Accountant

Clarification from the agency

Current Federal employees with competitive status or other eligibility; Former Federal employees with reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles; Veterans with VOW, VEOA, or 30% disability; Military Spouses; Individuals with Disabilities Schedule A; Peace Corps, Vista (AmeriCorps) eligibles; Those eligible under an OPM interchange agreement or other special appointing authority.

This position is being advertised at both the NQ-02 and the NQ-03, with the following salaries for Albuquerque, NM.

NQ-02 pay band ranges from $62, 392 thru $117,625

NQ-03 pay band ranges from $107,592 thru $165,288


As an Accountant, you will:

• Applies concepts, principles, and practices of accounting and financial accounting management for effective financial accounting standards and integrity of resources and programs in support of organizational priorities and decision-making.
• Utilizes knowledge of general ledger accounting and the control/subsidiary account relationships and reconciliation techniques, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and disbursing officer's accountability.
• Applies analysis, policy interpretation, risk assessment, evaluation of alternatives, and recommendation-making to complex budget, financial, policy, program, or resource-management issues.
• Represents the organization in budget meetings, briefings, and hearings to present, explain, and defend complex financial and policy information to senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Prepares written budget, financial, policy, program, resource, customer, stakeholder, or oversight products that require clarity, accuracy, organization, and audience awareness.

Conditions of employment

• Subject to Random Drug Testing
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Favorable suitability determination required.
• Financial Disclosure is required.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
• Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
• May be required to successfully complete a one (1) year probationary or two (2) year trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.

Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period will need to complete the requirement. Trial periods are required for all excepted service employees. Trial periods served in the same position and agency with no break in service will satisfy the requirement.

Qualifications

All applicants must meet the Individual Occupational Requirements (basic requirements) AND Specialized experience outlined below.

Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR)
A. 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-

B. 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 REQUIREMENTS FOR NQ-02:

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-01 or GS-07. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: applying basic accounting and financial management principles to review, verify, and reconcile routine financial transactions; assisting with the identification of discrepancies and processing standard adjustments using automated accounting systems; and compiling financial data to assist in the preparation of routine reports, schedules, and statements under general supervision.

Examples of Specialized Experience, but are not limited to:

-OR-

Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree

-OR -

A combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement. This is computed by determining the total qualifying specialized experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of one full year may be used to qualify.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS FOR NQ-03

A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-02 or GS-12. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: applying advanced theories, principles, and concepts of accounting and financial management to independently resolve complex financial issues, perform reconciliation, and conduct detailed financial analysis; analyzing and interpreting legislative and regulatory requirements, such as US Treasury, OMB, and GAO guidelines, to ensure agency compliance and implement standardized financial procedures; and leading, guiding, or reviews the work of an accounting or financial staff, including providing technical direction, coordinating daily operations, and resolving routine work-related issues.

Examples of Specialized Experience include, but are not limited to:

1. Overseeing the implementation of financial accounting plans and policies from non-supervisory workers.
2. Evaluating financial operations to ensure the proper utilization of financial systems and expenses.
3. Reviewing financial reports generated by staff before presentation to senior management.


"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How you will be evaluated

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

USA HIRE ASSESSMENT

The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in critical, general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment by 11:59 p.m. EDT within 48 hours of the closing date on 10/07/2026. For more information on the USA Hire Assessment click here.

Applicants who score successfully on the assessment will be forwarded to the Human Resources Office, which will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the eligibility and specialized experience qualifications. Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered. If you are referred to the Hiring Manager, you will be further evaluated on the competencies listed below:

• Accounting
• Accounting Operations
• Auditing Reporting
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication

Note regarding USA Hire Assessments:

NQ-02 - This a pay-banded position that is equivalent to the GS-9/11/12 level. The Assessment administered will be GS-9 equivalent; therefore, test results that remain on record in the USA Staffing system will reflect the GS-9 level only.

NQ-03: This is a pay-banded position that is equivalent to the GS-13/14 level. The Assessment administered will be GS-13 equivalent, therefore, test results that remain on record in the USA Staffing system will reflect the GS-13 level only.

Federal employees eligible for career transition assistance plans such as CTAP, or ICTAP, requesting selection priority, must meet the Qualifications requirements listed in this announcement and be found "well qualified" for the position. Well-qualified is defined as: experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including any selective factors, demonstrated by proficiency in most of the requirements of the job, requiring only limited training or orientation to perform effectively. If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM CTAP//ICTAP website for more information.

If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.

To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below.https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13076865

To apply for this position, you MUST provide a complete application package which includes:

ALL APPLICANTS: You must submit a resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.

• Your two (2) page RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• For more information about what to include in your resume, please visit the USA Jobs Help Center by clicking here.

Most DOE offices will allow you to submit a resume in the format of your choice (as an attached document or as a USAJOBS Resume Builder format). However, some offices may require one specific format. You will be notified at the time you click 'Apply Online' which type of resume is acceptable. It is important that you are complete and thorough in your resume. If any of the above information is not included in your resume, we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.

• Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume.
• Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements. If selected, it is mandatory that you provide official transcripts.

Submit one or more of the following to support your eligibility(s) to apply to this job announcement:
SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" (current/former federal employees): To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility! Full position title; appointment type; occupational series; pay plan, grade, and step; tenure code; and service computation date (SCD).

If your current position SF50 does not indicate you have competitive service status or does not reflect the pay plan and grade of the highest position you have held in the competitive service, in addition to your current SF50, you must provide your previous SF-50s that provide the proof of competitive status and highest grade held on a permanent basis.

Veterans: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.

Individuals with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

Certain Military Spouses: Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders authorizing you to accompany the Military member to the new duty permanent station; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center.

Other non-competitive or special appointing authorities: provide documentation which supports your eligibility.

Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable(e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.

Performance Appraisals: Submit your two (2) most recent performance appraisals. Your performance appraisals and incentive awards will be given due consideration in the selection process based on their relation to the duties of the position and the consistency with which they may be considered in evaluating you against other applicants. If the performance appraisals are not available, please provide a written statement of explanation and upload as a separate document.

Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

Next steps