ACCOUNTANT

Summary Who may apply: Current, permanent DFAS employees in the competitive service and current DFAS VRA employees in the local commuting area and eligible DoD PPP Military Spouse preference applicants. This announcement will be used to fill positions with an entry grade of GS-7, or GS-9 with a target grade of GS-11. The min salary for GS-7 is $51,115, the max is $66,450. The min salary for GS-9 is $62,522, the max is $81,278. The min salary for GS-11 is $75,646, the max is $98,338. Responsibilities Provides professional accounting advice and assistance in the application and compliance of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures. Review, analyze, and modify operating programs, practices, and procedures related to receiving, validating, recording, reporting accounting transactions affecting the asset, liability, revenue, expense, and budgetary accounts of supported orgs. Assists in establishing and monitoring internal controls to identify problem areas, determine actions required to improve operating program effectiveness, and ensure and maintain the integrity of financial and accounting information. Applies knowledge and understanding of automated data processing systems as they apply to accounting systems and “feeder” systems and the ability to deal effectively and logically in solving program/system issues. Performs special audits, studies, reports and/or, analysis to evaluate the status of the financial health and/or position of accounting operations based on balanced scorecard measurements or indicators. For vacancies filled at less than the full performance level of the position, duties will be developmental in nature. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the basic requirements described below: (1) Completion of all requirements for a bachelors degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; 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. OR (2) Candidates may also qualify through a combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor. You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05 for GS-07 grade level; GS-07 for GS-09 grade level; GS-09 for GS-11 grade level) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level is defined as: applying accounting laws, principles, systems, policies, methods, and practices to provide routine technical guidance to managers, employees and/or customers; evaluating reports from financial systems; gathering financial data from various sources related to a specific financial issue; and researching accounting policies and laws to resolve common issues. Specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level is defined as: providing professional accounting services, advice, assistance, and information to an assigned area by applying accounting concepts, principles, and methods to the day-to-day accounting operations and automated accounting systems. Specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level is defined as: providing professional accounting services in the interpretation and application of accounting principles, policies, and procedures; designing, implementing and assessing internal control processes; conducting studies of financial management execution activities; enhancing the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes. Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. To be considered for the GS-7, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-5 or higher in the Federal service. To be considered for the GS-9, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-7 or higher in the Federal service. To be considered for the GS-11, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-9 or higher in the Federal service. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Education GS-07 Substitution of Education for Experience: One full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/policy/ApplicationOfStds-04.asp) may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). GS-9 Substitution of Education for Experience: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Masters or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). Additional Information Moving expenses will not be paid. Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. A one year probationary or trial period may be required. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is Non-Exempt for GS-7 and 9 and Exempt for GS-11 from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Seldom. This position is covered by a bargaining unit. This position will be covered by formal training under the DFAS Career Acclimation Program (DCAP). The purpose of this program is to develop well-qualified, well-trained, high potential employees for future positions within DFAS. Promotion is conditional based on performance, successful completion of training, and availability of higher graded work. Participants who do not successfully complete the program may be separated. For grades below the full performance level, only MSP/PPP eligible candidates who currently occupy a formal training program position will be entitled to exercise their priority preference. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here) This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 2 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service. Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at https://www.dfas.mil/Portals/98/Documents/Careers/CareerPaths/Finance/DoDFMCertificationProgram.pdf?ver=2020-04-13-164314-517. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.