LEAD ACCOUNTANT

Summary

Who May Apply:

• Open to United States Citizens.
• This is NOT a remote position.

Pay for first time hires to the Federal Govt will typically be set at step 1 salary for their respective grade level.

This announcement will be used to fill positions at entry grade level of GS-12.

To view pay rates in a specific location visit the OPM pay tables at

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Duties

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• Incumbent performs developmental Lead assignments related to coaching, mentoring, and career development of subordinate staff performing work within the Accounting Operations Directorate.
• In conjunction with the supervisor, appointee communicates the organization's mission, vision and values to the team and ensures they are integrated into team goals, objectives, work plans, products, and services.
• Provides professional accounting advice and assistance to supported organizations. Serves as a technical expert regarding operational accounting functions and the application of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
• Responsible, individually and/or as a team leader, for providing analyses and reconciliations related to the more complex accounting functions which have very high visibility.
• Identifies problem areas and determines actions required to improve operating program effectiveness, ensure the propriety of accounting transaction processing, and maintain the integrity of accounting records and financial information.
• Applies a comprehensive knowledge of analysis/reporting requirements, work processes, accounting systems structure, interfaces of data from financial systems to accounting systems, and financial report data to resolve complex, accounting problems.
• Reviews regulatory directives/instructions and takes action and/or makes recommendations, e.g., implements new or revisions to existing system functions, recommends to operating activities accounting reporting policy or procedure changes, etc.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S Citizen.
• Background or Security Investigation - Position Sensitivity and Security Levels may vary and is dependent upon position being filled - see the Additional Information field below for more details.
• Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959.)
• Suitable for Federal employment.
• Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification.
• Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
• New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
• Moving expenses may be paid.
• Travel requirement is Seldom.
• This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
• This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Qualifications

This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period..

Applicants MUST have related financial experience AND/OR a related financial degree (examples include: Finance, Accounting, Management, Actuarial Science, or related), in addition to meeting Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualification requirements. Substitution of combination of education and experience must still, in conjunction, minimally satisfy the DHA qualification requirement.

Human Resources will determine your qualifications for each entry grade level based on your interest and the additional following criteria. Resumes for federal government positions need more detailed work descriptions and accomplishments than a typical private sector resume. Please be sure to clearly describe this in your resume. Combinations of education and experience may also be sufficient.

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below:

Basic Requirements:

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below:

• (1) Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; 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. OR
• (2) Candidates may also qualify through a combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade ( GS-11 for the GS-12) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized Experience Is Defined As Experience:

• Providing professional accounting, finance and reporting services, technical advice, and assistance to supported customers in the application of accounting theories, concepts, principles and standards to independently negotiate solutions related to operational accounting and finance work.

Volunteer Experience:

• 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; religious; spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

GS-12 Substitution of Education for Experience:

• Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level.

This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 2 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service. Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at

Additional information

• All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact View phone number on click.appcast.io for assistance.
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
• Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
• Veteran's Preference: Veteran's preference does not apply under this Direct Hire Authority (DHA).
• This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense via delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Positions may be filled as permanent or term with a full-time or part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location. We reserve the right to close this announcement early or to extend, as appropriate, based upon the needs of the Agency. Qualified application packages may be referred to management at various points in the selection process depending on the number and timing of applications received. Selections may be made at any point during the announcement open period.
• Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
• A one year probationary or trial period may be required.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
• Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance.(See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here)
• This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 1 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 1 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service. Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at FM Certification
• The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
• Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.

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.

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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.