Accounting Process Analyst (PAAIII)

Consultant Position in Department of State, Charleston, SC

If you answered yes to most of these, keep reading on.

All contractors supporting this Department must be able to either possess or pass Moderate Risk Public Trust (MRPT) investigation, or obtain a Secret Security Clearance. Important note to consider: A Secret Clearance will open a lot of other doors for your career in the Government to include possibilities of being hired directly.

You Must Meet these Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, information systems is preferred with 4+ years of practical experience, or a combination of education and work experience as described below.
  • 2 year degree, plus 6+ years of accounting, auditing, financial analysis, process improvement, root cause analysis, requirements gathering, internal control development, and change management; or
  • 8+ years of accounting, auditing, financial analysis, process improvement, root cause analysis, requirements gathering, internal control development, and change management.
• Experience managing financial systems independently.
• Intermediate level MS Excel user with ability to create pivot tables, perform V-lookups, import and manipulate large data sets, and create and maintain formulas.

We are also Looking for:

• A Master's degree and/or CPA certification or Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated proficiency using the MS Suite of products (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, Forms, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Access, etc.)
• Federal financial/budgetary experience (non-federal accounting experience performing General Ledger research/reconciliations, preparing journal vouchers, auditing, producing financial reports and statements.)
• Experience in process mapping; requirements gathering; performing root cause analysis; auditing financial transactions and facilitating training is highly preferred.
• Any certifications in or as: CFE, CIA, Lean Six Sigma, Change Management, Agile Scrum Master are highly preferred.

Our most Successful Employees in this Position Demonstrate:

• Life-long curiosity; a strong desire to learn and understand the world around you; asks questions rather than filling in gaps with unverified assumptions; a desire to make meaningful and lasting changes that are customer-oriented, efficient, and effective.
• Experience working autonomously; Also, works well with others in a team-oriented environment.
• Big picture approach with ability to delve into the details.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with a solid ethical compass.
• Ability to build and nurture strong professional networks.
• Understanding of software development lifecycle.
• Ability to rapidly learn and communicate functional and technical aspects of various financial systems.
• Experience in or ability and desire to learn to review design documents, provide operational impact analysis, prepare test plans, and perform User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

Day-to-day Job Responsibilities include:

The employee will provide business analysis support to The Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS), Department of State (DoS), Charleston, SC for Accounting Operations. The Office of Post Allotment Accounting provides financial transaction support and guidance to overseas Embassies and satellite locations.

• Provide comprehensive post-level accounting and financial management support for assigned overseas missions and bureaus, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timely resolution of accounting transactions and financial discrepancies within Department financial systems.
• Perform detailed analysis, monitoring, reconciliation, and resolution of complex financial transactions and recurring accounting conditions, including but not limited to travel vouchers, journal vouchers, undisbursed balances, travel and salary advances, negative budget conditions, abnormal expenditures, 477 reports, and unliquidated obligations (ULOs).
• Execute weekly, monthly, quarterly, year-end, and ad-hoc financial reviews in accordance with established Quality Work Instructions (QWIs), internal controls, regulatory guidance, and operational deadlines.
• Research and analyze accounting discrepancies, identify root causes, assess financial impact, and coordinate corrective actions with overseas posts, regional bureaus, financial management officers, and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and data accuracy.
• Serve as the primary and/or backup analyst for multiple overseas posts and financial portfolios, ensuring continuity of operations, timely customer support, and uninterrupted mission-critical financial processing.
• Review, reconcile, and validate budget execution data and system-generated financial queries; prepare analytical spreadsheets and reports; and coordinate corrective actions with overseas posts and bureaus to maintain accurate accounting records within RFMS and related financial systems.
• Support centralized funding and accounting operations by monitoring funding rejections, researching transaction failures, coordinating corrective actions, validating funding availability, and maintaining accurate supporting documentation and audit trails.
• Collaborate and serve as a liaison with internal and external stakeholders, including regional bureaus, CDC, ITA, FAS, and other Department partners, to resolve accounting, reconciliation, funding, and operational issues impacting overseas financial operations.
• Conduct financial data cleanup and validation activities by reviewing system-generated exception reports and queries, analyzing transactional trends, identifying systemic issues, and coordinating corrective actions to improve financial data integrity and operational efficiency.
• Maintain and organize financial records, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and correspondence in accordance with Quality Management System (QMS) standards, records management requirements, and audit readiness initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying operational inefficiencies, recommending process enhancements, assisting with root cause analysis, and supporting implementation of corrective actions designed to improve accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Assist with analysis and testing activities related to financial systems, accounting processes, reporting enhancements, and business process improvements, including participation in reviews, testing, validation activities, and operational impact assessments as assigned.
• Support the monitoring, documentation, and maintenance of Quality Management System (QMS) processes, including Quality Work Instructions (QWIs), reference materials, process documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with audit-related activities, responses to financial inquiries, data validation efforts, and corrective action initiatives associated with internal reviews, independent audits, and Department compliance requirements.
• Create, update, and maintain reports, reference materials, training documentation, and procedural guidance; provide knowledge sharing and operational support to peers, customers, and stakeholders as needed.
• Provide responsive customer support and technical guidance to overseas posts and stakeholders regarding financial transactions, accounting procedures, funding issues, reconciliation requirements, and Department financial systems.
• Overseas and/or domestic travel may be required to provide consultation services, operational support, training, or participation in conferences, meetings, and other mission-related activities.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 8-hour shift scheduled between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

• Work schedules include a non-compensated 30, 45, or 60 minute meal period, based on operational needs and supervisory approval.

• Employees are expected to adhere to their approved schedule to support office coverage and accurate timekeeping.

• Additional hours may be required with Assistant Program Manager and DoS approval.

• 100% on-site position.

Software Systems Utilized:

• Regional Financial Management System (Accounting and Finance System)

• Regional Financial Management System/C (Cashiering System)

• Regional Financial Management System/D (Disbursing System)

• Global Business Intelligence (Business Intelligence reporting system)

• Real Property Application (Leases and Real Property)

• Integrated Logistic Management System (Procurement System)

• Microsoft Suite (Productivity)

• GeT E2 (Travel System)