LEAD ACCOUNTANT

Summary This position is in Finance Office, Business Center - Operations Office, Rural Development (RD), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Responsibilities Responsible for oversight and management of Rural Development fund control operations. Develops policies, methods, and procedures relating to mission area's processes for appropriation accounting activities. Maintains data definitions and supports financial accounting and reporting functions to include design, development, testing, operation, and maintenance of the general ledger/fund control systems. Develops, prepares, and/or maintains automated and manual accounting records, reports, and statement. Serves as a team leader responsible for directing a team; ensuring workload is effectively distributed and monitored in accordance with team priorities. Requirements 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 Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below Time in Grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. For the GS-13 level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience in the accounting field equivalent to at least the next lower grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates the knowledge of accounting theories, concepts, principles, and practices to conduct a variety of assignments related to accounting and financial transactions. Experience in monitoring appropriated and non-appropriated fund resources and activities at the agency level. Experience in managing the financial management information system(s) that support accounting, budgeting, procurement, disbursement, and statistical reporting. Experience in evaluating the effects and interrelationships among program goals and accomplishments and budgetary resources and policies. Experience in composing correspondence or communication on accounting problems and internal controls. Experience providing advice and guidance to others, resolves problems that arise, and recommends solutions for management consideration. Provides advice on projects on a continuing basis, related to financial management, accounting systems and policies, business processes and internal control requirements. Experience directing a team ensuring workload is effectively distributed and monitored in accordance with team priorities; ensuring organization's strategic plans and mission are communicated to the team; coaching the team with problem solving methods. 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 Basic Requirements: Applicants must provide documentation (such as a transcript, CPA certificate, etc.) to show they meet the Basic Requirements, either Alternative A or Alternative B for this position. Failure to provide documentation may result in loss of consideration for this position. Alternative A: Degree in accounting 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 semester hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. OR Alternative B: A combination of education and experience (at least 4 years of experience in accounting or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college level education and training that provided professional accounting knowledge). Under Alternative B, the applicant's background must also include one of the following: (1) 24 semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality (including up to 6 semester hours of business law); (2) A certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or (3) Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing (at least 15 semester hours) provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and related fields that is equivalent to a four-year course of study leading to a degree as describe in Alternative A; and (c) except for literal non-conformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. 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, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report. 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.