Accountant (GS-7/9/11)
Apply online through November 27th at: USAJOBS - Job Announcement
This is NOT a remote work opportunity. Positions are located at Limestone, ME.
Summary
Who May Apply:
- United States Citizens
- Everyone selected for this position will have to reside in the local commuting area of DFAS-Limestone, ME.
- Pay for first time hires to the Federal Govt will typically be set at step 1 salary for their respective grade level.
- Please note, these positions are NOT eligible for remote telework. This position is eligible for local telework near the duty station of the position, subject to management review and approval.
Duties
- 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.
- 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.
- The major duties described below reflect the full performance level of this position.
- Duties will be developmental in nature while performing below the full performance level (GS-11).
- These are NOT REMOTE/VIRTUAL positions: Everyone selected for this position will have to reside in the LOCAL Commuting area of DFAS-Limestone, ME.
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Background or Security Investigation - see the Additional Information field below for more details.
- Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959).
- Suitable for Federal employment.
- Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification.
- New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
- FLSA: NON-EXEMPT at the GS-07 and GS-09 level. FLSA: EXEMPT at the GS-11 level.
Qualifications
This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period..
Applicants MUST have related financial experience AND/OR a related financial degree (examples include: Finance, Accounting, Management, Actuarial Science, or related), in addition to meeting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification requirements. Substitution of combination of education and experience must still, in conjunction, minimally satisfy the DHA qualification requirement.
Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria. Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe this in your resume. Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient.
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 MUST 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 Certificatins.
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 a GS-07, GS-07 for a GS-09, and GS-09 for a GS-11) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
Specialized Experience For The GS-07 Is Defined As:
- Applying accounting laws, principles, systems, policies, methods, and practices to provide routine technical guidance to managers, employees and/or customers. Demonstrated experience in validating, maintaining, or processing accounting data or transactions in accordance with policies, procedures, and regulations.
Specialized Experience For The GS-09 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. Utilizes 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.
Specialized Experience For The GS-11 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.
This position is developmental and selections may be made at the GS-07, GS-09, or GS-11 entry grade levels. Once eligibility and qualification requirements are met, selectees will be eligible for promotion at management discretion to the GS-09 and GS-11 grade levels without further competition.
Volunteer Experience:
- 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
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.
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 FM Certification
Education
After the basic requirement is met, education may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirements of the position: If you are using education to substitute for the qualifying experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply.
GS-07 Substitution of Education for Experience:
- One full year of graduate level education or a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement 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-9 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).
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be used to substitute for the specialized experience requirement.
Official Transcripts: If the position you are applying for has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications (i.e. you would not qualify without the education obtained), you MUST submit transcripts with your application.
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- Official transcripts are not required at the time of application outside of what is outlined above; however, official transcripts must be verified PRIOR to appointment.
- An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.
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FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying or prior to appointment as outlined above.
- Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation upon request. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
For more information regarding evaluation of foreign education for federal employment, please visit the U.S. Department of Education
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be used to substitute for the specialized experience requirement.
For more information or to apply visit: USAJOBS - Job Announcement