Chief Accountant

Summary

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employee Benefits Security Administration.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. The Required Documents section of this announcement identifies all documents that must be uploaded in order to be considered a complete application package. Applicants that do not submit a complete application will not receive further consideration.

Duties

• Serve as principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary and other EBSA executives on accounting and auditing issues, and act as the primary liaison with outside accounting organizations such as AICPA and FASB, as well as other federal and state agencies including the OIG, GAO, and state boards of accountancy.
• Provide executive-level management of two major program components, the Division of Accounting Services and the Division of Reporting and Compliance, ensuring effective implementation of policies, efficient work procedures, and coordination across the office.
• Direct substantive reviews of independent accountants' opinions submitted with ERISA annual financial reports (Form 5500 series), administer a quality control program for audit work performed by independent public accountants, and oversee a reporting compliance program that includes rejecting deficient filings and assessing civil penalties under ERISA Section 502(c)(2).
• Formulate and present specific program plans, such as the FERSA strategic compliance audit plan, to administer the provisions of law governing fiduciary conduct for the Thrift Savings Plan.
• Direct a staff of auditors and reporting compliance specialists, determining staffing and resource allocation, defining budget requirements, and selecting or approving office personnel.
• Coordinate inter-office and inter-agency studies, policy proposals, and task forces, and personally respond to inquiries from Congress, special interest groups, and employee benefit plan industry representatives.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must meet Executive Core Qualifications.
• Must complete one year SES probationary period if not previously covered.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
• Appointment to this position may require a background investigation.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• If selected, the candidate must receive approval from OPM's Qualifications Review Board in order to be appointed to the SES.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests
• File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.

Qualifications

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. Candidates will be hired based on merit and competence.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes must use a font size no smaller than 10-point, and margins no smaller than one inch. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

TQ 1: Employee Benefit Plan Accounting, Auditing, and Reporting Compliance
Demonstrated executive-level knowledge of accounting and auditing principles, standards, and practices as they apply to employee benefit plans, including experience overseeing or evaluating financial reporting, audit quality, accountant workpapers, and compliance with reporting and disclosure requirements under ERISA and related laws. This includes the ability to identify deficiencies, develop corrective strategies, assess civil penalty implications, and provide authoritative technical guidance on complex accounting and audit matters.
TQ 2: Executive Leadership in ERISA/FERSA Program Oversight and Policy Implementation
Demonstrated experience leading, directing, or advising on major regulatory, compliance, or oversight programs involving ERISA, FERSA, the Thrift Savings Plan, or comparable employee benefit programs. This includes experience developing strategic program plans, implementing policies and procedures, managing multidisciplinary staff and resources, coordinating with Federal agencies and external stakeholders, and advising senior officials on complex accounting, fiduciary, reporting, and compliance issues.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. There are five ECQs:

• ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.

• ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.

• ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.

• ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.

• ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Education

Basic Education Requirements for the 510 series:

• Degree: Bachelor in accounting; or a Bachelor 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.")

• 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 (not including business law), 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.

If you are qualifying for this position by substituting education or training for experience, submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov)

Additional information

DOL seeks to attract and retain a high-performing workforce in which employee differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the customers we serve. DOL fosters a work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility, and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.
Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm
Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to
Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service: (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx)
OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.
Refer to these links for more information: GENERAL INFORMATION, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION, FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES

As a condition of employment, all personnel must undergo a background investigation for access to DOL facilities, systems, information and/or classified materials before they can enter on duty: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
The Fair Chance Act (FCA) prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOL employee has violated your rights under the FCA, you may file a complaint of the alleged violation following our agency's complaint process Guidelines for Reporting Violations of the Fair Chance Act.
Note: The FCA does not apply to some positions specified under the Act, such as law enforcement or national security positions.
All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to the appointment.
All Department of Labor employees are subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Program under Executive Order 12564 and Public Law 100-71.

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.

Review our 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.