Post Allotment Accounting Financial Analyst

Interested in Applying? I have a few preliminary questions. 

• Do you love being a consultant in your area of expertise?
• Do you love analysis and problem solving?
• Do you love figuring out how to improve business processes?
• Can you create and maintain Spreadsheets?
• Are you looking for a job in the Department of State, located in Charleston, SC?

If you answered yes to most of these, keep reading on.

Why is this Different from other Job Opportunities?

All contractors supporting this Department must be able to either possess or pass Moderate Risk Public Trust (MRPT) investigation, or obtain a Secret Security Clearance. Important note to consider: A Secret Clearance will open a lot of other doors for your career in the Government to include possibilities of being hired directly.

You Must Meet these Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, management, information systems is required with 2+ years of practical experience, or a combination of education and work experience as described below.
  • 2 year degree, plus 4+ years of accounting, auditing, financial analysis, process improvement, root cause analysis, requirements gathering, internal control development, and change management; or
  • 6+ years of accounting, auditing, financial analysis, process improvement, root cause analysis, requirements gathering, internal control development, and change management. 
• Experience managing financial systems independently.
• MS Excel entry level knowledge and experience (i.e. sort, create and maintain simple formulas). 

We are also Looking for:

• Demonstrated proficiency using the MS Suite of products (Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, Forms, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Access, etc.) 
• Federal financial/budgetary experience (non-federal accounting experience performing General Ledger research/reconciliations, preparing journal vouchers, auditing, producing financial reports and statements.) 
• A desire and ability to identify and support continuous improvements using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-relate.)
  • Supports and engages in risk identification and mitigation, internal control development and implementation, root cause analysis, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable corrective actions. 
  • Provides and acts on recommendations regarding applicable system changes and business process improvements. 

Our most Successful Employees in this Position Demonstrate:

• Life-long curiosity; a strong desire to learn and understand the world around you; asks questions rather than filling in gaps with unverified assumptions; a desire to make meaningful and lasting changes that are customer-oriented, efficient, and effective. 
• Experience working autonomously; Also, works well with others in a team-oriented environment.
• Big picture approach with ability to delve into the details.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with a solid ethical compass.
• Ability to build and nurture strong professional networks.
• Understanding of software development lifecycle.

• Ability to rapidly learn and communicate functional and technical aspects of various financial systems.
• Ability to learn to review design documents, provide operational impact analysis, prepare test plans, and perform User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

Day-to-day Job Responsibilities include

The employee will provide business financial analysis support to the Bureau of the Comptroller and Global Financial Services (CGFS), Department of State (DoS), Charleston, SC for Accounting Operations. The Office of Post Allotment Accounting provides financial transaction support and guidance to overseas Embassies and satellite locations. The Financial Business Support Analyst will support a defined operation or function, such as examination of documentation and transactions for technical errors, recommending action to certifying officials, processing transaction exceptions according to prescribed procedures, recording obligations, recording expenditures, preparing source documentation for requisitions for services, or maintaining memorandum records supporting budget formulation and/or execution. Detailed job responsibilities include:

• Provide comprehensive post-level accounting and financial management support for assigned overseas missions and bureaus, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timely resolution of accounting transactions and financial discrepancies within Department financial systems.
• Perform detailed analysis, monitoring, reconciliation, and resolution of complex financial transactions and recurring accounting conditions, including but not limited to travel vouchers, journal vouchers, undisbursed balances, travel and salary advances, negative budget conditions, abnormal expenditures, 477 reports, and unliquidated obligations (ULOs).
• Execute weekly, monthly, quarterly, year-end, and ad-hoc financial reviews in accordance with established Quality Work Instructions (QWIs), internal controls, regulatory guidance, and operational deadlines.
• Research accounting discrepancies, analyze transactional trends and system-generated queries, identify root causes, assess financial impact, and coordinate corrective actions with overseas posts, regional bureaus, and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and data accuracy.
• Serve as the primary and/or backup analyst for multiple overseas posts and financial portfolios, ensuring continuity of operations, timely customer support, and uninterrupted mission-critical financial processing.
• Review, reconcile, and validate budget execution data, funding activity, and accounting records within RFMS and related financial systems; prepare analytical spreadsheets, reports, and supporting documentation to support operational and audit requirements.
• Support centralized funding and accounting operations by monitoring funding rejections, researching transaction failures, validating funding availability, and coordinating corrective actions with appropriate stakeholders.
• Maintain financial records, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and correspondence in accordance with Quality Management System (QMS) standards, records management requirements, and audit readiness initiatives.
• Recommend and support process improvements, workflow enhancements, reporting improvements, and business process modernization efforts designed to improve operational efficiency, strengthen internal controls, reduce financial risk, and support Annual Financial Report (AFR) Notice of Findings and Recommendations (NFR) initiatives.
• Participate in workgroups, testing activities, operational reviews, and implementation efforts related to financial systems, accounting processes, reporting enhancements, and procedural changes.
• Prepare and update training materials, procedural guidance, and reference documentation; provide in-person and virtual training, operational support, and knowledge sharing to peers, customers, and stakeholders.
• Respond promptly and professionally to customer inquiries and requests; communicate and provide guidance regarding U.S. Government, Department of State, and Service Center financial regulations, policies, procedures, system issues, and error resolution activities.
• Communicate professionally, tactfully, and effectively with customers, coworkers, management, and stakeholders regarding operational issues, financial processes, system functionality, procedural guidance, and corrective actions.
• Overseas and/or domestic travel may be required to provide consultation services, operational support, training, or participation in conferences, meetings, and other mission-related activities.

Work Schedule

• Standard 8-hour shift scheduled between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
• Work schedules include a non-compensated 30, 45, or 60 minute meal period, based on operational needs and supervisory approval.
• Employees are expected to adhere to their approved schedule to support office coverage and accurate timekeeping.
• Additional hours may be required with Assistant Program Manager and DoS approval.
• 100% on-site position.

Software Systems Utilized 

• Regional Financial Management System (Accounting and Finance System)
• Regional Financial Management System/C (Cashiering System)  
• Regional Financial Management System/D (Disbursing System)
• Global Business Intelligence (Business Intelligence reporting system)
• Real Property Application (Leases and Real Property)
• Integrated Logistic Management System (Procurement System) 
• Microsoft Suite (Productivity) 
• GeT E2 (Travel System)