Duties
Major Duties: This is not an all-inclusive list
A ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN, GS-0525-8, 1. Performs broad in-depth analysis on multiple management systems and applies this information to complicated precedent type cases to resolve especially difficult and sensitive, out of balance conditions associated with processing actions within accounting systems. Analyzes and evaluates data to conduct a variety of fiscal reconciliations, reviews, and account adjustments. Reconciles accounting and budget data with Program Managers and the USPFO Deputy Financial Manager/Budget Officer. Balances all Program Managers' accounts with the federal database of record. Performs fact finding, research, and investigations to identify, analyze and recommend solutions regarding fiscal accounting activity. Analyzes particular facts of fiscal transaction problems/issues; verifies, evaluates, and interprets considerable amounts of data; obtains additional information to reconcile discrepancies or inconsistencies; and applies pertinent fiscal aws, regulations, precedent decisions, and procedures to determine appropriate action for resolution. Relies often on experience and judgment rather than guides to fill in gaps, identify sources of information, and make working assumptions about what transpired. Applies many different and unrelated processes and methods associated with fiscal transactions to analyze complex and unusual accounting transactions. Responds to customer requests for information/assistance. Examines accounts or resolves difficult reconciliations requiring an analysis of adjustments and corrections in accounts. Traces transactions identifying the source(s) of discrepancies, develops corrective actions required to bring accounts into agreement, ensures the accuracy of adjusted accounts, and recommends actions to prevent recurrence of similar discrepancies involving a multiplicity of interrelated systems. Compiles and verifies the accuracy of accounting data to prepare statements and reports, schedules, and comparative analyses of accounting transactions. (30%)
2. Reconstruct inaccurate accounts, gathers and organizes information for inquiries and resolves problems referred by managers, employees, congressional inquiries, etc. Suggests specific changes to state guidelines themselves, development of control mechanisms, additional training for customers, and specific guidance related to the procedural handling of documents and information. Coordinates with internal/external financial/program management personnel to resolve issues and/or prevent accounting errors. Uses initiative to guide and inform and persuade individuals who are skeptical or uncooperative, in order to provide information, take corrective action, and provide findings, and/or recommendations/solutions to comply with established laws and regulations. Researches, interprets, analyzes, and applies regulations, policies, procedures and legal decisions to work and/or resolve complex fiscal issues/problems regardless of the technical difficulties encountered. Uses originality to sort complicated factual information regarding public law; fiscal law; Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Army (DA), Forces Command (FORSCOM), National Guard Bureau (NGB), and Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) regulations; Standing Operating Procedures; Comptroller General Decisions; and policies and issuances to apply a variety of methods in order to execute the full range of accounting services. (30%)
3. Uses fiscal accounting and related interfaced systems to provide input/adjustments to the fiscal accounting database of record and the interoperable feeder systems of logistics, contracting, pay, travel, accounts payable, disbursement and interfund automated systems. Makes independent decisions regarding processes involving unusual circumstances or conditions. Develops variations in approaches to fit specific functions while often encountering incomplete, unreliable or conflicting data in the process of work performance. Applies accounting methods, procedures, and techniques to conduct difficult and in-depth analysis. Validates transactions and performs research to resolve inconsistencies. (20%)
4. Uses computer master file systems, document processing and the effects of transactions on existing records to modify normal automated processes in existing accounts while protecting historical data. Ensure adjustments relating to account balances, contract modifications, collections, disbursements, garnishments, or other actions involving complicated adjustments are performed accurately and timely. Schedules, runs, and analyzes various fiscal accounting reports, such as the Master Update Error report, AXol (Government Purchase Card) line of accounting report, and Master Update Listing for the Account Processing Code (APC) candidate file. (20%)
Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Prior to appointment, an applicant must have a current completed/clear drug test
- This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- Irregular and overtime hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies.
- This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG.
- The employee may be required to travel in military and/or commercial vehicles to perform temporary duty assignments.
- Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
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Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation*** Upon selection, individuals will undergo a background check to validate suitability for employment with the federal government as permitted by law, regulation, Presidential order or other authority. Suitability is dependent upon the particular requirements for
security clearance, sensitivity level, and DOD IT network access. Items checked include, but are not limited to all criminal history record information, employment history, education and fiscal accountability/responsibility.**
The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You must maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.
Qualifications
In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
GENERAL AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifying general experience includes experience, education, or training involving arithmetic principles, attention to detail, and application of established procedures for recording and compiling data. Experience in sorting and verifying receipt of documents; recognizing or matching forms containing names, numbers, and codes; and establishing a filing system. Experience verifying accuracy and completeness of documents, maintaining or reconciling accounts and records; researching documents for discrepancies in debits and credit entries and taking necessary action in balancing accounts; and entering, deleting, and retrieving data utilizing an automated system. Experience validating accounting data, analyzing unusual trends for corrective action, maintaining and researching records, and preparing reports. Experience in correcting coding or other errors that result in computer generated rejects.
Must have 1 year equivalent specialized experience to at least the next lower grade level before being eligible for the next grade level. Must have fundamental working experiences with validated understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the accountant occupational series and grade.
Experiences gained through military technical training schools or civilian academic courses, or related civilian work may substitute for some specialized experience and be credited toward the one-year on-the-job specialized experience.
GS-08 - 1-year specialized experience, education or training equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Must have experience, education, or training of total accounting procedures. Experience planning, organizing, and coordinating work to resolve problems that occur.
Education
EDUCATION:
NA
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of the following areas of consideration (AOC) based on the Minnesota National Guard Merit Placement Plan:
- Area 1: Current On-board Title 5 Employees (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite or 4-Term ) - Only those current Minnesota National Guard employees who are in permanent, indefinite, or term technician status as result of being competitively hired by the Minnesota National Guard or Office of Personnel Management agency. This does not apply to Temporary Technicians or Temporary Employees
- Area 2: Current On-board Excepted Title 32 Technicians (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite) - Only those Minnesota National Guard employees who are in permanent technician status as result of being competitively hired within the Minnesota National Guard agency.
- Area 3: Current On-board Federal Employees (Tenure: 1-Career, 2-Conditional, 3-Indefinite?) from another Federal Agency nationwide who are in permanent technician status as result of being competitively hired within that agency. I.e. Title 5 employed outside of the MNNG, Title 5 USAFR.
- Area 4: All federal re-employable eligible employees. (used as a way to attract federal experience without considering all U.S. Citizens - can reach retirees)
- Area 5: U.S. Citizens (to include current ARNG and ANG members.)
Basis for Rating Area 5: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligible are listed ahead of non-preference eligible within each quality category.
- Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
- Well Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position.
- Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position.
Candidates will be evaluated on the basis of appropriate education, experience, training, self-development activities, and special awards. Candidates are considered on the basis of available information on their current application and supporting information that has been provided to this office. To ensure full consideration, applicants are urged to submit information about their training, self-development, outside experience, activities and awards. National Guard military (Part-time) service is considered as full-time experience when evaluated against the qualification requirements for a technician position.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12673518
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
CONTACTING US: After you have read all the instructions in this vacancy announcement, if you still have questions about this position or the application process, you may contact us at (651) 282-4155.