Accountant (Staff) Job in Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)

Vacancy No. AC-25-12638792-CD Department AmeriCorps
Salary $74,441.00 to $96,763.00 Grade 3 to 3
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/16/2024 Close Date 12/30/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Anywhere in the U.S. (remote job)


Summary

This position is located within the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, Accounting and Financial Management Services (AFMS), Financial Reporting Branch.

Pay will be determined based on the duty location of the position. Remote employees will receive the locality rate associated with the location of their remote worksite, typically the employee's place of residence.

See the 'Additional Information' section for more remote work details.

Duties

The Staff Accountant independently carries out a wide variety of complex accounting activities and assignments to include but not limited to

  • Prepare and/or review the monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities for AmeriCorps financial reporting. This includes but is not limited to the evaluation of trial balances, general ledgers, journal vouchers, cash and other subledger reconciliations, Governmentwide Treasury Account Symbol Adjusted Trial Balance System (GTAS), and financial statement variance analysis.
  • Prepare and/or review Americorps monthly and annual financial statements (Balance Sheet, Statement of Net Cost, Statement of Changes in Net Position, and the Statement of Budgetary Resources) and required footnotes to ensure the reports are submitted timely and accurately in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Treasury, and other applicable organizations.
  • Research and recommend solutions for complex accounting issues. Review and develop U.S. Standard General Ledger (USSGL) compliant general ledger posting models for new, revised, or unusual accounting treatments.
  • Collaborate with Program Offices and shared service providers to execute projects to improve and streamline financial processes which would result in greater accuracy and usefulness of financial data.
  • Develop financial reporting guidance, memoranda, procedures, and instructions to facilitate accurate accounting and reporting.
  • Prepare and coordinate data for audit requests and take appropriate action to correct audit deficiencies.
  • Discuss complex accounting topics and plans for implementation with the Branch Chief and higher personnel, as needed. Conceive new strategies for solving problems. Develop and present both written and oral briefings to convey the result of analysis, alternatives, and recommendations.
  • Recommend efficiencies around operational processes, system modifications and ways to improve and strengthen internal controls over financial reporting. Advise other accountants and program representatives on the application of accounting principles applicable to their major functional or program area.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a United States Citizen
  • A 2-year probationary period is required for new Federal employees.
  • Merit Promotion and internal applicants must submit a SF-50 to verify status and grade
  • Must be telework ready.
  • See the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for more details regarding the agency's current full-time telework status.
  • If selected for the position, you must sign a Remote and Telework Agreement prior to onboarding that details the remote working conditions/expectations.
  • Satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
  • A financial disclosure may be required for this position.
  • Dates of employment, including beginning and end dates in the following format: month/day/year, must be included on resume.

Qualifications

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.
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to at least the lower range of the NY-03 pay band at, or comparable to, the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
  • Identifying problems and weaknesses and recommending solutions related to accounting and financial reporting issues;
  • Performing accounting or auditing work, which involves analyzing and reconciling financial account balances and reports; and/or
  • Providing recommendations on accounting policies and procedures to support an organization's accounting and financial management goals and objectives.


Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Such experience must be clearly documented in the applicant's resume.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement.

In order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must possess the following:

College degree from an accredited college/university in accounting, auditing, business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting or auditing (which may include up to 6 hours of business law).

**Transcripts must be provided to receive consideration**.


FOREIGN EDUCATION: 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Remote Status: This position is eligible for full-time remote work based on the duties of the position. If selected, employees must sign a remote work agreement prior to onboarding that details remote working conditions and expectations for the position. As agency remote work policies are finalized and/or evolve, there may be additional guidance and requirements for the position. After hire, employees must follow the requirements in the agency's change of duty station policy when changing duty stations. Some remote positions may require the employee's worksite to be within a specified geographic area to fulfill positions needs.

Additional Selections: Additional selections may be made from this announcement or for similar positions across AmeriCorps. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at AmeriCorps.

Military Selective Service Act: If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/59 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency.

Veteran's Preference: If you are claiming 5-point or 10-point veteran's preference, you must submit documentation described below in "Required Documents."

Special Employment Consideration: Persons with disabilities, disabled veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, certain other veterans, spouses of certain members of the Armed Forces, VISTA volunteers, some Peace Corps employees and returning Peace Corps volunteers are examples of individuals who are potentially eligible for noncompetitive appointment. If you are eligible and would like to be considered for one of these noncompetitive appointments, applicable documentation that supports your eligibility must be submitted with your application package.

Ethics Requirement: Our Agency is committed to the highest ethical standards and, as an employee you will be covered by the criminal conflict of interest statutes (18 U.S.C. 201-209) and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (5 C.F.R. part 2635). Additionally, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) or Public Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 278e) within 30 days of your appointment date and on an annual basis thereafter.

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.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

  • Accounting
  • Customer Service
  • Oral and Written Communication
  • Problem Solving

Important Note: Your resume must support your answers to the job specific questions. High self-assessment on the Occupational Questionnaire that is not supported by the information in your resume or supporting documents can/will result in elimination from further consideration. If you do not answer all of the job specific questions you will not be considered. Incomplete applications (resume and required supporting documents) will be considered ineligible.

Qualified applicants will be placed in one of the following three categories:

1 - Qualified Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement.
2 - Well Qualified Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates proficiency based on the answers to the job specific questions.
3 - Best Qualified Category - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates high level proficiency based on the answers to the job specific questions.

NOTE: Status candidates will be considered under the provisions of the agency's Human Resources system which allows for:
1) Non-competitive referral of lateral candidates; and
2) The separation of status and non-status applicants for referral purposes.

Status candidates will be referred on one selection list only, i.e., either merit promotion or non-competitive. Non-status candidates who are eligible for Noncompetitive referral, e.g. Peace Corps, VRA, etc., will be referred under Noncompetitive procedures only. For Noncompetitive categories, See "Special Employment Consideration" below under "Other Information."

Required Documents

  • Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional);
  • Unofficial transcript (if qualifying based on education):
  • Veterans' Preference Documentation (DD-214, VA Letter, and SF-15 if claiming 10-point preference; DD-214 if claiming 5-point preference), if applicable;
  • For Merit Promotion Eligibility: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (must indicate tenure and position occupied), if applicable;
    • Recent performance evaluation
  • Documentation supporting eligibility for Non-Competitive appointment, e.g., Schedule A (severely disabled), eligible veterans (VRA or 30-percent or more disabled), VISTA, Peace Corps, etc., if applicable

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 occupational questionnaire, which is available to preview here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12638792, along with submitting the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 12/30/2024.

  • To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  • Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  • To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the Agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

AmeriCorps Hiring
Address
AmeriCorps
250 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20525
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the occupational questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful, however, you must also include a resume and any other documents that are applicable to you under the "Required Documents" section of this vacancy announcement. After a review of your complete application is made, you will be notified of your status via email. Please be aware that emails could reside in your "junk," "bulk," or "spam" mail folder, depending on your filters. You will be notified of the final outcome.


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


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