, and develops accounting and financial management policies, standards, and procedures that implement accounting requirements established by the Department of Army, OMB, GAO, Treasury, and Congress. Policies, standards, and procedures apply to both current and long-range plans and operation, and to appropriate and non-appropriated funding sources. Coordinates with other organizations such as the OSD, Pentagon's HQDA-ASA-FM, DOA's Division IG, NGB Financial Improvement Audit Readiness (FIAR) Team and Operational Team (ORP) on matters pertaining to Audits, inspections (IG & ORP) and Financial Management (FM) Certification program.Develops an effective implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all areas within the Resource Management office; and ensures that training needs are planned and implemented on a timely basis to meet constantly changing policy and procedures. Develops new business mapping and approaches where no precedent exists. Shapes new programs, compliance with new legislation, or facilitating the resolution of long-standing problem areas of vital importance to the organization.Reviews and analyzes a wide variety of reports including reports produced by external and local automated systems. Based on this analysis, advises the FM of actions required or recommended. Discusses system or procedural problems and areas of potential improvement with various system supervisors, Program Managers (PMs) and local management information systems personnel. Develops statistical and mathematical models to identify abnormalities and system and process vulnerabilities. Advises and provides counsel to employees regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management. Develops, modifies, and/or interprets policies and procedures related to all Financial Management functions. Explains feedback on strengths and weaknesses to supervising staff.Performs other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED.
  • This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.
  • Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
  • Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
  • Applicants must be current members of the Maryland Army National Guard.
  • Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.


Qualifications

Military Grades:
Enlisted: SPC/E4 - SGM/E9
Warrant Officer: Warrant Officer 1/WO1 - Chief Warrant Officer 3/CW3
Officer: Second Lieutenant/O1 - Captain/O3

Compatible Military Assignments:
Enlisted: 36B, 42A
Warrant Officer: 420A
Officer: 36A, 36B, 42B

GENERAL EXPERIENCE : All on-board Title 32 Excepted Service employees assigned to Series GS-0510 positions, are considered eligible for merit promotions if they have the competencies and a minimum of one year experience in the grade immediately below the next higher level. However, management directed reassignments or new hire applicants must have competent experiences that are commensurate/equivalent to the accounting program business with demonstrated understandings of the program's principles and concepts defined by the applicable NG Title 32 Excepted Service, Series GS-0510, position description.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE : Is experience that prepares the applicant to perform the duties of the position. An applicant must demonstrate the following specialized experience to qualify for a position identified by its applicable position description GS-Grade, Financial Management Certification Career level, and assigned military skills. To qualify for the GS-0510-12 Non-Supervisory Position, the candidate must be eligible for entry into the position's financial management certification career program based on the position's GS-grade and/or the candidate's military rank before the appointment is processed. Candidate must have at least 36 months of financial accounting and/or performance accounting experiences that led to objective and systemic examinations and resulted in assessments of the finance program's performance, efficiency, organization, program, activity or function. The applicant's experiences and competencies provided an in-depth knowledge of accounting principles and procedures. The applicant must have experiences in accounting preparation and planning with a full range of competencies in the accounting business that successfully accomplished intended purposes; met or exceeded operational efficiency; provided accurate, reliable, timely, and useful financial audit data; or, demonstrated experiences in conducting financial reviews that involved evaluating programs in terms of economical use of property and personnel. Other accounting experiences may have included adherence to prescribed policies; effective control over expenditures, liabilities, revenues, and assets; proper accounting for resources and financial transactions; compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and precedent decisions; and compliance of agency accounting systems with generally accepted accounting principles and standards. An applicant's specialized accounting or audit program experiences must include report preparations and oral presentations that involved financial findings or discovered conditions with cause and effect factors. The applicant must have demonstrated experiences that involved presenting researched recommendations for remedial actions such as, methods for improving the use of funds and the identification of questionable costs. A candidate must have a comprehensive understanding of the principles and concepts of the National Guard accounting business program requirements. Applicants must have accounting or audit experiences and training that demonstrates his or her abilities to lead, train subordinates, follow directions, read, retain, and comply with instructions, regulations, policies and procedures. As a condition of continued employment in the GS-0510-12 non-supervisory position, dependent on the position's certification level and contingent on the employee's military rank, the employee must complete the higher financial management certification within 24 months of appointment to the position.

