ACCOUNTANT

Finance Specialist

Help designs, adapts, revises, and evaluates accounting reports, procedures, and operations encompassing multiple financial management / accounting systems and all DoD component activities.

Reviews / analyzes new legislation and proposed policy changes to determine impact(s) on current operations.

Develops detailed reports of impact of changes and coordinates with higher authorities to provide input into policy development, and to ensure the consistent and accurate interpretation and application of policy system-wide.

Reviews a variety of incoming, outgoing, and summary financial reports to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of financial operations and financial reports submitted operating from operating activities.

Serves as an expert on accounting operations. Advises financial and program managers and other accountants on the most difficult accounting situations / problems.

Determines the meaning / significance of data contained in accounting and financial statements to identify problems and advise supported organizations.

Must be a U.S Citizen or National

This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.

Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)

Suitable for Federal employment

Time after Competitive Appointment : Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.

Time in Grade Requirement - see the Qualifications field below for more details.

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.

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.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.

Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.

The incumbent of this position will be required to be physically on-site full-time, regular telework is not authorized for this position.

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 need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position.

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 experience such as : Preparing and analyzing Fund Balance with Treasury data, or extracting data from accounting systems and creating data dashboards to communicate key performance indicators to stakeholders of all levels, or using accounting data and policy to implement solutions to problems and lead process improvement initiatives, or managing, operating, and analyzing accounting systems in connection with other business activities to improve overall operational efficiency, or designing, implementing, and strengthening internal controls across the enterprise.

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.

Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

Moving expenses may 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.

Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.

This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Travel requirement is seldom.

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.

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.

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 : https : / / www.dfas.mil / onboarding2 / certifications /