Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
- US Citizenship.
- May serve a one year probationary period (if applicable).
- Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
- If selected, a financial disclosure statement may be required.
- Current/former federal employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade/status.
- Current FCC employees must provide SF-50 verifying grade & status.
- Resume must not exceed two pages and must meet resume format criteria.
See "Qualifications".
Qualifications
Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Candidates must meet BOTH the educational requirements and the specialized experience in order to be deemed as qualified
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
GS-13
GS-13 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as follows:
1. Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and implementing on federal or non-federal accounting policies, OMB guidance, FASAB or FASB standards, and agency or company specific procedures to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
2. Advanced experience monitoring and reconciling complex appropriations, multi year funds, and financial statement line items, including analyzing variance, evaluating anomalies.
3. Served as a liaison and authoritative representative for the agency when coordinating with internal stakeholders, external federal entities, auditors, and private sector partners, ensuring alignment on financial data, resolving discrepancies, and promoting consistency in government wide reporting.
4. Expertise in investigating, diagnosing, and resolving abnormal balances, discrepancies, and accounting irregularities by applying in depth knowledge of the Standard General Ledger (SGL), internal controls, and cross system reconciliation processes to restore accuracy and integrity of financial records.
5. Expertise in applying accounting policies to record complex transactions and preparing financial statements and disclosures.
6. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Words for data management, analysis and professional documentation.
7. Functioned as a subject matter expert on enterprise financial management systems, accounting standards, and financial reporting requirements, providing authoritative guidance, leading system enhancements.
8. Led the review, revision, and modernization of financial reporting procedures, standard operating procedures, and internal accounting controls to incorporate new legislative requirements, updated Treasury/OMB directives, audit recommendations, and best practices in financial management.
9. Responded to internal and external inquiries—including from auditors, leadership, oversight bodies, and components by preparing clear, concise, and technically accurate written and oral communications, ensuring timely delivery of complex financial information and well supported explanations for decision makers.
GS-14
GS-14 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the federal service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as follows:
1. Demonstrated expertise in interpreting, developing, implementing, and advising on complex federal or non-federal accounting policies and procedures, including applying Treasury, OMB, GAO, and FASAB or FASB guidance to ensure full compliance with financial management statutes, regulatory requirements, and agency wide internal controls.
2. Extensive experience collaborating with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders including components, budget officers, auditors, and financial system owners to communicate, interpret, and implement changes in accounting policies, ensuring consistent application and effective integration across federal financial operations.
3. Served as a technical authority providing subject matter expertise to research, analyze, and record highly complex accounting transactions, including multi year appropriations, no year funds, interagency transactions, capitalized assets, and other transactions.
4. Oversaw and performed high level analysis of key appropriated funds, trust funds, and financial statement line items, identifying systemic abnormalities, conducting root cause reviews, and ensuring the reliability and auditability of fund activity and general ledger balances.
5. Recognized expert in interpreting financial accounting and reporting requirements, including OMB A 136, Treasury CARS/GTAS reporting, and FASAB or FASB standards; collaborated with external partners such as Treasury, OIG, OMB, and other federal entities to resolve reporting discrepancies and ensure government wide reporting accuracy.
6. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Words for data management, analysis and professional documentation.
7. Functioned as a senior subject matter expert on financial management systems, accounting modules, and enterprise reporting guidelines, providing authoritative guidance on system configuration, internal controls, Standard General Ledger posting logic, and financial statement generation, including recommending system enhancements to improve audit readiness and efficiency.
8. Conducted high level evaluations of compliance with federal laws, regulations, internal controls, and financial reporting standards, assessing operational efficiency, identifying process deficiencies, and recommending corrective actions in alignment with A 123, and audit findings.
9. Led efforts to modernize, revise, and improve financial reporting processes and documentation, including updating standard operating procedures, implementing new reporting methodologies, improving data quality controls, and ensuring alignment with updated Treasury, OMB, and FASAB or FASB requirements.
Education
PART A - EDUCATION
Basic Education Requirements
- 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 oneof 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.
Please provide a copy of your college transcript. The transcript may be unofficial or photocopy at time of application, but MUST provide the original, if selected.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications. Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home
All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED (Unofficial or Official). IF TRANSCRIPTS ARE NOT SUBMITTED, APPLICATION WILL BE RATED AS INELIGIBLE.
Additional information
EEO Policy Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement
Veterans Information
Legal and Regulatory Guidance
Other:
- Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.
- If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.
- In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.
*NOTE-This position is in the bargaining unit. The exclusive representative is NTEU Chapter 209.
SME REVIEW
At the time of application you are required to take an external skills-based assessment which is based upon government-wide recognized competencies and consistent with OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements and the Chance to Compete Act. Should you receive a passing score of 70 or higher, your application will be reviewed by subject matter experts to determine if you meet the OPM qualification requirements for this position.
COMPETENCIES
- Problem solving
- Writing
- Oral communication
- Attention to detail
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including:
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Long-Term Care Insurance
Holidays and Leave
Retirement
Thrift Savings Plan
Transit Benefit
Alternative Work Schedule
Telecommuting
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
As this position is being advertised under DEU and Merit Promotion hiring procedures, applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position using the hiring procedures outlined below.
In compliance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements, please be advised that candidates will not be evaluated, selected or hired based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Optional Four Essay Questions
At the time of application, applicants have the option of answering the following four short, free-response essay questions.
1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.
Applicants will be required to certify that they are using their own words, and did not use a consultant or AI (such as a large language model [LLM]). The responses to each question cannot exceed 200 words per question.
DEU
What is the Rule of Many
If you ask to be considered under DEU, the FCC adheres to the Rule of Many. The Rule of Many means that more than one applicant can be referred to the hiring manager, not just the top few, nor will candidates be placed into scored qualification categories (i.e. Best Qualified, Fully Qualified, Minimally Qualified). Everyone who meets minimum qualifications and scores 70 or higher may be referred, even if many applicants qualify. There is no fixed limit on how many people can be referred.
What This Means for Applicants
- You do not need to be the highest scorer
- You must meet the qualification criteria and receive a score of 70 or above
- Multiple applicants can be considered fairly
- Selection is based on overall qualifications, not just test scores
- Veterans preference applies
Merit Promotion
If you ask to be considered under Merit Promotion, you will be considered in accordance with the agency's merit promotion plan and union agreement. Time in grade restrictions apply. Under Merit Promotion procedures, applicants must meet the qualifications criteria and receive a score of 70 or above in order to be deemed as Best Qualified. Candidates who ask to be considered non-competitively also only have to receive a score of 70.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
Merit Hiring Plan Resume Requirements
In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length. The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job announcement.
Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below:
Contact Information
Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number.
Relevant Work Experience
- Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions)
- Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 –08/2022)
- The number of hours you worked per week
Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement.
Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration.
The FCC is providing the following applicant resume resources:
Current or Former Federal Employees
ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.
CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES-To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to PersonnelRecordsRequest@fcc.gov
ICTAP/CTAP Employees
If you are an ICTAP or CTAP eligible employee you must submit (along with your resume):
1. Copy of separation SF-50 documenting ICTAP/CTAP eligibility
2. Copy of your final federal performance appraisal
3. Copy of official Reduction in Force (RIF) notice
4. Copy of any other document which documents your eligibility for CTAP or ICTAP
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.