Accountant
Defense Finance and Accounting Service ‚Ä¢ Limestone, Maine ‚Ä¢ Full Time ‚Ä¢ $106,437–$106,437 / year
Posted on Thu, Jul 16, 2026
Summary
This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants.
- For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment.
Duties
- Designs, adapts, revises, and evaluates accounting reports, procedures, and operations encompassing multiple financial management/accounting systems and all DoD component activities.
- Analyzes operating procedures to identify areas of potential non-compliance; explains discrepancies; and provides authoritative policy interpretation to ensure modification of existing operations to comply with regulations.
- Reviews/analyzes new legislation and proposed policy changes to determine impact(s) on current operations.
- Interprets financial and manpower data to identify trends, real or potential financial problems, or to forecast funding shortfalls.
- Identifies problem areas and determines actions required to improve operating program effectiveness and/or maintain the integrity of accounting records and financial information.
- Reviews a variety of incoming, outgoing, and summary financial reports to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of financial operations and financial reports submitted operating from operating activities.
- Advises financial and program managers and other accountants on the most difficult accounting situations/problems.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Must be a U.S Citizen.
- This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
- Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959.)
- Suitable for Federal employment.
- Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
- Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification.
- New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
- Moving expenses WILL be paid.
- This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Travel requirement is 1-24%.
- This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
- This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the basic requirements described below:
(2) Candidates may also qualify through a combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.
You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12 for GS-13 grade level) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
Specialized Experience Is Defined As:
- Preparing, analyzing, interpreting and presenting accounting data; operating, maintaining, testing, designing, and modifying accounting systems; using accounting information to recommend solutions to management problems and structuring of organization programs; managing, operating, and analyzing accounting systems in connection with other business activities; designing, implementing, and assessing internal control processes and systems.
You may qualify for consideration if meeting 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-13 Substitution of Education for Experience:
- Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.
**This Job Opportunity Announcement is using an additional online assessment tool to evaluate applicants. Please review the HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, HOW TO APPLY and NEXT STEPS sections below for instructions.
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.
- For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements.
- 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.
- We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.
- Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
- As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.
- We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.
- Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.
- 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.
- Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer. Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.
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.
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.