Cost Accountant

Army National Guard Units • Latham, NY

1d

About The Position

This is a National Guard Title 5 excepted service position for a Cost Accountant, Position Description Number T5137P01, in the United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO), National Guard. The role is part of the USPFO Comptroller’s cost management environment under the General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS). The Cost Accountant serves as a financial expert, reviewing and analyzing state fiscal control procedures, identifying the causes of problems and inefficiencies, and taking corrective action. The position also ensures the state-level systems have an established and monitored costing structure.

The incumbent analyzes accounting data, records, and reports to identify past or improperly recorded costs and ensure costs are assigned to the proper cost structure. Using GFEBS, the incumbent informs managers about the costs of functions associated with Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Service Support Programs (SSP), and helps them use funds efficiently in support of their goals. The role also advises management and program staff on accounting and financial management matters, coordinates cost-accounting analysis, and provides information and recommendations to support financial decisions and performance measurement.

This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may require duty in preparation for or response to a state emergency or disaster declaration. A two-year trial period may be required. The position does not meet the criteria for appointment of annuitants.

Requirements

• Meet federal employment suitability requirements as determined by a background investigation.
• Obtain and maintain the position’s appropriate security clearance within one year of appointment.
• Meet the accounting education or experience standard: an accounting degree; a related degree with 24 semester hours in accounting; or 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-credit, certification, or equivalent-coursework pathways.
• Have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level before being eligible for the next grade level.
• Have fundamental working experience and a validated understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the accountant occupational series and grade.
• Meet FM Certification Level 2.
• Provide official transcripts to document education claims.
• Register under the Military Selective Service Act if required for eligibility.
• Be able to travel by car, military or commercial aircraft, or other transportation as appropriate for temporary duty assignments.
• Be available for irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours, including hours outside the normal duty day, when operational requirements or contingencies require them.
• A two-year trial period may be required.
• Participate in mandatory direct deposit.

Nice To Haves

• Eligibility under an applicable DoD Priority Placement Program category: DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible; MR and NG Preference Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement; DoD Retained Grade Employees; or Military Spouse Preference (MSP).

Responsibilities

• Review and analyze procedures used to administer and operate state fiscal control systems.
• Identify the causes of difficulties, problems, and inefficiencies in fiscal control systems and take corrective action.
• Ensure the costing structure is established and monitored in state-level systems.
• Serve as the financial expert for the USPFO Comptroller in a GFEBS cost management environment.
• Analyze, examine, and interpret accounting data, records, and reports to determine past costs and identify improperly recorded costs.
• Reallocate costs to ensure they are recorded in the proper cost structure.
• Use GFEBS to inform managers of the costs of functions associated with Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Service Support Programs (SSP), and assist them in using funds efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Advise and assist management on accounting and financial management matters; analyze information, resolve conflicting data, and formulate recommendations for management decisions.
• Coordinate and integrate analytical activities related to cost accounting and management.
• Provide accounting advice and recommendations to program managers and installation staff.
• Select, organize, and analyze data to evaluate operational effectiveness and efficiency for performance measurement.
• Interpret financial management policy and provide guidance to staff elements.
• Identify, monitor, and report trends and performance measurements to aid financial management decisions.
• Travel for temporary duty assignments as required.
• Support operational requirements, contingencies, or state emergency and disaster response duties as required.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

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