Summary
This position is located in the External Compliance Division, Compliance Operations, Chief Financial Officer, Business Center, Rural Development (RD), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This is a restricted REMOTE position. The incumbent works from a HOME office within commuting distance (50 miles) of selected city.
1 vacancy - Las Vegas or Reno, NV
1 vacancy - Denver, CO
1 vacancy - Portland OR, or Spokane WA
Duties
- Assists in directing and coordinating studies and analyses to determine whether borrower and grantee accounting objectives are being achieved in accordance with approved RD policies and procedures.
- Develops recommendations and justifications for new accounting systems and broad revisions to existing accounting systems.
- Provides technical advice and assistance to the Agency’s line and staff offices and to CPAs concerning the interpretation and application of technical accounting principles and auditing standards.
- Serves as a consultant to RD committees, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide technical advice and assistance on RD accounting policies and procedures.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a US Citizen or US National.
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
- Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
- Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
- Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
For the GS-12: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 or its nonfederal equivalent that demonstrates: Experience in the accounting field of accounting theories, concepts, principles, and practices to conduct a variety of assignments related to accounting and financial transactions. Experience in performing attestation engagements (compliance reviews/audits). Experience conducting studies and analyses to determine if the borrower's and/or grantee's accounting objectives are being achieved in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Audit Standards. Experience reviewing audited financial statements for compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Experience revising current accounting systems to comply with the issuance of new accounting principles. Experience implementing changes to internal control systems to improve the business operations, financial conditions, or compliance with audit findings. Experience interpreting the findings of an audit and measure the potential impact on the entity's operations. Experience in providing advice and assistance to the Agency's staff offices, external awardees, and to CPAs, concerning the interpretation and application of accounting principles and auditing standards. Experience with researching emerging accounting and audit standards and develop, evaluate, and review position papers on the standards. Experience drafting audit findings and recommendations based on accounting practices or regulatory guidelines. Experience making formal presentations to internal and external organizations, professional societies, and executive management personnel. Performs compliance reviews on external awardees' accounting systems. Experience in advising Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) with respect to agency audit requirements. Reviews CPA audit reports and reviews work papers to determine the degree of borrower and grantee compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, practices and procedures; ensures compliance with the Agency's auditing requirements.
For the GS-13: Applicants must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 or its nonfederal equivalent that demonstrates:
Experience in the accounting field of accounting theories, concepts, principles, and practices to conduct a variety of assignments related to accounting and financial transactions. Experience conducting attestation engagements (reviews/audits) as an audit manager (auditor in charge) in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Audit Standards. Experience reviewing audited financial statements for compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Experience implementing changes to internal control systems to improve the business operations, financial conditions, or compliance with audit findings. Experience in drafting and reviewing proposed audit procedures and accounting guidance. Experience researching emerging accounting and audit standards and develop, evaluate, review, and defend position papers on the standards. Experience creating audit findings and recommendations based on technical accounting practices or regulatory guidelines. Experience in providing training to various program areas on reviewing CPA audit reports, financial statements, and other financial reports used to evaluate RD borrowers' and grantees' ability to repay their loans or carry out program objectives. Experience developing and recommending proposed accounting policies, procedures, and standards relating to borrowers' and grantees' accounting systems and reviewing audit reports prepared by internal and external accountants to determine compliance with acceptable accounting principles, practices, and procedures. Independently performs compliance reviews on external awardees' accounting systems. Experience in advising CPAs and financial and program managers on complex accounting problems and providing solutions to internal control and reporting problems. Experience in analyzing financial information to identify problem areas and to advise managers and other accountants.
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 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
A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education
In addition to the specialized experience, applicants must meet the Basic Requirements as outlined below.
Applicants must provide documentation (such as a transcript, CPA certificate, etc.) to show they meet the Basic Requirements, either Alternative A or Alternative B for this position. Failure to provide documentation may result in loss of consideration for this position.
Alternative 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
Alternative 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:
- Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
- A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
- 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.
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.
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.
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of two or three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.
Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.
To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12455365
When we complete our selections, the remaining list of qualified candidates may be shared with additional Federal agencies. You will have an opportunity to opt-in if you would like your name, application materials, and assessment results shared with additional Federal agencies to be considered for employment. There is no guarantee of further consideration.
Required Documents
The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
- Resume that includes:1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications.
- If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
- If claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
- If claiming 10-point veteran's preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS
- Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
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
Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
Applying online is highly encouraged. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00a.m. - 4:00p.m., Monday - Friday). If applying online poses a hardship, contact the Agency Contact listed below well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages must be complete and submitted no later than noon ET on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact the Agency Contact to request this.
To begin, click "Apply" and follow the instructions to complete the Assessment Questionnaire and attach your resume and all required documents.
NOTE: Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 5MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, TXT or Word (DOC or DOCX). Do not upload Adobe Portfolio documents because they are not viewable.
Next steps
Your application will be reviewed to verify that you meet the eligibility and qualification requirements for the position prior to issuing referral lists to the selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Log in to your USAJOBS account to check your application status.
You must choose to turn on email notifications in your USAJOBS profile if you want to receive important email notifications that may impact your applicant experience (e.g. If you start an application and do not submit it prior to the closing date, USAJOBS will send an email reminder that the closing date is approaching and your application is in an incomplete status).
Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement
Under the Fair Chance Act, agencies are not allowed to request information about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment has been made, except as allowed for access to classified information; assignment to national security duties or positions; acceptance or retention in the armed forces; or recruitment of a Federal law enforcement officer. An applicant may submit a complaint or any other information related to an organization's alleged noncompliance with the Fair Chance Act. The complaint must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged noncompliance. To make a Fair Chance Act inquiry or complaint, send an email with the appropriate information to david.root@usda.gov, subject line: Fair Chance Act.
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