Accountant

Duties Responsible for the day-to-day transactions involved in maintenance of an integrated accounting system and resolution of a variety of complex problems which may arise among the various types of accounting records and operations.
Maintains accounting journals, general ledgers, trial balances, and Statement of Transaction reports associated with Benefit Payment programs.
Responsible for reviewing, extracting, and compiling fiscal data from several source documents and data elements used to update financial records.
Maintains necessary controls to ensure financial data transmitted is accurate, scheduled, and recorded for the accounting records to reflect the financial condition of station funds and appropriations.
Assists internal control processes and activities for the Center and monitors local internal control procedures.
Analyzes VA Benefit program data and accounting systems to identify and implement enhancements and determine how they affect current processes.
Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.
S.
citizen to apply for this job.
Selectees are subject to a background/suitability investigation.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
A probationary period may be required for employees and supervisors.
A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/11/2024.
The Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's)Individual Occupational requirements and/or group qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service can be found: Here Basic Requirements (A) 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.
(The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard.
Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.
").
OR (B) 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.
AND Specialized Experience: To qualify at the GS-09 Grade level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in federal or other service, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Maintaining data within financial data systems; 2) Applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and accounting standards to professional accounting duties; 3) Assisting in preparing and/or auditing financial statements and related reports; 4) Applying laws, regulations and policies when preparing and/or auditing financial statements and reports; AND 5) Compiling and analyzing data for accuracy and compliance with specific accounting requirements.
OR GS-09: Applicants may substitute Graduate Education to qualify for grade GS-9.
Applicants may substitute education for experience with an awarded master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university, or two full years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
This graduate degree or education must be in 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.
OR Applicants may substitute a combination of graduate education and specialized experience to qualify for grade GS-9.
If you have some, but not all, of the graduate education described above AND less than one full year of the specialized experience described above, you may qualify by combining the amount of creditable education and experience that you do have.
Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level, and earned toward a master's degree, may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9.
To calculate, first identify the education you have earned beyond your first year of study as a percentage of a total of two years of study.
Then identify the number of months of specialized experience you have as a percentage of 12 months.
Add the two percentages.
The total must equal at least 100 percent in order to be qualifying.
To qualify at the GS-11 Grade level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in federal or other services, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Developing spreadsheets to track income and expenses; 2) Assisting with preparing cost estimates, budget forecasts and other accounting reports; 3) Interpreting and applying accounting regulations for an organization or business; 4) Preparing accounting procedures or reports for presentations; AND 5) Implementing and monitoring procedures to ensure policy compliance.
OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required at the Grade 11 Level: With3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.
D.
degree or Ph.
D.
or equivalent doctoral degree OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11: To calculate, first identify the percentage of required graduate education you have earned.
Note: When substituting, you cannot use the first two years of Graduate studies (The First 36 Semester hours) that you earned.
Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess.
Add the two percentages.
The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11.
Note: 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).
Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
You will receive credit for all qualifying experience you document, to include volunteer experience.
Education An unofficial or official copy of your transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: 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.
You can verify your education: https://ope.
ed.
gov/accreditation/ 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.
For further information, visit: https://www2.
ed.
gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.
html Additional information This is a Virtual Position.
*Please note employee will be required to report to a VBA Facility, Finance Center (VBAFC) within any of the following locations: San Diego, California Denver, Colorado Washington, District of Columbia Saint Petersburg, Florida Hines, Illinois Detroit, Michigan Work Schedule: Regular office hours, Monday -Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
Alternate work schedules may be available.
Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary.
Work is primarily sedentary but involves use of a government issued laptop.
A degree of manual dexterity and visual acuity is required to utilize these tools.
Occasional standing, bending, walking, and stooping may also be experienced.
Some slight physical effort is required in that incumbent lifts and carries reference books, working papers, and similar items to and from meetings.
A moderate amount of standing and walking is required in getting to and from meeting places away from the worksite.
The incumbent may become fatigued due to reading difficult types of printed and handwritten material over an extended period.
No special physical demands are required.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.
Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
The full performance level of this position is grade GS-11.
VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies.
This position may be authorized for telework.
Telework eligibility may be discussed during the interview process.
Telework is subject to approval by individual supervisors and managers, is considered a privilege not a right, is subject to approval based on performance and other varying factors, and is not guaranteed.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
VA may offer newly-appointed federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.
This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion.
The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.
Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
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.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
In describing your experience, please be clear and specific.
We will not make assumptions regarding your experience.
Applicants who do not fully address in their resumes the specialized experience needed for the position (as described in the job announcement), or who do not possess the education to substitute for it, will not be referred for further consideration.
If you are referred for consideration you will be rated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) based on your application for this position: Accounting Compliance Internal Controls Problem Solving You may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities identified in the announcement; and/or completion of a work sample; and/or an interview.
Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified.
Please follow all instructions carefully.
Errors or omissions may affect your rating or your further consideration for employment.
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.
During our review, if your résumé and application package does not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly.
Your application will be evaluated using the category rating method based on your responses to the assessment questions and the documents you submit.
If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrate a high level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.
Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications requirements.
Note: Candidates eligible for veterans' preference will be placed ahead of other candidates in the appropriate category for which they have been rated.
Additionally, preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent and who meet the minimum qualification requirements will automatically be placed in the best qualified category.
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.
Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Required Documents As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits.
Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee.
You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Required Documents: Resume Resume Your resume may be submitted in any format, however, we strongly recommend using USA Jobs resume builder as it contains all of the information required on Federal resumes.
For qualifications determinations your resume must reflect hours worked per week, the inclusive dates of employment, and the level of your experience.
If your resume does not reflect this information you will not receive credit for the experience.
If you submit more than one copy of your resume, the most recent version will be reviewed.
The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent.
" It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
We would recommend that you not submit more than one version of your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, we will not use it to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered further for the vacancy.
Accepted Documents: Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Supporting documentation if claiming CTAP/ICTAP PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Proof of Marriage Status Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Applicants claiming veterans' preference must also submit: A legible copy of your DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.
) is required.
The member copy 2 or 4 of your DD Form 214 is preferable, as they show the characterization of service.
Copies of DD-214's can be requested: Here Current active duty members must submit a signed statement of service from their commander dated within the last 120 days that reflects their expected discharge date, their release from active duty under honorable conditions, any medals awarded, and the timeframe of their service so that eligibility can be determined.
Veterans and others (Spouse, Parents, Widows/Widowers) claiming 10 point preference must also submit an SF-15 and all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference.
This includes a VA letter supporting your disability claim with the overall percentage listed.
If you are unsure as to whether you qualify for veterans' preference, please consult the U.
S.
Department of Labor's Veterans' Preference Advisor: Here Transcripts If you are basing all or some of your qualifications on education or if a degree is required for the position, a transcript must be included as part of your application package.
An unofficial transcript may be submitted, however, it must reflect the course names, levels, credits earned, grades received, and degree conferred if applicable.
Your transcript (official of unofficial) must reflect the degree conferred date if you are substituting a degree for experience.
A photocopy of your degree is not acceptable in lieu of a transcript.
An official transcript will be required at a later date if you are selected for the position.
Whenever possible it is preferable that you submit copies of official transcripts.
Unofficial transcripts may lack essential information necessary for a full evaluation of your qualifications.
Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must also submit: Here Certification of expected separation, reduction-in-force separation notice, or notice of proposed removal; and your most recent performance evaluation; and an SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from; or Worker's compensation separation (agency certification of inability to place employee and notification of separation or a separation SF-50; or Disability annuity termination (notification from OPM of disability annuity termination and separation SF-50 of the last position held); or Military reserve or National Guard technician special disability retirement annuity under 5 U.
S.
C.
8337(h) or 8456 (certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard bureau and separation SF-50 of the last position held).
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents have been submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
You will not be contacted for additional information.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply To apply for this position, you must complete the Application Preview and submit the documentation specified in the required documents section below.
https://apply.
usastaffing.
gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12327755 The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 03/11/2024 to receive consideration.
