Supervisory Accountant

Summary

Joining the Secret Service, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Division will allow you to assist with the execution of strong financial stewardship of the agency's resources, provide exceptional service and transparency to our stakeholders, and administer guidance and oversight for financial matters in support of the agency's investigative and protective mission.

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

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Duties

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The selectee will serve as a Supervisory Accountant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Division. Typical work assignments include:

• Directs, plans, and coordinates financial and accounting operations and financial statements, including supporting data analytics for USSS OCFO divisions; interprets government-wide accounting and finance policy and coordinates business rules and requirements for USSS OCFO business areas, including but not limited to budget, accounting, travel, and commercial pay. The incumbent also guides the work of professional and administrative support personnel who are engaged in carrying out various functions in the accounting or financial statements branches.
• Supervises the compilation of financial statements and footnotes and works with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that accounting data properly flows between systems; and provides financial accounting analysis for various accounting functions that include review, reconciliation and correction of errors and the timely reporting of monthly balances and departmental financial reports.
• Manages major programs and projects on a broad scale and guides, counsels, and directs the functional and technical aspects of these programs and projects at a detailed level when required. Conducts independent studies of complex and diversified information, accounting, and/or financial statements. Provides authoritative policy interpretations and key functional recommendations on the overall accounting and financial statements structure. Establishes continuous interactive communication and liaison with all offices generating accounting data, supporting accounting operations, and/or receiving accounting products and services. Provides authoritative technical advice to junior accountants, other accounting professionals, USSS staff, and DHS in resolving the most complex accounting issues.
• Plans, formulates, and develops accounting and financial policies and procedures to enhance the validity, accuracy, and integrity of accounting processes; manages the review of financial reports, financial system records and the general ledger; and implements corrective actions needed to improve financial reporting, establishes an audit trail, and ensures that revenue and accounts receivable are accurately recorded.

Apply for this exciting opportunity to impact the agency's mission by planning, developing, and carrying out vital management and accounting policies, programs, and initiatives that are essential to the Secret Service's financial operations and audit readiness. This Supervisory Accountant position starts at a salary of $143,913, GS-14 step 1 with potential to $187,093, GS-14 step 10.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

• Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page.
• Submit a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.
• Submit a financial disclosure report.
• Subject to a one-year probationary period for supervisors/managers.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, 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.

Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying.

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

A. Successfully completed a degree in accounting. (Note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to provide your transcript will result in an ineligible rating.)

OR

B. Successfully completed a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance or public administration, which included at least 24 semester hours in accounting or auditing. (The 24 semester hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.) (Note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to provide your transcript will result in an ineligible rating.)

OR

C. At least four 4 years of experience in accounting or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training, in addition to meeting one of the following criteria:

1. Completed 24 semester hours of college-level accounting or auditing courses, which can include up to 6 semester hours of business law.
2. Certified through written examination as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.
3. Completed the requirements for a degree that included substantial coursework in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but less than the 24 semester hours required in 'B' above and have successful work experience in accounting, auditing, or a related field such as valuation engineering or financial institution examining that together demonstrate (1) a good knowledge of accounting and underlying fields and (2) a level of experience equivalent to the full performance level of the job being filled. (Note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to provide your transcript will result in an ineligible rating.)

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

You qualify for the GS-14 level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level performing duties such as:

• Serving as a senior accountant and providing guidance to lower-level accounting staff.
• Reviewing and analyzing complex accounting documents, reports, policies, and procedures involving a range of federal appropriations and accounts.
• Reconciling proprietary and budgetary general ledger accounts.
• Validating monthly payroll expenditures and resolving significant accounting issues.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Additional information

DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to View email address on click.appcast.io.

More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade and unit occur.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.

The Secret Service prohibits employees from having visible body markings (including but not limited to tattoos, body art, and branding) on the head, face, neck, hand and fingers (any area below the wrist bone) (exception: a single conservative and unobtrusive tattoo in the form of a ring is authorized on one finger).

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.

Help

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.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

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.