ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN Job at Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Whitehall

Summary Open to United States Citizens Pay for first time hires to the Federal Govt will typically be set at step 1 salary for their respective grade level. This announcement will be used to fill positions at entry grade level of GS-05 with promotion potential at the GS-06, or at the Full Performance Level GS-06. The first cutoff for receipt of applications is December 16, 2024. If you wish to be considered for the first jobs filled from this announcement, please apply by this date. Responsibilities Verifies the accuracy, completeness, and validity of a wide variety of accounting functions/transactions including: obligations; accrued expenditures; disbursements; appropriation refunds; reimbursable orders; earnings and collections. Duties will be developmental in nature when the position is filled below the full performance level. Perform technical accounting work including the maintenance, validation, and reconciliation of accounting records for multiple accounts. Prepares correspondence responding to inquiries of a non-routine nature explaining various aspects of accounting and providing detailed and technical explanations of accounting discrepancies or procedural and reporting requirements. Researches and processes a variety of recurring standard and nonstandard accounting transactions for adequacy, legality, and propriety. Interprets data, identifies related transactions and determines root causes/source of problem identifying trends and workable/corrective solutions. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period. Applicants MUST have related financial experience AND/OR a related financial degree (examples include: Finance, Accounting, Management, Actuarial Science, or related), in addition to meeting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification requirements. Substitution of combination of education and experience must still, in conjunction, minimally satisfy the DHA qualification requirement. One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. GS-05: Specialized experience is defined as: performing financial duties that support the processing of financial/accounting transactions using standardized procedures to include reviewing documents for accuracy and inputting financial/accounting information into an automated system and correcting invalid/incorrect transactions. GS-06: Specialized experience is defined as: knowledge of accounting systems, policies and procedures of the examination, verification and maintenance of accounts and accounting data; Validating, monitoring and maintaining accounting transactions and accounting records; Reconciling subsidiary ledgers to general ledgers for accounts; Researching discrepancies and making adjustments. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Education This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Applicants MUST have related financial experience AND/OR a related financial degree (examples include: Finance, Accounting, Management, Actuarial Science, or related), in addition to meeting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification requirements. Substitution of combination of education and experience must still, in conjunction, minimally satisfy the DHA qualification requirement. GS-05 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Four years of successfully completed education above the high school level may be substituted to meet the specialized experience required when it is directly related to the work of the position being filled for which high school graduation, or the equivalent, is a prerequisite. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. A percentage of the education (which is directly related to the work of the position being filled) and experience which when combined totals 100% of the necessary education and experience to qualify for this position. (Only education that directly relates to the work being filled beyond the first 60 semester hours will count toward the percentage). GS-06 Substitution of Education for Experience: Six months of graduate education may be substituted to meet the specialized experience required when it is directly related to the work of the position being filled. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). Additional Information All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance. Moving expenses will not be paid. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. Telework availability is dependent upon position and will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination. Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA). Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only. A one year probationary or trial period may be required. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date. This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Seldom. This position is covered by a bargaining unit. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance.(See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here) This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 1 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 1 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service. Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at FM Certification The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.