Accountant/ (Senior Forensic Accountant) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. DE-12609893-25-BCP-DLTA Department Federal Trade Commission
Salary $163,964.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/20/2024 Close Date 12/3/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

This position is in the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP), Division of Litigation Technology & Analysis (DLTA or Division). The Division plays a central role in the investigation and litigation of consumer protection matters. The applicant serves as a Senior Forensic Accountant responsible for conducting complex financial investigations involving large sums of money and vast numbers of complex financial arrangements and transactions.

Duties

The employee will serve as a Senior Forensic Accountant and perform the following duties:

  • Serves as a senior forensic accountant and authority in the identification, examination, and analysis of financial data in consumer protection investigations and law enforcement actions.
  • Plans, coordinates, and leads complex financial investigations.
  • Reviews the nature of allegations being analyzed and identifies the data required for analysis.
  • Utilizes various computer applications such as Comprehensive Financial Investigative Solution (CFIS) and Microsoft Excel to review and interpret implications of a vast number and variety of financial transactions.
  • Reconstructs and interprets financial records to calculate the amount of consumer harm, identify available assets, and track the movement of funds.
  • Provides advice on accounting and financial practices as well as forensic accounting techniques.
  • Recommends alternative methods to address issues encountered and ensures that methods comply with all appropriate procedures and laws.
  • Conducts ability to pay analysis for companies and individuals and provides advice to support monetary settlements.
  • Develops new forensic accounting techniques applicable to various financial investigations.
  • Compiles complex financial findings to prepare in-depth financial investigative reports, declarations, and exhibits.
  • Develops and provides forensic accounting presentations and briefings.
  • Testifies in judicial proceedings.
  • Serves as a resource for FTC attorneys and investigators and conducts training in the fundamentals of forensic accounting and analysis.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
  • Position is subject to a background investigation.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
  • You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
  • This position is in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Accountant / Senior Forensic Accountant you must meet the positive education requirement.

Minimum 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 four (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.
In addition to meeting the education requirement, to qualify for an Accountant/ Senior Forensic Accountant at the GS-15 level, you must meet the following requirements:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: applying a variety of accounting, auditing, and Federal financial management theories, principles, practices, methods, and techniques sufficient to act as a technical authority responsible for independently planning, coordinating, and leading complex financial investigations; conducting in-depth forensic examination or analysis of complex financial records and producing detailed financial investigative reports and presentations; working knowledge of financial models and techniques to determine a company's ability to pay a fine or other fees; researching, analyzing, and processing information related to accounting transactions to ensure completeness and accuracy of data; proficiency in the use of financial software such as Microsoft Excel and CFIS.



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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You must submit a copy of your transcripts . Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION

Additional information

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: VETERANS GUIDE

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see SELECTIVE SERVICE).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: CAREER TRANSITION.

Non-competitive Appointment Authorities:

For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
- Other Special Appointment Authorities

Benefits

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.

Review our benefits

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation 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.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category.

Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies.

Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.

Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Accounting Operations, Data Management, Oral Communication, Planning and Evaluating, and Writing
Mastery of accounting and financial management theories, concepts, principles, and practices of accounting and financial management sufficient to serve as a senior accountant advising senior officials.
Comprehensive knowledge of personal computers and financial software and applications.
Advanced skill in communicating financial and other information in a clear and understandable format.
Advanced skill in collecting and organizing data, analyzing information, and preparing reports.

  • Accounting Operations
  • Data Management
  • Oral Communication
  • Planning and Evaluating
  • Writing


To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12609893.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:
- Cover Letter, optional
- College Transcript(s) - REQUIRED
- Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
- 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.)
- Schedule A- In order to receive consideration under the Schedule A authority, you must provide a certification of job readiness printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. For more information, please visit USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

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/.

Agency contact information

Corey Pickeral
Address
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite H-723
Washington, DC 20580
US
Learn more about this agency

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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