ACCOUNTING TECHNICIAN

Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), National Finance Center (NFC), within Government Employees Services Division (GESD).

Incumbent performs a variety of accounting, financial, and/or payroll related tasks to support the mission and its customers.

This announcement may be used to fill similar/like positions within USDA.

The closing date of this announcement has been modified to 6/12/2026.

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Duties

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• Uses applicable accounting methods, procedures, and techniques to reconcile accounts within established deadlines.
• Analyzes system reports and statements to identify and resolve variances and discrepancies timely.
• Responds both professionally and timely to all agency inquiries.
• Articulates responses to customers professionally, utilizing proper grammar, with clear interpretations or guidance.
• Uses various computer and Microsoft Office programs, i.e. Outlook, Word and Excel to compile data from various sources to prepare reports.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Direct Deposit - Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit
• You will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period unless previous federal service is creditable.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

GS-05 : Have at least one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-04 level in Federal Service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that equipped me with the competencies to successfully perform as a Accounting Technician. Such experience includes: 1) Verifying and advising customer agencies of documentation received using automated personnel and payroll systems; 2) Researching payments in personnel and payroll systems and reports discrepancies to Supervisor; 3) Reviewing applicable Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and/or agency directives and procedures to ensure accuracy of required documentation and to calculate, certify, process, and audit service deposits and retirement adjustments; 4) Receives and reviews accounting documents for proper accounting codes, classification, signature, transaction codes, etc.; 5) Maintains funds control, reimbursement, credits, collection, customer orders, and general ledger by processing day to day accounting documents, such as, orders for records, documents, and general ledger are in agreement; and 6) Compiles selected data from various general ledgers accounts, subsidiary ledgers, listings, and files. NOTE: This experience must be demonstrated on your resume and/or supporting documents.

OR

Four (4) years above high school (Copy of transcripts are required).

OR

Combination of specialized experience and education : Have an equivalent combination of successfully completed specialized experience and education above high school level described above that makes up 100% of the qualifications required for the position. (Copy of transcripts are required.)

Additional qualification information can be found on the following Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website:

General Qualification Standards for Accounting Technician Series 0525

Link:

Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Clerical and Administrative Support Positions

Link:

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Combinations of Education and Specialized Experience

Combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience can be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements, as allowed in the applicable standard. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

The total number of vacancies for this position has been modified from fifteen (15) to eight (8).

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Promotion potential for this position is to the GS-07 level. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.

This is a bargaining unit position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.

During your probationary period, your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as an ICTAP, CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, ICTAP/CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. ICTAP/CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, ICTAP/CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

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.