THIS IS A FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT LEVEL 2 Certified position designated as such in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2012, Public Law 112-81, Subtitle F-Financial Management, section 1051, amending 10 United States Code, section 1599d. Incumbent of this position is required to comply with all Department of Defense and Department of the Army requirements of this certification program. This certification requirement is a condition of employment for this position. Failure to obtain this certification within the required time may subject the incumbent to adverse action.

QUALITY OF EXPERIENCE: Qualification factors include education, experiences, and competencies in the Accounting Series GS-0510. A candidate's competencies are evaluated on the basis of duties performed rather than strictly on the rank of the individual; however, established compatibility criteria, awarding requirements for military skills and military skill technical training schools are always followed. The applicant's resume package includes military service experiences and/or civilian experiences; military and/or civilian performance reports; training certificates; and official college transcripts. The resume must clearly demonstrate possession of the competencies needed to fully perform the Series GS-0510 work as defined in the applicable position description's specified grade, certification, duties, and responsibilities. The applicant must qualify for awarding of the established compatibility criteria that includes the military unit of assignment, military rank, and military skill assignment.

Education

You must meet the following Education requirement to qualify for the position:

Series GS-0510 Positive Education Requirements:


1. 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 six hours of credit in business law.

OR

2. Combination of Education and Experience: At least four 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 six hours of business law;
2. A certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination;
3. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing. For example, completed 15 semester hours however, the school course work does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour degree requirement as defined above in paragraph one (subject: Degree), provided that:
(a) The applicant successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field for example, valuation engineering or financial institution examining;
(b) A panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors determined that the applicant demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and advancement levels that are normally associated with successful completion of the four-year course of study degree, as described above in Paragraph One; 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.

Army National Guard Officers: An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university is mandatory. The degree must be in accounting; or 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 six hours of credit in business law. A graduate degree in accounting or a related field is optimum.

Army National Guard Warrant Officers: An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university is not mandatory for the military rank; however, the applicant must meet one of the two positive education requirements to qualify for the Series GS-0510 positions. A college degree defines a best qualified applicant for the dual status technician position and the degree must be in accounting; or 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 six hours of credit in business law.

Army National Guard Enlisted: An undergraduate degree from an accredited college/university is not mandatory for the rank; however, the applicant must meet one of the two positive education requirements to qualify for the Series GS-0510 positions. A college degree defines a best qualified applicant for the dual status technician position. The degree must be in accounting; or 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 six hours of credit in business law.

You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency ( https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx ).

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Mastery of a Professional, comprehensive knowledge of theories, practices, methods and techniques of accounting and other financial practices to conduct financial and accounting analysis, review and certify the content and nature of financial reports, to implement changes or make recommendations to existing accounting and procedures. Knowledge of accounting policies and procedures, congressional legislation, DOD and DA regulations and ability to development and implement changes or make recommendations to existing accounting and. accounting and procedures.Independently plans, develops, and coordinates financial management improvements necessary to comply with such legislation and regulations as the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Act, principle of accounting internal, the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directives. Prepares financial statement formats for within the National Guard Accounting Offices use in reporting data required under the CFO Act and GPR.GPGPRA. Ability to apply fact-finding and investigative techniques to perform studies and analysis of data and the ability to research and analyze directive and regulations to assess their impact on current and planned operational initiatives. Skill in preparing reports and in organizing and delivering briefings to managers, State leadership and adjacent directorates to encourage understanding and acceptance of findings, recommendations, and observations.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Secret

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.

2. Other supporting documents: Transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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