Accountant

U.S. Coast Guard•Topeka, KS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This GS-0510-12 Accountant position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, PPC Financial Accounting and Reporting Branch, in Topeka, Kansas. The accountant reviews, analyzes, reconciles, and performs quality checks on accounting documents, military personnel and payroll documents, accounts, processes, and functions. The role focuses on complex payroll accounting and financial reporting. It includes examining and reconciling payroll transactions and adjustments; improving payroll and financial accounting processes; applying accounting principles, appropriation law, procedures, and regulatory guidance; designing or refining accounting-system components; preparing complex reports for the Coast Guard, DHS, other federal agencies, and auditors; and conducting peer reviews of accounting staff work papers. The position also develops standard operating procedures and desk guides and documents review findings, recommendations, and follow-up actions. All qualification requirements must be met by the announcement closing date. The position has a positive education requirement and requires specialized experience at the GS-12 level. Transcripts must be submitted with the application when required. The job requires U.S. citizenship, Selective Service registration or exemption, successful completion of a background investigation, and a NACI clearance. A one-year probationary period may be required. Federal salary payments are made by direct deposit.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service.
Must successfully pass a background investigation; the position requires a NACI clearance.
Meet the accounting basic requirement through either an accounting degree or a related degree with 24 semester hours in accounting (up to 6 hours may be business law), or an eligible combination of accounting experience, education, and training.
Alternatively, qualify through at least four years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training providing professional accounting knowledge, together with one of the specified accounting-coursework, certification, or education-and-experience alternatives.
For GS-12, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11 in the federal sector, including professional accounting knowledge and skill related to accounting systems, financial information systems, operating policies, procedures, standards, or internal controls.
Education cannot substitute for experience at this grade level.
Submit required transcripts with the application by the announcement closing date; official transcripts must be provided before appointment if selected.
All qualification requirements must be met by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Examine, analyze, research, and reconcile complex payroll accounting transactions and adjustments, applying relevant law and policy to ensure accurate recording and reporting.
Identify, develop, implement, and monitor improvements to payroll and financial accounting processes and procedures.
Apply accounting principles, appropriation law, procedures, and regulatory guidance to support accurate financial reporting and payments to and on behalf of military members.
Design or refine components of a complex accounting system to meet local and changing needs or conditions.
Prepare complex financial reports and information for the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, other federal agencies, and audit organizations.
Develop clear standard operating procedures and desk guides for payroll and financial accounting.
Perform peer reviews of accounting staff work papers and document findings, recommendations, and follow-up actions in official correspondence and memorandums.