Accountant

Back

Limestone, ME

Employer:

Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS)

Description

The major duties described below reflect the full performance level of this position:
Provides professional accounting advice and assistance in the application and compliance of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures
Reviews, analyzes and modifies operating programs, practices, and procedures related to receiving, controlling, validating, recording, and reporting accounting transactions affecting asset, liability, revenue, expense, and budgetary accounts
Assists in establishing and monitoring internal controls to identify problem areas, determine actions required to improve operating program effectiveness, and ensure and maintain the integrity of financial and accounting information
Applies knowledge and understanding of automated data processing systems as they apply to accounting systems and "feeder" systems and the ability to deal effectively and logically in solving program/system issues
Performs special audits, studies, reports and/or, analysis to evaluate the status of the financial health and/or position of accounting operations based on balanced scorecard measurements or indicators
Duties will be developmental in nature while performing below the full performance level (GS-11)

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
Background or Security Investigation: This is a Non-Critical Sensitive position. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay your starting date.
Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
Suitable for Federal employment
Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification

Qualifications

This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period.

Applicants MUST have related financial experience AND/OR a related financial degree (examples include: Finance, Accounting, Management, Actuarial Science, or related), in addition to meeting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification requirements. Substitution of combination of education and experience must still, in conjunction, minimally satisfy the DHA qualification requirement.

Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria. Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe this in your resume. Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient.

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 must 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 in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

To be hired at the GS-5 entry grade level, applicants must meet the basic requirement as described above.

To be hired at the GS-7 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have:
One (1) year of experience assisting with basic activities related to validating, maintaining, or processing accounting data or transactions in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulations. OR
One full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A) which can be met by:
1. Grade point average of a 2.95 or higher on a 4.0 scale OR
2. Class standing in the upper third of the graduating class or major subdivision OR
3. Membership in a national scholastic honor society may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.
To be hired at the GS-9 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have
One (1) year of experience performing activities related to utilizing established accounting standards to compile, analyze, and summarize accounting data resulting from day-to-day accounting operations, maintaining the integrity of financial accounts and preparing financial statements and/or reports. OR
Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.
To be hired at the GS-11 entry grade level, applicants must minimally have:
- One (1) year of experience independently performing duties involved with interpreting and applying of accounting principles, policies, and procedures; assisting in designing, implementing and assessing of internal accounting control processes; and ensuring the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes. OR
- Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.

This position is developmental and selections may be made at the GS-5, GS-7, GS-9, or GS-11 entry grade levels. Once eligibility and qualification requirements are met, selectees will be eligible for promotion at management discretion to the GS-7, GS-9 and GS-11 grade levels without further competition.

Volunteer Experience: 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; religious; spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

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

GS-05 Substitution of Education for Experience: Four full years of undergraduate course work may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement (must include 24 hours in Accounting, Business Administration, or related field). Equivalent combinations of successfully, completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html).
GS-07 Substitution of Education for Experience: One full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A.) (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp) at the undergraduate degree level may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html).
GS-09 Substitution of Education for Experience: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html).
GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html).

Additional information

Qualifying education must be conferred or awarded within six (6) months of the closing date of this announcement.
Moving expenses will not be paid.
Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.
Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
A one year probationary period may be required.
We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
Travel requirement is Seldom.
This position is covered by a bargaining unit.
Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA).
This position is Non Exempt at the GS-05, 07 and 09 levels and Exempt at the GS-11 level from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
This position will be covered by a formal training under the DFAS Career Acclimation Program (DCAP). The purpose of this program is to develop well-qualified, well-trained, high potential employees for future positions within DFAS. Promotion is conditional based on performance, successful completion of training, and availability of higher graded work. Participants who do not successfully complete the program may be separated.
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 http://www.dfas.mil/dam/dfas/careers/pdf/DoDFMCertificationProgram.pdf.
Applications will be accepted for the open period as stated above. A first cut-off or multiple cut-offs may be utilized for this opportunity. To ensure consideration, submit your application early. The agency reserves the right to close or extend the announcement based on mission need and/or volume of applications received.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or be exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov).
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).
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.