ACCOUNTANT

Accounting Specialist

Who May Apply : Current, permanent DFAS employees in the competitive service, eligible DoD PPP Military Spouse preference applicants and current DFAS VRA employees. This job opportunity announcement is using an additional online assessment tool to evaluate applicants. Pay for first time hires to Federal Government will be set at step 1 for their respective grade level.

Responsibilities :

• Proposes new procedures and methods or modifies existing procedures and methods to resolve current problems and enhance the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes.
• Establishes and monitors internal control systems and examines internal control systems and analyzes / evaluates effectiveness, adequacy, and interrelationships within / among segments of the system and other segments within the organization.
• Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the status of performance measurement and financial management information indicators for assessing the health and effectiveness of accounting operations.
• Coordinates with budget personnel regarding actions required to identify, track, research, liquidate / cancel unliquidated balances in expiring and closing appropriations.
• Assists customers with accounting data interpretation, applies financial data to management problems, and develops extracts of accounting systems data for use in financial program execution analysis.
• Provides professional accounting advice and assistance to supported organizations and lower graded accountants and / or accounting technicians in the resolution of diverse, complex, or controversial accounting problems.

Duties described above reflect the full performance level GS-12. Duties assigned to an entry grade of GS-11 will be developmental in nature.

Requirements :

Conditions of Employment :

Qualifications :

Basic Requirements :

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the basic requirements described below :

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-09 for GS-11 applicants or GS-11 for GS-12 applicants) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience for the GS-11 level is defined as : Providing professional accounting services, advice, assistance, or information to an assigned area by applying accounting concepts, principles, or methods to the day-to-day accounting operations.

Specialized experience for the GS-12 level is defined as : Providing professional accounting services such as, ensuring operational effectiveness or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) compliance, independently analyzing or interpreting financial data, statements, or reports using analytical methods, or delivering technical accounting expertise to design, implement, or assess accounting systems, procedures, and internal control processes.

Time-in-Grade for GS-11 : Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-09 or higher grade in Federal Service.

Time-in-Grade for GS-12 : Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher grade in 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-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.

GS-12 Substitution of Education for Experience : Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level. If you are using education to substitute for the qualifying 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.

Additional Information :

Moving expenses will be paid at the GS-12 level. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements / payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements.

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. As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a one year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider : your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Seldom (0-24%). This position is covered by a bargaining unit.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only. 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.

Financial Management Certification Level 2 : 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.