Accountant

Veterans Health Administration•Roanoke, VA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Accountant is a member of the VISN 2, HSA 2.1, Centralized Finance Service (CFS), performing professional accounting work using accounting principles, theories, concepts, and practices. The role maintains liaison between medical-center operating and management officials and the CFS to support timely, accurate reporting of cost and transaction information. The Accountant compiles cost data for reports that inform medical-center budget processes and resource allocation within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The position maintains and reconciles general-ledger accounts and related subsidiary accounts across various appropriations, including revolving funds, fund accounts, construction accounts, and grant accounts. It ensures accounting data, computerized cost-accounting reports, and trial balances are in balance; prepares internal audit reports when requested; and performs monthly and year-end accruals needed for financial statements. The Accountant reviews transactions for accuracy and consistent appropriation charges and accounting treatment, applies changes to VA accounting policies, and uses judgment to establish local procedures that support accounting principles. The Accountant advises program managers and management officials on regulatory requirements, financial policies, interpretation of data, and program improvements. The role provides accounting expertise and fiscal services to subordinates, department and senior management, and VA Central Office financial management. It also maintains and audits general-ledger accounts across assets, liabilities, income, expenses, cost accounting, and budgeting; controls expenditure accounting; monitors fund balances; validates reports and data; and recommends corrective action and procedural changes when errors or shortcomings are identified. The work is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is not virtual.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Meet the individual occupational requirement through an accounting degree; a related degree with 24 semester hours in accounting; or the specified combination of accounting experience, education, training, and qualifying coursework or certification.
For GS-11, meet the specialized-experience requirement with one year of experience equivalent to GS-09, qualifying graduate education, or an allowable combination of education and experience.
Specialized experience must include relevant work such as validating accounting data, reconciling accounts, preparing balance sheets or financial statements, analyzing financial information, supporting management decisions, or establishing local accounting systems.
Current or former federal employees subject to time-in-grade rules must have 52 weeks at GS-09 for a GS-11 position by the announcement closing date.
Submit a resume that documents job titles, duties, dates worked by month and year, and hours worked per week.
Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
Meet physical requirements involving mostly sedentary work, with some walking, stooping, bending, and carrying files, folders, or boxes.
Satisfactorily complete a background/security investigation and the online onboarding process, including acceptable identification for employment verification.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment for VA Health Care Personnel.
Serve a one-year probationary period.
Submit transcripts or other required documentation when using education or credentials to qualify.

Responsibilities

Maintain liaison between medical-center operating and management officials and the Centralized Finance Service to support timely, accurate reporting of cost and transaction information.
Compile cost data and prepare reports used in medical-center budgeting and VHA resource allocation.
Maintain and perform monthly reconciliations of general-ledger accounts and related subsidiary accounts for various appropriations, including revolving funds, fund accounts, construction accounts, and grant accounts.
Ensure accounting data, computerized cost-accounting reports, and trial balances are in balance.
Prepare internal audit reports for operating officials and other management or VISN staff when requested.
Perform monthly and year-end accruals for general-ledger accounts needed for proper financial statements.
Review transactions from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and uniformity of appropriation charges and accounting concepts.
Interpret and implement changes to VA handbooks, directives, and other written policies affecting accounting operations.
Establish local procedures that ensure accounting principles are followed.
Participate in decision-making sessions and advise program managers on regulatory requirements, financial policies, data interpretation, and program improvements.
Provide accounting expertise and fiscal services to subordinates, department and senior management, and VA Central Office financial management.
Maintain, reconcile, and audit general-ledger accounts covering assets, liabilities, income, expenses, cost accounting, and budgeting.
Maintain controls over expenditure accounting and determine whether transactions are properly processed.
Monitor fund balances to ensure resources are available for processing and recommend actions to address shortages.
Analyze reports to ensure they are balanced, valid, and compliant with applicable regulatory manuals and procedures.
Classify erroneous conditions and recommend procedural changes to prevent recurrence.
Perform other directly related duties as assigned.