Accountant - Recent Graduate

Department of Energy Headquarters • Anchorage, AK

11h • Onsite

About The Position

The Recent Graduates Program is a one-year developmental program that promotes careers in the Federal Government. Participants receive training and professional development, complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP), and are assigned a mentor. Participants who successfully complete program requirements may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent civil-service position; conversion is not automatic or guaranteed and is at the discretion of the hiring manager and employing office.

This Accountant position may be filled at varying full-performance levels, such as GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 equivalent, depending on the selecting Program Office. Grade levels and responsibilities will be discussed during the interview process. The duties described in the announcement cover GS-7 and GS-9 positions. The job is not remote, and the selectee must report to the selected duty station. Applicants are asked to identify their top two preferred locations and/or locations to which they are willing to relocate.

At GS-7, the Accountant reconciles differences between the automated accounting system’s General Ledger, subsidiary data modules, and accounting records; initiates corrective actions; creates queries and comparison reports to identify information sources and variances; formulates corrective actions and process improvements; and assists with testing, evaluating, installing, converting, adapting, or modifying accounting systems.

At GS-9, the Accountant analyzes and reconciles accounting and financial data, reviews financial statements and managerial reports for errors, monitors accounting systems and internal controls, performs automated accounting and financial systems assignments, and participates in projects assessing the accuracy of accounting data and the organization’s financial condition.

The position is part of the Department of Energy’s Pathways Recent Graduates Program. Selectees must meet the program’s eligibility and education requirements. Positions may require a financial disclosure report, drug testing, or participation in the DOE Technical Qualifications Program. Relocation expenses or incentives, recruitment incentives, student loan repayment, advance-in-hire, and creditable service may be available, but are not guaranteed. The position is non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Salary is determined by duty location, and management may select at any grade level.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen, National, or qualifying Foreign National under applicable immigration and annual appropriations laws.
• Meet the Pathways Recent Graduate eligibility rules, including having completed a qualifying degree, certificate, or career or technical education program within the previous two years, or meeting the specified upcoming-graduate or eligible-veteran provisions.
• Provide proof of the qualifying education or career/technical program, or applicable veteran service documentation.
• Meet the accounting series 0510 basic education requirements through a bachelor’s degree in accounting; a related bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester hours in accounting (up to 6 hours may be business law); or an accepted combination of accounting experience, education, and training meeting the stated criteria.
• For GS-7, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 assisting in identifying accounting errors; or qualify through one year of graduate-level education, superior academic achievement with a bachelor’s degree, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-9, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 assisting in identifying and resolving accounting issues; or qualify through two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree, a master’s or equivalent graduate degree, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• Submit a transcript or equivalent, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate, or a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certificate as specified in the announcement.
• Have education from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; provide an evaluation of foreign education credentials when qualifying on foreign education.
• Meet suitability requirements for Federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement and serve a trial period throughout the excepted-service appointment.
• Submit a financial disclosure statement if required for the position.
• Comply with applicant and random drug testing if the position is designated for testing.
• Complete DOE Technical Qualifications Program requirements within the specified timeframe if the position is included in that program.
• For conversion to a permanent or term position, be a U.S. Citizen or National, be recommended by a manager or supervisor, complete program requirements and one year of continuous service, receive at least a Fully Successful performance appraisal, and meet the target position’s qualification standards.
• Be committed to improving Federal government efficiency, supporting the ideals of the American republic, and upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Reconcile differences among the automated accounting system’s General Ledger, subsidiary data modules, and accounting records, and initiate corrective actions.
• Create queries and comparison reports that identify information sources and highlight variances to expedite reconciliations.
• Formulate corrective actions and process improvements and institute them as required.
• Assist with enhancement, adaptation, installation, conversion, evaluation, or modification of accounting systems by testing system functionality.
• Analyze and reconcile accounting and financial data and information.
• Review financial statements, consolidated financial statements, and special managerial reporting to identify errors.
• Monitor accounting-system elements and internal controls and identify problems affecting accounting and financial-management effectiveness.
• Perform automated accounting and financial systems assignments to solve accounting problems and support consistent, quality financial information and reports.
• Participate in special projects analyzing accounting data to ensure it accurately reflects the financial condition of the assigned organization.
• Complete the Recent Graduates Program’s training, professional development, and Individual Development Plan requirements, and participate in mentoring.
• If seeking program conversion, complete training and development requirements and one year of continuous service, achieve at least a Fully Successful performance rating, and meet the qualification standards for the conversion position.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to the employee and family; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Relocation expenses or incentives may be available.
• Recruitment incentives may be available.
• Student loan repayment may be available.
• Advance in hire based on superior qualifications may be available.
• Creditable service may be available.
• Successful program participants may be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent civil-service position, subject to stated conditions and management discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level