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Accountant

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Stafford, Virginia
Closing date
Sep 19, 2020

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Duties

Summary

This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Office of Finance and Planning, Finance Service, Financial Operations Division. The purpose of the work is to ensure accurate reporting of all accounting and related cost and budget data, and to facilitate the efficient use of allocated funds for the NCA as a whole.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

  • Performs analysis and reconciliation of variety of integrated accounts within an entire accounting system.
  • Conducts day-to-day operational maintenance of financial accounts which are the basis for the preparation of such key statements as trail balances which used to prepare NCA's audits and financial statements.
  • Designs internal controls to track financial records, safeguard assets, and ensure accurate valuations, properly classified transactions, and reliable financial reports.
  • Reconciles a variety of accounts consisting of relatively stable administrative accounts with some specialized accounts.
  • Responsible for the monthly reconciliation of subsidiary record balances with the applicable General ledger balances
  • Assists in directing the operation and maintenance of the general ledgers accounts which includes: the monthly closing of journals of original entry into the general ledgers, the preparation and posting of journals vouchers for items of accrued expense, or correction of errors discovered in the journals of original entry.
  • Interprets reports and other financial data for program review and analysis
  • Analyzes and verifies financial reports prior to their release to management to ensure their accuracy and validity and to see that such reports are prepared and released in a timely manner.
  • Verifies the availability of funds under separate appropriations and funds for disbursement documents and requests additional funding as needed to ensure sufficient funds are available for use.
  • Analyzes financial status reports for overall program status. Interprets various appropriations, allotment restrictions, accounts and financial reports for operating officials and management, and advises them of the proper appropriations or funds chargeable and proper documentation and method to be used for obligation of funds
Work Schedule: Works Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compressed work schedule may be available.

Position Description Title/PD#: Accountant, GS-0510-9/11 12758A
Promotion Potential: The full performance level is GS-11. At the GS-09 level, you will perform similar duties but under closer 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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary and performed in an office setting.

Travel Required

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

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
11

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
  • Subject to a background/suitability investigation
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • May serve a probationary period
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process


Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Basic Requirements: This position has a basic education requirement. Applicants must meet this requirement before any other consideration.
  • 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
  • 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:
  • Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
  • A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; OR
  • 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/EDUCATION:
    To qualify based on specialized experience:
    • For the GS-09 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
    • To qualify at the GS-11 level the experience must be equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the federal service. Specialized experience includes: Knowledge of government accounting procedures, principles of accounting, federal regulations regarding finance and accounting, financial computer systems experience, general ledger accounting, reconciliation techniques, and knowledge of worksheets, financial statements, ledger, and journals.

    OR

    EDUCATION (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

    • GS-09: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience at the GS-09. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
    • GS-11: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.
    OR

    COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at both grade levels. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned. Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify.
    • You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 18 semester hours of graduate-level education earned.to qualify at the GS -09
    • You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first 36 semester hours of graduate level education earned to qualify at the GS-11.
    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.

    Education

    Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ .

    If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

    Additional information

    VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

    The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/ .

    Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

    This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

    If you are unable to apply online 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.

    IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants will be referred in alphabetical order.

    Background checks and security clearance

    Security clearance
    Not Required

    Drug test required
    No

    Position sensitivity and risk
    Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

    Trust determination process

    Required Documents

    Documents Accepted:
    • Cover Letter
    • DD-214/ Statement of Service
    • Disability Letter (VA)
    • Other (1)
    • Performance Appraisal
    • Resume
    • Separation Notice (RIF)
    • SF-15
    • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
    • Transcript

    Documents Required:
    • Resume
    • Transcript

    Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.

    Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

    Applications are accepted online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

    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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