ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN

Summary

Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) mission is to lead the Department of Defense (DoD) in finance and accounting by ensuring the delivery of efficient, exceptional quality pay and financial information.

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Duties

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• Researches current accounts, historical data, source documents, etc., to develop and explain detailed information not otherwise readily available.
• Researches accounting data and performs balancing and reconciling of accounts.
• Processes all types of accounting transactions and requests for establishment of additional accounting records.
• Verifies the accuracy, completeness, and validity of a wide variety of accounting functions/transactions including: obligations; accrued expenditures; disbursements; appropriation refunds; reimbursable orders; earnings and collections.
• Assists in implementing and maintaining Internal Control Program requirements to protect against waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Duties will be developmental in nature when the position is filled below the full performance level.

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 Level 1 Financial Management Certification.

Qualifications

This position is being filled under the Direct Hire Authority for Shortage Category and/or Critical Hiring 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..

To Be Hired At The GS-05 Entry Grade Level, Applicants Must Minimally Have:

• One year of generalized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-04 for the GS-05) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

GS-05 Specialized Experience Is Defined As:

• Performing clerical or administrative duties that support the processing of business transactions using standardized procedures.
• (Experience must be clearly expressed in your resume)

To Be Hired At The GS-06 Entry Grade Level, Applicants Must Minimally Have:

• One year of generalized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-05 for the GS-06) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

GS-06 Specialized Experience Is Defined As:

• Performing financial duties that support the processing of financial transactions to include reviewing documents for accuracy or inputting financial information into an automated system or correcting invalid/incorrect transactions.
• (Experience must be clearly expressed in your resume)

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-05 SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:

• Four years of successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation, or the equivalent, is a prerequisite may be substituted to meet the specialized experience required. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

GS-06 Substitution of Education for Experience:

• Six months of graduate education may be substituted to meet the specialized experience required when it is directly related to the work of the position being filled.

If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified".

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

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.

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.

Additional information

• 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 theDirect Hire Authority for Shortage Category and/or Critical Hiring 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.
• Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
• PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
• 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.
• This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Travel requirement is Seldom.
• This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
• 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)
• 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.
• This job announcement is being utilized to fill current and future anticipated vacancies. In some instances, individuals may not start until up to six (6) months from the time they are found favorable from a suitability/security perspective.

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.