Duties

Summary

The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the daily financial and accounting operations of the Smithsonian Institution (SI). The incumbent will advise on the financial and accounting operations of the SI, including identifying and recommending changes in business practices and/or procedures to improve the financial management of SI. The Controller advises senior and unit management on financial issues as well as current and new financial management and accounting rules and regulations.

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Responsibilities

Technical Responsibilities

Plans and prepares accurate, comprehensive, and timely financial reports and information in support of internal and external reporting requirements, including SI's annual audited financial statements and footnotes. Works with the auditors to ensure that SI's financial data, condition, and results are fairly reflected in the financial statements and accompanying narrative according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). Supports all internal and external audit activities including those of the Regents' Audit and Review Committee and those related to government grants and contracts (A-133 audit).

Directs the financial transaction processing operations for SI and maintains accounting records, ensuring that all activity has been properly processed and correctly recorded in a timely manner. Ensures that effective financial controls exist over the operations within the Office of Finance and Accounting (OF&A). Supports unit-based financial staff in effective performance of required function through promulgation of clear policy and delivery of relevant training programs. Develops and disseminates training in finance and accounting to the finance user group. Provides customer support to the finance community across SI.

Ensures integrity of financial data and generates management reports to senior management for performance monitoring and decision making. Coordinates with SI Office of the Chief Information Officer and the Office of Planning, Management and Budget to plan and execute management dashboards and other performance management initiatives.

Ensures that cash management and banking procedures and policies are effective and efficient. Manages daily cash flows and develops reliable cash flow projections that enable the investment of "excess" working capital. Manages all SI banking relationships. Manages all external borrowings, including any relationships with rating agencies and evaluates all future external borrowings with regard to their impact on the Institution. Effectively manages SI's debt portfolio and ensures efficient access to credit markets through prudent management and timely communications with credit rating agencies.

Performs analytical reviews of the monthly operating results and variances to ensure the reasonability and accuracy of reports. Manages the disposition of non-cash gifts and bequests. Implements an Endowment payout policy in conjunction with the Office of Investments and provides accurate and timely endowment accounting and reporting to unit management. Evaluates and executes SI real estate purchase and sale transactions effectively.

Develops and updates finance and accounting policies and procedures, and provides accounting guidance to the SI units. Supports finance initiatives, including research, planning and implementation software and systems.

Ensures that significant risk exposures are identified, and appropriate loss prevention, loss control, risk reduction, and risk financing strategies are designed and implemented. Provides advice and recommendations on a range of financial and risk management issues to Sl senior management and units. Creates awareness of good risk management practices and works with Sl units to include risk control in operating procedures.

General Management

Directs office operations consistent with principles of integrity, good business practices and external requirements. Keeps serviced organizations informed of program policies and procedures, providing guidance as required. Ensures that policy directives are current. Researches, develops, and recommends changes in policies and procedures to senior management, including strategies and plans for implementation of new policies. Maintains effective internal controls and responds on a timely basis to audit recommendations ensuring that open audit recommendations are closed in a timely manner; and monitors, evaluates, and revises work processes to ensure organizational requirements and objectives are continually being met through a quality and customer service focus.

Provides guidance, leadership, direction, and feedback to staff. Delegates work and monitors work progress. Selects, places, develops, motivates, rewards, disciplines, and appraises employees. Ensures subordinates are adequately trained to perform assigned tasks and provides training opportunities for growth. Fosters mutual respect and concern among staff and customers by creating an environment of continuous learning, involvement and belonging.

Promotes the achievement of the goals and objectives of SI's cultural diversity and equal opportunity programs. Advances SI's goals of achieving work force diversity through recruiting, training, and developing career opportunities as well as increasing business relationships with firms owned by women, minorities and persons with disabilities.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-Employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service

Meets the basic qualifications and specialized experience as listed below.

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must clearly demonstrate the necessary level of managerial and leadership skills and competence to perform successfully in this position. This includes a degree in 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:

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
In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated knowledge and leadership skills as they relate to managing a headquarters level accounting function.

The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. At least five (5) years of experience and knowledge of federal government accounting practices and/or not-for-profit accounting principles.

2. Demonstrated experience in the management, execution and implementation of a complex accounting system for an organization with several subordinate organizations with diverse program needs and or multiple funding streams.

3. Demonstrated skill in managing an accounting operations function including goal setting, establishing metrics and introducing policies and procedures to improve efficiency and ensure effective internal controls.

4. Demonstrated skill in leading, supervising, and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce, including fostering teamwork and high morale; attracting, retaining, motivating, and providing guidance to a diverse workforce; and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action policies and programs.

Education

Additional information

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The Controller reports to the CFO, who provides general guidance in terms of overall financial policy, program goals and objectives, and delegated authority. Within this framework, the incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment and initiative to plan and carry out responsibilities effectively. The CFO is consulted and kept informed of major policy questions, controversial issues, and other critical matters affecting the financial status of the Institution. Work performance is appraised primarily in terms of overall effectiveness in achieving program goals and objectives.

SECURITY LEVEL
This position has been reviewed to determine the level of POSITION SENSITIVITY. Based on the nature of the work, the position has been determined to be HIGH RISK (critical sensitive). This designation will require: (1) a pre-employment Security Agency Check (SAC) for the prospective incumbent; and (2) a subsequent comprehensive background investigation and clearance in order to continue in the position.

EEO
The Smithsonian Institution does not discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION
The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement. The decision on granting a reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

RELOCATION
Relocation expenses will not be paid.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

The qualifications listed in this document will be used along with your resume and your responses to the questions posed in the electronic application process to determine the candidates who will move forward in the evaluation process. When crafting your responses to the questions, please provide concise, detailed information on your background and experience.

Important Note:
Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to the major duties and qualifications criteria listed for this position.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment.

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Your application package should include the following documents:

- Resume

- Proof of prior federal service such as the latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.

- Unofficial school transcripts, if the position has an education requirement or if you are using education to qualify. If selected for the position, you must provide an official transcript before appointment.

- Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable.

- Current and former Competitive Service candidates: submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, and an additional SF-50 indicating tenure of at least one year at the GS-15 level.

- SES candidates with Reinstatement eligibility based on prior Competitive Service employment: submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, and an additional SF-50 indicating Competitive Service tenure and Reinstatement eligibility.

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.