Lead Accountant Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. req769 Department U.S. Capitol Police
Salary $170,001.00 to $209,911.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 6/8/2026 Close Date 6/15/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Lead Accountant

Legislative Branch
U.S. Capitol Police

Summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: <a href="https://uscp.csodfed.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=uscp&source=USA">USCP Careers</a>

Duties

The position is located in the U.S. Capitol Police, Office of Chief Administrative Officer, Office of Financial Management, Accounts Payable Division (APD). APD plans, directs and coordinates the financial accounting operations; reports and compiles activities of the USCP annual financial statements working with external auditors; processes and audits all vendor payments documents; and coordinates problem resolution with vendors. As Lead Accountant, the incumbent serves as a team lead and expert for planning, overseeing, and evaluating financial management and cost accounting activities.

Serves as a technical expert, providing technical guidance regarding the recording and control of obligations, accounts payable, cost accruals, and disbursements.  Analyze, evaluate and review program issues and financial data and reports using business tools and applications, cost and economic analysis, and performance metrics to provide recommendations. Research and analyze information related to accounting processes to ensure completeness and accuracy of accounting transactions. Apply federal accounting standards, fiscal law, policies, regulations, principles, standards, internal controls and procedures to financial management activities. Independently identifies and implements changes and improvements to internal controls within the Accounts Payable Division and other USCP entities.

Provides financial guidance to OFM staff and other USCP units to ensure accurate classification and timely recording of transactions entered directly into the accounting system or systems interfaced with the system, and to ensure data maintained in subsidiary ledgers are reconciled with accounting system data on a timely basis.
Records and/or approves financial transactions timely, accurately, and in accordance with USCP accounting policies and procedures and U.S. Standard General Ledger. Identifies and analyzes unusual fluctuations in account activity or balances; performs reconciliation of accounts; maintains current standard operating procedures.

Responsible for major accounting systems development and design of disbursement operations and maintenance in a complex environment where there are significant interfaces with automated management systems.
Provides a variety of analytical, technical, and administrative work for program areas which may include invoice payment, travel programs, reconciling cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other support activities. Verifies source documents for accuracy, determines necessary transactions, identifies and analyzes changes in program plans, financial policies regulations, and constraints and their effect on organizational objectives.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. citizen. Applicants must be a current USCP employee to be considered for this position vacancy.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below.

For the CP-12/GS-14 you must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CP-11/GS-13.  Specialized experience includes expert knowledge in recording and controlling obligations, accounts payable, cost accruals and disbursement. In addition, experience in developing, maintaining and implementing accounting policy and procedures to ensure USCP compliance with generally accepted accounting principles that are accurate and consistent with reporting financial data.

This position has a positive education requirement. At the time of application, you must submit  a copy of your academic transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed and grades received to verify education. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position.

Degree: accounting and/or auditing; 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 / auditing. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.

OR

Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting / auditing, or an equivalent combination of accounting / auditing experience, college-level education and training that provided professional accounting / auditing 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 semester hours of business law; or

2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor that was 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, provided that (a) the applicant 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 have determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting / auditing and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency and level of advancement which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described above; (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting / auditing, the applicant’s education, training and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

*Applicants must be a current USCP employee to be considered for this position vacancy.*

All eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

(Information on Qualification & Education is located at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/)

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. At the time of application, you must submit a copy of your academic transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed and grades received to verify education. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated and you may lose consideration for this position. A. Degree: accounting and/or auditing; 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 / auditing. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. OR B. Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting / auditing, or an equivalent combination of accounting / auditing experience, college-level education and training that provided professional accounting / auditing 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 semester hours of business law; or 2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor that was 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, provided that (a) the applicant 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 have determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting / auditing and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency and level of advancement which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described above; (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting / auditing, the applicant’s education, training and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

Additional information

Additional Conditions of Employment with the USCP: As per the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, criminal history information will only be collected following a qualifications review and after a tentative offer of employment has been made. A criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment with the USCP. Criminal History Check -- Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years if offered employment. A criminal history check will be performed on applicants who accept an offer of employment. Credit Check -- Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans. Applicants must demonstrate a competent financial history. Financial delinquency including collection accounts, liens, repossessions, or garnishments may be a basis for disqualification. Selective Service Registration -- Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration. https://www.sss.gov/verify/ Fingerprint Check -- Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of their criminal history record. Background Investigation -- Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background investigation. There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests, or convictions, may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process.

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.

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.

Evaluation Factors: Please address all Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) within the narrative responses so that your experience can be evaluated properly. We will review your resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for this job. If you meet the minimum requirements for this job, we will evaluate your application materials to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your qualifications, accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. Failure to successfully pass a full field background investigation and all segments of the pre-employment evaluation process will result in disqualification from further consideration under this vacancy announcement.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement: 1. Your resume: Page limit is two (2) pages and should include a description of related job duties as well as dates of employment (mm/yy). Margins cannot be smaller than .5 all around and the font no smaller than 11-point. 2. Other supporting documents: - Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. - College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education, or other documentation to prove possession of the basic requirements for this position.

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

Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: USCP Careers 1. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit Application button to submit your application package. 3. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. 4. To verify that your application is complete, log into your account and select the job posting for this position. The page will display the status of your application, the documentation received, and any correspondence the Department has sent related to this application. 5. Failure to provide all required documents and information requested by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application not being considered. The complete application package must be submitted by 7:59 PM (ET) on the closing date to receive consideration.

Agency contact information

Email
yetreta.washington@uscp.gov
Address
Office of Financial Management
119 D Street NE
Washington, DC 20510

Next steps

After a review of your application materials is made, you will be notified of your eligibility status. If you are referred to the hiring official, you will receive further notification. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Please note that if you are not selected for this position, the USCP may not be able to provide specific feedback or disclose the reasons for your disqualification, due to confidentiality and legal considerations related to the hiring process.

U.S. Capitol Police

We protect the legislative process, the symbol of our democracy, the U.S. Capitol, the people who carry out the legislative process, and the millions of visitors who travel here to see democracy in action. Every American who visits the Capitol-as well as visitors from around the world-become part of our protected community. They see the USCP first-hand as the best of America's spirit and diversity. The USCP acts on the world stage every day as a model in security, urban crime prevention, dignitary protection, specialty response capability, and homeland security. We are often the first face that visitors and employees encounter, and we leave a lasting impression that reflects the Legislative Branch and its role in America's democracy.

Agency contact information

Email
yetreta.washington@uscp.gov
Address
Office of Financial Management
119 D Street NE
Washington, DC 20510