Accountant

Clarification from the agency

• Federal employees serving on career or career-conditional appointments • Former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility • Individuals with disabilities, peace corps, former overseas employees, military spouses, 30% disabled veterans, and those eligible under other special hiring authorities • Persons eligible under Interchange Agreements • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)

Serving as a Accountant GS-0510-7/9/11 makes you a valuable member of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) team and mission. This position is located in the Chief Financial Officer Directorate under the Finance Division within the Billing and CARS Branch.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an accountant responsible for providing professional accounting services to FLETC. This includes participation in: administering the fully integrated computerized accrual accounting operations for the various funds and appropriations; preparing internal and external reports, that reflect FLETC's financial status; conducting activities connected with the Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA), the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act, Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Government Management Results Act (GMRA); and operating and maintaining the Electronic Certification System (ECS).

Typical duties include:

• Performs professional accounting tasks and services for FLETC, DHS serviced components and other stakeholders; plans and conducts research and analysis related to financial decision-making processes for the Governmentwide Treasury Account Symbol Adjusted Trial Balance System (GTAS), Treasury Information Executive Repository (TIER), and Standard General Ledger (SGL).
• Independently analyzes, conducts periodic reviews and reconciles SGL accounts, accounting records and supporting schedules or documentation. Will also serve as an "Authorized Certifying Officer" for the disbursement of funds.
• Provides professional accounting advice and assistance. Independently conducts research, performs analysis, and assists senior accountants in preparing, reviewing, and analyzing financial statements that reflect the status of FLETC's financial condition.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation to access, safeguard, and store classified national security information on a regular basis; must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret (2N – Non-Critical Sensitive) security clearance.
• Current and former federal employees within the General Schedule (GS) must meet the time-in-grade requirements outlined in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state issued driver's license to conduct official government business.
• You will need to set up direct deposit for payroll.
• Complete the initial online assessment and USAHire Assessment, if required.
• This position is eligible for telework based on agency policy.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Overtime may be required.
• Working on weekends and federal holidays may be required.

Qualifications

A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted. For additional assistance, please visit: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements

Basic qualifications for the GS-0510 Accountant Series:

• 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 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.

• One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to perform accounting analysis or reconciliations to validate the integrity of data; AND assisting senior staff members with accounting or financial management assignments; OR
• One full year of graduate level education at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; OR
• A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application; OR
• A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership:
  1. Class standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
  2. Grade-point average (GPA) - Applicants must have a GPA of:
     • 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
     • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum
  3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.

• One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to perform accounting analysis or reconciliations to validate the integrity of data; Advising staff on accounting or financial management policies or procedures; AND making recommendations to improve internal controls in accounting processes or policies or resolve audit findings; OR
• A master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in accounting or auditing; OR
• A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

• One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in Federal service, that demonstrates the ability to apply accounting theories, concepts, principles, or standards to the financial activities of an organization; Reconciling administrative or specialized accounts to validate the integrity of accounting data; AND analyzing accounting systems in order to modify or adapt accounting practices to solve accounting problems.; OR
• A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. equivalent doctoral degree in accounting or auditing; OR
• A combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above that, when combined, equal 100% of the total requirement. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application.

How you will be evaluated

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

A resume must be no more than two pages. If an applicant's resume exceeds two pages, the USAJOBS database will not allow the application to be submitted.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position.

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process, including the application, USA Hire.

Online assessment: Applicants must complete the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessment may include general situations not directly related to customer experience. Applicants submitting complete application packages and completing the online assessment will move on to the next phase of the assessment process.

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these 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.

If you are the best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. To preview the application questionnaire, click: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13060577

Physical Demands: The work is principally sedentary. No unusual physical demands are involved.

1. Your resume (click the link for information on what to include). If you are a current or former Federal employee, your resume must indicate the GS or pay band level for each position held. Limit your resume to no more than two pages. The USAJOBS database will not allow an applicant to submit an application that includes a resume over two pages.
2. Your responses to the job questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13060577
3. Are you a current or former federal employee? Submit your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held; your current promotion potential and proof of permanent appointment if applying based on an interchange agreement. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions.
4. Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution listing the college/university, degree confirmation date(s) and applicable courses. Once selected and prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. For example, specific courses accepted for college-level credit by an accredited U.S. college or university, or foreign education evaluated by an organization recognized for accreditation by the Department of Education as education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. college or university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications for more information.
5. Are you a veteran? You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information.
6. Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP/ICTAP)? Submit the following:
   • A copy of your agency notice,
   • A copy of your most recent performance rating, and
   • A copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, noting your current position, grade level, and duty location.
7. Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
   • Position title,
   • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee),
   • Agency,
   • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
8. Are you applying under special hiring authorities as a military spouse? Provide a copy of your:
   • Marriage certificate, and
   • Your spouse's PCS orders or a completed SF-15 with supporting documentation.
9. Are you applying under Schedule A hiring authority for persons with severe disabilities? Provide evidence of your intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefit. Information on documentation can be found here.
10. If you are referred, you may be asked to provide a copy of your recent performance appraisal and/or incentive awards.

Next steps