Accountant

Summary

Join the Maritime Administration's Office of Financial Policy and Compliance as a strategic accounting leader responsible for improving financial management, strengthening internal controls, and advising senior leadership on initiatives that support sound financial stewardship and organizational performance.

Duties

The Accountant:

• Leads financial management improvement initiatives by evaluating accounting operations, financial reporting, reconciliations, internal controls, and business processes to improve efficiency,
  effectiveness, compliance, and financial accountability.
• Analyzes complex financial, operational, and organizational performance data to identify trends, evaluate risks, and develop recommendations that support executive decision-making and strategic priorities.
• Advises senior leadership on financial management policies, accounting standards, internal controls, and business process improvements to strengthen organizational performance and ensure compliance with applicable requirements.
• Collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders to implement financial management improvements, business transformation initiatives, and corrective actions that enhance financial operations and internal controls.
• Prepares executive briefings, reports, analyses, and policy recommendations that communicate complex financial information and support informed management decisions.

The ideal candidate for this position is a collaborative financial management professional who enjoys solving complex problems, improving business processes, and influencing organizational change. They combine strong accounting expertise with sound judgment, communicate effectively with senior leaders, and develop practical solutions that strengthen financial management, internal controls, compliance, and organizational performance.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
• You must meet specialized experience to qualify.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

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 the 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

• SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service.
• GOVERNMENT TRAVEL CARD: This position involves travel.  A government contractor-issued travel card will be issued and must be retained for official business only.
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A background security investigation is required for all selected individuals. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful completion of the security investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).
• TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
• DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed).

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must (1) meet the Education Requirement for the series, (2) provide a copy of transcripts for verification, AND (3) meet the specialized experience requirements.
To qualify for the GS-14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include:

• Experience leading or supporting financial management, accounting, or business process improvement initiatives by evaluating financial operations, reporting, reconciliations, internal controls, or related processes, and recommending solutions that improve efficiency, effectiveness, compliance, or data integrity.
• Experience interpreting and applying financial management laws, regulations, accounting principles, policies, or internal control requirements (such as OMB Circular A-123, FMFIA, Treasury guidance, GAAP, or comparable standards) to strengthen financial management programs and ensure compliance.
• Experience analyzing financial, operational, or program performance data; preparing reports, briefings, or executive-level recommendations; and communicating findings to support strategic planning, organizational performance, or senior leadership decision-making.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

• Financial Management & Business Process Improvement: Knowledge of accounting principles, financial management concepts, and business process improvement techniques sufficient to evaluate accounting operations, financial reporting, reconciliations, and financial management processes; identify opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, compliance, and data integrity; and develop practical solutions that strengthen financial management programs and support organizational objectives.
• Financial Management Compliance Internal Controls: Knowledge of financial management laws, regulations, accounting standards, policies, and internal control principles sufficient to interpret and apply financial management requirements; evaluate compliance with applicable guidance; identify financial management risks or control weaknesses; and develop recommendations that strengthen accountability, internal controls, and organizational compliance.
  Financial Analysis, Performance Management & Executive Advising: Skill in analyzing financial, operational, and program performance information to identify trends, risks, and opportunities; evaluating the impact of financial management decisions; and preparing reports, executive briefings, and strategic recommendations that support organizational performance, business transformation, and senior leadership decision-making.

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.
For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link:  https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/employment-faq/federal-hiring/how-do-i-apply-for-federal-jobs/
All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

A. Degree: 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 in business law. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")
OR
B. 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. The applicant's background must also include 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 of business law;
2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a 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, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or 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; 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.

TRANSCRIPTS are REQUIRED as there is a stated education requirement for the series. The transcripts need not be official, but must show that you meet the stated education requirements, including specific major or class requirements. 

Additional information

CURRENT OR FORMER FEDERAL APPLICANTS: You must submit SF-50(s) that verify your highest competitive grade, full performance level, and eligibility as a federal applicant.  For proof of TIME-IN-GRADE you must submit SF-50 documentation that validates you meet the 52-week sequential time-in-grade requirement for the highest grade level you wish to be considered for. DO NOT submit an award SF-50 as these often do not verify grade or eligibility. For consideration for a promotion, Box 4 of the SF-50 much show a date that is at least 52 weeks prior to the job announcement closing date.  Pay adjustment raise SF-50s for the current year will not support the 52 weeks' time-in-grade requirements.  https://usajobshelp.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To ensure your application passes HR validation, you are highly encouraged to combine and upload the following documents into a single PDF:

• The Grade Entry Form: The SF-50 showing when you were originally appointed or promoted into your qualifying grade level (establishing the start of your 52-week timeline).
• The Checkpoint Form: A subsequent SF-50 (such as a Within-Grade Increase, promotion, or award) dated at least 52 weeks later.
• Most Recent Form: Your most recent SF-50 showing your current pay plan, series, grade, and step.

Warning on Incomplete Documentation: Submitting only an annual general pay adjustment SF-50 or an award SF-50 by itself is insufficient, as these individual documents do not track or prove your original entry date into that grade. If your documentation fails to conclusively prove a full 52-week history at the next lower grade, you will be rated Ineligible for that tier.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations 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 the Department of Transportation by email at, FairChanceAct@dot.gov. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

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.

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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.