US Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration Chief Accountant

Chief Accountant - listed August 5, 2026 Firm/Company US Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration Washington, DC Job Description Open 08/03/2026 to 08/17/2026 Duties Serve as principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary and other EBSA executives on accounting and auditing issues, and act as the primary liaison with outside accounting organizations such as AICPA and FASB, as well as other federal and state agencies including the OIG, GAO, and state boards of accountancy. Provide executive-level management of two major program components, the Division of Accounting Services and the Division of Reporting and Compliance, ensuring effective implementation of policies, efficient work procedures, and coordination across the office. Direct substantive reviews of independent accountants' opinions submitted with ERISA annual financial reports (Form 5500 series), administer a quality control program for audit work performed by independent public accountants, and oversee a reporting compliance program that includes rejecting deficient filings and assessing civil penalties under ERISA Section 502(c)(2). Formulate and present specific program plans, such as the FERSA strategic compliance audit plan, to administer the provisions of law governing fiduciary conduct for the Thrift Savings Plan. Direct a staff of auditors and reporting compliance specialists, determining staffing and resource allocation, defining budget requirements, and selecting or approving office personnel. Coordinate inter-office and inter-agency studies, policy proposals, and task forces, and personally respond to inquiries from Congress, special interest groups, and employee benefit plan industry representatives. Conditions of employment Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. citizen. Must meet Executive Core Qualifications. Must complete one year SES probationary period if not previously covered. Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency. Appointment to this position may require a background investigation. You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal. If selected, the candidate must receive approval from OPM's Qualifications Review Board in order to be appointed to the SES. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so. May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on. Candidates must possess technical and management experience and have developed the knowledge and skills required for effective performance of the specific duties of the position. Candidates must have had experience at a major management level (normally equivalent to the GS-15 level in the federal service).Applicants must meet all legal and regulatory requirements. Reference the "Required Documents" section for additional requirements. Qualifications 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. Candidates will be hired based on merit and competence. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes must use a font size no smaller than 10-point, and margins no smaller than one inch. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position. There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs). TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1: Employee Benefit Plan Accounting, Auditing, and Reporting Compliance Demonstrated executive-level knowledge of accounting and auditing principles, standards, and practices as they apply to employee benefit plans, including experience overseeing or evaluating financial reporting, audit quality, accountant workpapers, and compliance with reporting and disclosure requirements under ERISA and related laws. This includes the ability to identify deficiencies, develop corrective strategies, assess civil penalty implications, and provide authoritative technical guidance on complex accounting and audit matters. TQ 2: Executive Leadership in ERISA/FERSA Program Oversight and Policy Implementation Demonstrated experience leading, directing, or advising on major regulatory, compliance, or oversight programs involving ERISA, FERSA, the Thrift Savings Plan, or comparable employee benefit programs. This includes experience developing strategic program plans, implementing policies and procedures, managing multidisciplinary staff and resources, coordinating with Federal agencies and external stakeholders, and advising senior officials on complex accounting, fiduciary, reporting, and compliance issues. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs: ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. Education Basic Education Requirements for the 510 series: Degree: Bachelor in accounting; or a Bachelor 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 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 (not including business law), 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; and (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. If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. #J-18808-Ljbffr Alaska Society of CPAs