Accountant

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Finance • Washington, DC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Office of Management (OM), Office of Finance (OF), under the Office of Financial Policy (OFP), Office of Financial Reporting (OFR) and the Office of Financial Audit (OFA), located at the VA Central Office. The incumbent serves as an Accountant under one of the Service Directors within the Office of Finance. This is a non-bargaining unit position. The initial cut-off number for this job announcement is 100 applications. The first 100 applications will receive first consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off number (100 applications) will not receive consideration unless otherwise requested by management.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including the application, questionnaire, and an online assessment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment effective May 7, 2025.
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Degree: accounting; 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 Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge.
• The applicant's background must also include one of the following: Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law; A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; OR Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of statutes, policies, and regulations that affect financial management activities. Experience in writing financial policy regarding: Appropriations, Funds Control, Federal Budget Process, Accounting, Financial Statement Reporting, Payroll, Travel, and Purchase Cards. Conducts surveys and studies for the purpose of preparing analysis and recommendation on fiscal and assigned accounting problems.
• OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
• OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education that must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.
• A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
• Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.
• If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Nice To Haves

• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Responsibilities

• Formulates, reviews, and recommends financial policies, plans and procedures for assigned accounting matters.
• Coordinates external audit responses to auditor points/questions related to the financial statement audit.
• Participates in the composition of manuals and directives used for accomplishing a financial management program.
• Analyzes and evaluates current and long-range plans for the financial management operations and prepares necessary recommendations.
• Conducts surveys and studies for the purpose of preparing analysis and recommendations on fiscal and assigned accounting problems.
• Ensures work products are accurate, professional, comprehensive, and in the proper format in accordance with templates and procedure guidance.
• Assists in the analysis and solution of difficult and complex technical fiscal procedural matters to assure integration and interface between existing systems.
• Develops financial policy that complies with Federal laws and external guidance.
• Applies accounting knowledge to assure that accounting and reporting results fulfill the needs and requirements of regulatory agencies and Internal management.
• Prepares clear, organized, and responsive written products.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate in clear language that is understandable to the right level of audience.
• Provides and maintains communication to stakeholders during assignments, ensuring management is informed of sensitive matters or problems encountered.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree