Accountant

Summary

As an Accountant, you will provide advice and assistance to management and the Accounting Officer to interpret accounting data for problem-solving and decision-making. The incumbent is responsible for the phases of financial analysis and review, interpretation, and implementation of procedures insuring the integrity of Southeastern financial data and reporting.
***This is NOT a remote position. You will have to physically report to Elberton, GA.***

Duties

As an Accountant, you will:

• Perform complex SEPA accounting program operations that include, but are not limited to, accounts receivable, fund distribution, obligations, payments, credit reform accounting, financial reporting, etc.;
• Work with contractors to prepare financial reporting, and analyze and reconcile contractor data;
• Apply industry best practices and existing accounting and financial policies to problems identified in day-to-day operations;
• Recommend and implement the best approach to solving problems by giving consideration to the impact upon the many DOE offices which may be affected;
• Recommend financial and accounting policies, principles and procedures for the organization or program supported, as well as revise existing guidance;
• Develop and support DOE's financial risk management framework, and DOE internal control program, financial management oversight, risk analysis, corporate reviews and analyses, management controls, accountability reporting, audit resolution and follow-up, and related issues;
• Develop and monitor accounting systems elements and internal controls, identifying problem areas and developing solutions to improve operating program or overall Department accounting and financial management effectiveness;
• Analyze and reconcile a wide variety of integrated accounts;
• Conduct special projects to perform in-depth analysis of complex accounting data and interpret that data/information to ensure that information accurately reflects the financial condition of the assigned organization;
• Gather data requests, as appropriate, for auditors and interacts with them to arrive at agreed upon audit solutions;
• Track and resolve audit findings and works with others to prevent audit findings from reoccurring in future audits.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.
• In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
• You may be required to complete a financial disclosure (OGE-450).

• Security clearance and associated requirements - Moderate risk.

Qualifications

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0500/accounting-series-0510/
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirement AND Specialized Experience/Education requirements as noted below.
BASIC REQUIREMENT:
A. Degree: Bachelor's or higher 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 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit of business law. (The term "accounting" means accounting and/or auditing for this occupational series. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor".)
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: At least four years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge with a background that also includes one of the following:

1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours in business law;
2. Certificate as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), obtained through written examination; or
3. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester hour requirement of Paragraph A above, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering of financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in Paragraph A above; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement above, applicants must also meet the appropriate Minimum Qualifications requirement below for the grade level(s) to which they are applying.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
To qualify for the Accountant, GS-0510-11 position: Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience must include all of the following:

• Tracking, analyzing, and reporting financial activities; AND
• Recording and reporting obligations and expenditures of appropriated funds.

• Tracking, analyzing, and reporting financial activities;
• Recording and reporting obligations and expenditures of appropriated funds;
• Reviewing and reconciling posted transactions, and resolving related issues.

Time-in-Grade: Current career or career-conditional GS employees of the Federal government, or former career or career-conditional GS employees, who have a break in service of less than one year, are required to meet the time-in-grade restriction of one year of Federal experience at the next lower grade, with few exceptions outlined in 5 CFR 300.603(b). Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current career or career-conditional federal employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. DO NOT email or mail in any of your application documents. Documents will not be accepted outside of the online application system.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Additional information

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• For general information on government-wide Telework polices visit: www.telework.gov.
• Applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) when applying or competing for a job due to a medical condition or to exercise religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
• If selection is made at a lower grade, promotion up to the full performance level may be made without further competition. However, promotion(s) will depend on the performance of the incumbent and are not guaranteed.
• Promotion Potential: The full performance level for this position is GS-12.
• Upon reporting, and annually thereafter, the selectee may be required to file one or more financial statements and/or a procurement integrity certification. These certifications may be subject to public disclosure.
• The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
• This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
• Salary: The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for selected duty location. General Schedule locality pay tables may be found under Salaries & Wages.

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.