Lead Accountant

Summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.

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Duties

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This position is located in the Accounting Division, Office of Financial

Management (OFM), Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, United States

Capitol Police (USCP). OFM consists of the staff from the immediate office of

the Director, Accounting, Budget, Accounts Payable & Travel Reimbursement,

and Financial Systems Divisions. OFM plans and directs the financial activities

of USCP, to include budget development and execution, and all activities

related to financial management and accounting. The purpose of this position is

to serve as the lead accountant responsible for sustaining compliance with

financial management laws and regulations that apply to USCP.

The incumbent develops and maintains an integrated accounting and financial

management system for USCP that includes financial reporting and internal

controls, which complies with applicable accounting principles, standards, and

internal control standards. Provides for complete, reliable, consistent, and

timely information prepared on a uniform basis that is responsive to the

financial information needs of the Department and provides for the integration

of accounting and budgeting information.

Serves as a technical expert, providing technical guidance regarding the

recording and control of obligations, accounts payable, cost accruals, and

disbursements. Independently identifies and implements changes and improvements

to internal controls within the Accounting Division and other USCP entities.

Provides financial guidance to OFM staff and other USCP organizational units to

ensure accurate classification and timely recording of transactions entered

directly into the accounting system or systems that are interfaced with the

accounting system. Ensures that data maintained in subsidiary ledgers is

reconciled with accounting system data on a timely basis.

Serves as a Payment Certifying Officer. Provides final review and certification

of USCP payments in Treasury's Secure Payment System (SPS). Reviews payment for

accuracy and compliance with all legal, regulatory, fiscal appropriations law,

and agency policies prior to disbursement by the U.S. Treasury. Provides

guidance to other payment certifiers, providing authoritative information

regarding payment issues or certification questions.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. citizen.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required.

Must complete a one-year probationary period.

Telework eligible according to agency policy.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the education AND experience requirements described below.

Applicants

must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the CP-11 grade level

(GS-13 equivalent). Specialized experience includes expert knowledge in

recording and controlling obligations, accounts payable, cost accruals and

disbursement. In addition, experience in developing, maintaining and

implementing accounting policy and procedures to ensure USCP compliance with

generally accepted accounting principles that are accurate and consistent with

reporting financial data.

And

This position has a positive education requirement. At the time of application,

you must submit a copy of your academic transcripts or a list of college

courses with credit hours, dates completed and grades received to verify

education. If this information is not provided, your education may not be

appropriately evaluated, and you may lose consideration for this position. A.

Degree: accounting and/or auditing; 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 / auditing. The 24 hours may

include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.

OR

B. Combination of education

and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting / auditing, or an

equivalent combination of accounting / auditing experience, college-level

education and training that provided professional accounting / auditing

knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following:

1. Twenty-four-semesters' hours in accounting or auditing courses of

appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 semester hours of

business law; or 2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified

Internal Auditor that was 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, provided that (a) the applicant

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

have determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of

accounting / auditing and of related and underlying fields that equals in

breadth, depth, currency and level of advancement which is normally associated

with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described above; (c)

except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in

accounting / auditing, the applicant's education, training and experience fully

meet the specified requirements.

All eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

(Information on Qualification & Education is located at the following link:

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. At the time of application, you must submit a copy of your academic transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed and grades received to verify education. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated, and you may lose consideration for this position. A. Degree: accounting and/or auditing; 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 / auditing. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. OR B. Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting / auditing, or an equivalent combination of accounting / auditing experience, college-level education and training that provided professional accounting / auditing knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following: 1. Twenty-four-semesters' hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 semester hours of business law; or 2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Government Financial Manager that was 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, provided that (a) the applicant 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 have determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting / auditing and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency and level of advancement which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described above; (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting / auditing, the applicant's education, training and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

Additional information

Additional Conditions of Employment with the USCP:

As per the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, criminal history information will only be collected following a qualifications review and after a tentative offer of employment has been made. A criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment with the USCP.

Criminal History Check Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years if offered employment. A criminal history check will be performed on applicants who accept an offer of employment.

Credit Check Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans. Applicants must demonstrate a competent financial history. Financial delinquency including collection accounts, liens, repossessions, or garnishments may be a basis for disqualification.

Selective Service Registration Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration.

Fingerprint Check Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of their criminal history record.

Background Investigation Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background investigation. There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests, or convictions, may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process.

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.