ACCOUNTANT

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment. Provides professional accounting advice and assistance in the application and compliance of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures. 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. Reviews, analyzes and modifies operating programs, practices, and procedures related to receiving, controlling, validating, recording, and reporting accounting transactions. 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. Basic Requirements: 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 bachelor's 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. For the GS-07: 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) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Specialized Experience For The GS-07 Is Defined As: Validating, maintaining, or processing accounting data or transactions in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulations. (Experience must be clearly expressed in your resume.) For the GS-09: In addition To Meeting The Basic Requirement: Qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-07 for GS-09) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Specialized Experience For The GS-09 Is Defined As: Utilizing established accounting standards to compile, analyze, and summarize accounting data resulting from day-to-day accounting operations, maintaining the integrity of financial accounts and, preparing financial statements and/or reports in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulations. (Experience must be clearly expressed in your resume.) For the GS-11: 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) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Specialized Experience For The GS-11 Is Defined As: Interpreting and applying of accounting principles, policies, and procedures; assisting in designing, implementing and assessing of internal accounting control processes; and ensuring the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes. (Experience must be clearly expressed in your resume.) 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. You may qualify for consideration if meeting 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. GS-07 (2-grade interval) 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) at the undergraduate degree level may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Superior Academic Achievement: S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. 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-09 Substitution of Education for Experience: Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Master's 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). 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: http://www.dfas.mil/dam/dfas/careers/pdf/DoDFMCertificationProgram.pdf.