1.
To begin, click apply online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account.
Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS résumé and/or other supporting documents and to complete the occupational questionnaire.
2.
Click submit my answers to submit your application package.
Note: It is your responsibility to ensure that your response and any appropriate documentation is submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the application status link, and then select the more information link for this position.
The details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to your application.
Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS accountand click update application in the vacancy announcement.
You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Additional information for your consideration when making application: The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified for this vacancy.
A well-qualified candidate is defined as meeting all of the minimum qualification standards and eligibility requirements as well as possessing skills that clearly exceed the minimum qualifications requirements for this position.
Specifically, a well-qualified candidate will score 90 or above within the assessment portion of this vacancy.
Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility can also be found: Here Notice to Applicants: Itis the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual.
Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.
For assistance in making application Click: Here To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement.
You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Agency contact information HRC-Detroit DEU Phone 313-596-7213 Email HRCDDEU.
VBADET@va.
gov Address VBA Financial Service Center 5000 S 5TH AVE.
Hines, IL 60141 US Next steps After the review is complete, a referral certificate will be issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided).
Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview.
All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account: Here For a more detailed update of your status, click on "more information.
" Information regarding applicant process can be found: Here Fair and Transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent.
Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Reasonable accommodation policy Financial suitability Selective Service New employee probationary period Signature and false statements Privacy Act Social security number request Required Documents Required Documents: Resume Resume Your resume may be submitted in any format, however, we strongly recommend using USA Jobs resume builder as it contains all of the information required on Federal resumes.
For qualifications determinations your resume must reflect hours worked per week, the inclusive dates of employment, and the level of your experience.
If your resume does not reflect this information you will not receive credit for the experience.
If you submit more than one copy of your resume, the most recent version will be reviewed.
The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent.
" It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
We would recommend that you not submit more than one version of your resume.
If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, we will not use it to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered further for the vacancy.
Accepted Documents: Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) Supporting documentation if claiming CTAP/ICTAP PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Proof of Marriage Status Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Applicants claiming veterans' preference must also submit: A legible copy of your DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.
) is required.
The member copy 2 or 4 of your DD Form 214 is preferable, as they show the characterization of service.
Copies of DD-214's can be requested: Here Current active duty members must submit a signed statement of service from their commander dated within the last 120 days that reflects their expected discharge date, their release from active duty under honorable conditions, any medals awarded, and the timeframe of their service so that eligibility can be determined.
Veterans and others (Spouse, Parents, Widows/Widowers) claiming 10 point preference must also submit an SF-15 and all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference.
This includes a VA letter supporting your disability claim with the overall percentage listed.
If you are unsure as to whether you qualify for veterans' preference, please consult the U.
S.
Department of Labor's Veterans' Preference Advisor: Here Transcripts If you are basing all or some of your qualifications on education or if a degree is required for the position, a transcript must be included as part of your application package.
An unofficial transcript may be submitted, however, it must reflect the course names, levels, credits earned, grades received, and degree conferred if applicable.
Your transcript (official of unofficial) must reflect the degree conferred date if you are substituting a degree for experience.
A photocopy of your degree is not acceptable in lieu of a transcript.
An official transcript will be required at a later date if you are selected for the position.
Whenever possible it is preferable that you submit copies of official transcripts.
Unofficial transcripts may lack essential information necessary for a full evaluation of your qualifications.
Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must also submit: Here Certification of expected separation, reduction-in-force separation notice, or notice of proposed removal; and your most recent performance evaluation; and an SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from; or Worker's compensation separation (agency certification of inability to place employee and notification of separation or a separation SF-50; or Disability annuity termination (notification from OPM of disability annuity termination and separation SF-50 of the last position held); or Military reserve or National Guard technician special disability retirement annuity under 5 U.
S.
C.
8337(h) or 8456 (certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard bureau and separation SF-50 of the last position held).
Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all required documents have been submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
You will not be contacted for additional information.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Help This job is open to The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.
Clarification from the agency All U.
S.
Citizens