Financial Accounts Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Tuscaloosa, AL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as the financial technician for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VRP) under Mental Health Service and is responsible for the accurate accounting for all control points for the program. This position requires a close working relationship with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or designee.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must complete all required steps in the process.
• Must complete an online assessment measuring critical general competencies.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
• Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05.
• An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
• Experience performing financial or accounting support work involving payroll, invoices, claims, obligations, payments, financial records, and account reconciliation.
• Reviewing financial documents for accuracy, authorization, proper accounting classification, and compliance with applicable regulations and procedures.
• Maintaining and reconciling accounting data.
• Resolving financial discrepancies.
• Monitoring funds and processing financial transactions using automated accounting or financial systems.

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

• Performs financial technician duties supporting the Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VRP), including accounting, payroll, billing, payment processing, fund control, and financial recordkeeping activities.
• Processes payroll for veterans participating in the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program and other VRP components by entering, coding, verifying, and maintaining payroll information in an automated payroll system.
• Reviews payroll actions for accuracy, completeness, internal consistency, and compliance with applicable pay regulations, policies, procedures, and compensation requirements, including overtime, holiday, and special pay rates.
• Computes and prepares out-of-system payroll payments and maintains payroll records and related reports to ensure accurate and timely submission.
• Responds to veterans' written and verbal inquiries regarding payroll and payment issues and researches discrepancies to determine appropriate corrective action.
• Examines invoices, claims, and other requests for payment to verify accuracy, adequate supporting documentation, required certifications, regulatory compliance, contract provisions, pricing agreements, and proper authorization.
• Determines the appropriate appropriation and fund control point for expenditures and ensures payments are made only when authorized and sufficient funds are available.
• Coordinates with vendors, receiving personnel, and other appropriate parties to identify, research, and resolve discrepancies involving invoices, payments, obligations, and supporting documentation.
• Performs fiscal support activities involving the processing of receiving and disbursing documents, maintenance of financial data, vendor payment inquiries, and establishment of internal financial controls.
• Monitors available funds and assists in ensuring sufficient funding is available to support day-to-day financial transactions and VRP activities.
• Establishes and maintains veterans' direct deposit accounts with designated financial institutions and ensures related information is processed accurately.
• Examines, verifies, classifies, and maintains financial accounts and accounting data, including determining appropriate general ledger, journal, subsidiary account, debit, and credit entries.
• Reviews purchase orders, contracts, travel orders, bills of lading, and other financial documents to verify authorization, proper appropriation, account coding, and availability of funds.
• Records and maintains obligations against appropriated and non-appropriated funds and Fund Control Points and liquidates obligations upon notification that goods or services have been received.
• Prepares vendor invoices and other fiscal documents for payment and verifies amounts against original obligation documents; researches and follows up on discrepancies with vendors and receiving offices.
• Maintains accounting records and supporting documentation for multiple VRP program components and performs reconciliation and corrective actions when accounting discrepancies or errors are identified.
• Serves as timekeeper for the Vocational Rehabilitation Program and provides backup timekeeping support for Mental Health Service.
• Serves as a point of contact for vendors, VA employees, patients, family members, visitors, and representatives of community, state, and federal agencies to obtain, provide, and clarify financial or program-related information.
• Performs administrative and clerical support functions, including maintaining procedures manuals and memoranda, monitoring changes to applicable policies and regulations, preparing reports, and prioritizing workload to meet established deadlines.
• Provides courteous and timely customer service to veterans, families, visitors, and VA personnel in accordance with VHA customer service standards.
• Protects sensitive financial, patient, and employee information in accordance with the Privacy Act, applicable VA/VHA policies, and information security requirements.
• Maintains knowledge of applicable accounting procedures, financial regulations, VA directives, policies, and automated financial systems and applies established guidelines to resolve routine and nonstandard transactions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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.
• Review our benefits
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed