LEAD ACCOUNTANT

Summary Who may apply : Current, permanent DFAS employees in the competitive service and current DFAS VRA employees within DFAS Indianapolis Operations, in the local commuting area, and eligible DoD PPP Military Spouse preference applicants. This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment. Responsibilities Ensures that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team's goals, objectives, work plans, products and services. Articulates and communicates to the team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, milestones, and / or program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion. Coaches team in selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques; provides advice on work methods and procedures, and assists the team and / or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution. Represents team in dealings with supervisor for the purpose of obtaining resources and securing needed information or decisions from supervisor on major work problems and issues that arise. 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 : (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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as : providing professional accounting services or management advice to customers in the application of accounting theories, concepts, principles or standards to independently negotiate solutions for issues related to operational accounting and finance work. 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. Applicant must have served 52 weeks as a GS-12 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 Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level. Additional Information Moving expenses WILL NOT be paid. 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 1-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 (1-24%). This position IS covered by a bargaining unit. 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. 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. 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 :