Finance and Budget Technician (Remote)

Job Description

Job Description

Finance and Budget Technician (Remote) ID: ARS-NEA-053 Location: Geneva Program: ARS
Wage/Hr: $29.00 Hours/Week: 30 Minimum Age: 55

For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States.

NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS). These experienced professionals provide administrative, scientific, and technical support to the Agricultural Research Service through the Experienced Worker Program (EWP).

Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an ?at-will? relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee.

PLEASE NOTE: An ?Enrollee? is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An ?Enrollee? is a participant in a grant program established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the agency and administered by NEW Solutions. The enrollee shall not sign federal documents, authorize the use of federal funds, nor initiate or conduct federally funded research projects. The enrollee shall not author articles for publication as a federal employee, nor coordinate scientific research between the Government and private industry. The enrollee shall not present themselves as a Government employee or Government representative at meetings both foreign and domestic or when coordinating federal agencies? areas of research. The enrollee shall not make decisions on federally based research on behalf of Government policy makers, and the enrollee shall not supervise any Government employees.

This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States.

*This position will be open until filled. NOTE: This position has the option to work remotely.

Qualifications:

Minimum of 3 year(s) of experience in Government finance. OR AA Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business management, Mathematics.

• none
• Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access

Duties:

The incumbent supports and maintains both Geneva and Orono?s financial management activities (through various complex systems) which involves numerous accounting codes and subaccounts in the Current Research Information System (CRIS) projects; different sources of funds (appropriated and several non-appropriated); and unusual financial arrangements. The enrollee shall not sign federal documents, authorize the use of federal funds, nor initiate or conduct federally funded research projects. The enrollee shall not author articles for publication as a federal employee, nor coordinate scientific research between the Government and private industry. The enrollee shall not present themselves as a Government employee or Government representative at meetings both foreign and domestic or when coordinating federal agencies? areas of research. The enrollee shall not make decisions on federally based research on behalf of Government policy makers, and the enrollee shall not supervise any Government employees.

• Accounts Maintenance (Salary) Establishes and maintains records, files and related documentation that affect salary costs for all employees. Uses SAMS to track total salary costs, categories and hours worked, salary lapse and offset values for the entire fiscal year. As requested, explains increase/decrease in salary balance available which requires detailed notes in SAMS or maintaining a spreadsheet. Imports salary data into CATS. 35%
• Accounts Maintenance (Non-Salary) Receives and reviews obligating documents such as purchase orders, travel vouchers, utilities, requisitions, and contract documents and reviews for accounting code information, making appropriate corrections where required. Uses various independent systems including Financial Management Modernization Initiative (FMMI), Integrated Acquisition System (IAS), WebTA, etc. As required, requests more information and/or corrections from Timekeepers (salary) and Purchase Cardholders (B2 transfers for credit card charges being reconciled to inappropriate/incorrect accounts, etc.). Inputs data into the automated ARS CRIS Allocation Tracking System (CATS) which differentiates between obligations and commitment, and within obligations, between those recorded in the Agency accounting system and those still ?pending.? Establishes subaccounts in CATS for CRIS research projects within Management Units (MU). Ensures that obligations are recorded by sub-account. Using CATS, adjusts funding/financial plans for terminated and replacement CRIS and MU reorganizations, redirections, or terminations. Verifies that CATS/Salary Management System (SAMS) agrees with FMMI?s Status of Funds General Ledger (SOF-GL) report by using CATS? ?Reconciliation to Official Accounting System? module. 30%
• Ensures obligations in CATS are reconciled to obligations in FMMI monthly by validating, monitoring, controlling, and maintaining accounting records for multiple accounts and subsidiary accounts, researching discrepancies between general ledgers and subsidiary ledgers and ensuring that they are resolved. May need to seek further help in resolving issues. Conducts monthly reconciliations of prior years ?pending? documents (and entries), verifying the completeness and accuracy of the accounting data and taking timely corrective action where required. From FMMI, Spending Detail Reports (SDR) are used in CATS reconciliation. This reconciliation encompasses numerous accounts and various types of non-routine obligations. Ensures the CATS records properly reflect the official obligation balances reflected in the official accounting system. This may require coordinating corrections with timekeeper for incorrect salary accounting or with the purchasing agent and purchase cardholders for incorrect accounting on purchase card transactions. 20%
• Reviews expenditure information for numerous reimbursable agreements, prepares Reimbursable Agreement bills quarterly for the Budget Analyst as appropriate, and ensures billings and collections are realized. As required, initiates closure of the agreement when all obligations, expenses and collections have been realized. Works with the AO in the coordination with MU and Area Administrative Office (AAO) to determine carry-over balances for multi-year agreements. Monitors expiration dates of soft funds and alerts fundholder of any potential issues with spending concerning the soft fund(s) and/or final billing dates for reimbursables. 15%

Other:

• Training will be provided as needed on financial and travel regulations, as well as on software programs used by the Agency.
• Physical requirements: The work is basically sedentary and requires some walking, standing, and carrying light items such as folders, documents, etc. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.