Accountant

Summary

This position is part of the WAPA Headquarters. As an Accountant, you will accomplish a variety of professional accounting work requiring application of accounting theories, concepts, principles, and standards to Western Area Power Administration financial activities.

This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants. See Additional Information section.

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Duties

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As an Accountant, you will:

• Ensures financial reporting is timely and accurately prepared in accordance with accounting principles and regulatory requirements.
• Compiles financial information from various sources, conducts analysis, designs appropriate report formats, and validates results with supervisor.
• Prepares financial analyses using different techniques and methods within established financial models.
• Provides functional management and technical guidance related to the automated accounting system.
• Participates in audit related activities and report preparation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• Starting at the GS-12 grade level: Upon reporting, and annually thereafter, the selectee may be required to file one or more financial disclosure (OGE-450) statements and/or a procurement integrity certification. These certifications may be subject to public disclosure.
• In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
• Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Qualifications

Applicants MUST meet both the Basic Requirement and Specialized Experience as outlined below for each grade level.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:

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 oneof the following:

1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or
3. 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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

• To qualify for the GS-07: Applicants must have either:
  • One (1) year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement -OR-
  • One (1) year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include:
    
    
    • Assisting with preparing financial reports or journaling entries.
• To qualify for the GS-09: Applicants must have either:
  • Two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree -OR-
  • One (1) year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include (2) of the (3) following:
    
    
    • Conducting queries, analyzing, and reconciling account balances, processing corrections if required and incorporating results into financial reporting process assignments.
    • Preparing financial reports and account analysis or journaling entries in ledger.
    • Presenting financial data in graphic, written or oral form.
• To qualify for the GS-11: Applicants must have either:
  • Three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. -OR-
  • One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include (2) of the (3) following:
    
    
    • Resolving and/or providing advice on accounting problems;
    • Prepares, reviews, and/or approves journal entry adjustments;
    • Analyzes financial data to provide accurate financial information.
• To qualify for the GS-12: For the GS-12 level, education cannot be substituted for experience. Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include (2) of the (3) following:
  • Compile data to process and/or prepare financial statements;
  • Performing financial analysis to ensure accuracy or identify issues;
  • Develop and/or implement financial policies or procedures.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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, including volunteer experience.

NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Education

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.

Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.

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.

Additional information

• This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants.
  • Applications received by May 1 , 2026 , will be considered for the first referral.
  • Applications received on/after May 2, 2026, but by June 5, 2026 , will be considered for the second referral.
  • Applications received after June 6, 2026, but by July 17, 2026 , will be considered for the final referral.
• You do need to resubmit your application between referral periods unless your contact information, qualifications, or interest change.
• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE, including Southwestern Power Administration (SWPA). NOTE: Selections made in Tulsa, OK are SWPA ONLY
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit:
• Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a RA for Online Assessments here. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application (outside of USA Hire) or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
• If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.
• The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
• This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual 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. DOE 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.
• Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
• Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.
  • Lakewood, CO: $56,262 - $129,742
  • Folsom, CA: $55,934 - 128,987
  • Remaining locations fall under Rest of US: $50,460 - $116,362

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.

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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.

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.