Senior Staff Accountant

Summary

The Division of Administration (DA or Division) directs the innovative internal management of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC or Commission) business, human resources, financial, technological, security, and strategic operational resources.  The Division’s role is to effectively and efficiently ensure the fulfillment of the Commission’s mission through continued success in continuity of operations.

Duties

As a Staff Accountant you will have the responsibility for, ensuring that CFTC meets all financial reporting requirements, is compliant with financial management laws and regulations governing business processes, systems, and practices. Duties may include:

• Preparing financial statements that are in accordance with Federal GAAP for management, the Congress, and the American public.
• Preparing/Reviewing various reports for submission to Treasury/OMB, including, Central Accounting Reporting System (CARS), Governmentwide Treasury Account Symbol Adjusted Trial Balance (GTAS), Payment Integrity Information Act (PIIA), and Data Act.  
• Responsibilities for executing accounting and financial management functions, which include performing financial reporting and oversight of financial operations, drafting accounting policy, position papers and providing guidance and financial advice to the CFTC programs and overseeing and leading other key financial activities.
• Serving as a senior-level subject matter/technical expert for a variety of accounting policies and processes, methods, and practices. 
• Formulating solutions to unusual and complex accounting issues and/or problems. 
• Supporting the annual financial statement audit.
• Researching and recommending solutions for complex accounting issues.
• Formulating, developing and managing accounting and financial management policies, procedures and directives.
• Performing and documenting assessments of internal controls over financial reporting and information technology controls in financial systems in compliance with OMB Circular A-123, Management's Responsibility for Internal Control.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background/Security Investigation
• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to time-in-grade requirements, if applicable

Qualifications

You will be evaluated on the following competencies:

• Financial Systems Integration & Analytical Problem‑Solving - demonstrates advanced knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting practices, and financial operations in complex organizations. Applies technical expertise to develop accurate financial statements, resolve complex accounting issues, ensure reliable reporting, and support sound financial decision‑making.
• Internal Control, Risk Assessment & Audit Coordination - interprets and applies laws, regulations, policies, and operational requirements from diverse oversight bodies. Identifies organizational impacts, recommends policy updates, and ensures compliance across business processes, financial systems, and internal operations—regardless of prior experience in government settings.
• Regulatory Interpretation & Compliance Leadership - leads or contributes to the design, evaluation, and documentation of internal controls over financial and operational processes.
• Financial Management & Accounting Expertise - utilizes and integrates automated financial systems, data tools, and accounting technologies to analyze financial information, improve workflows, identify system or process issues, and develop solutions.

In addition to the competencies, you must also possess one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service.

CT-14 Level: To qualify for the CT-14 level you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS/CT-13 level).  Specialized experience includes but is not limited to:

• Applying expert knowledge of professional accounting principles, practices, and procedures to serve as the technical authority for a federal financial management program.
• Applying accounting theories, concepts, and reporting practices to execute broad and complex financial management assignments.
• Interpreting and applying federal payment and appropriations regulations, including Treasury and GSA requirements, to perform Certifying Officer responsibilities.
• Utilizing automated federal financial systems and related subsidiary systems to certify payments accurately and ensure compliance.

Education

Please refer to the OPM Accounting Series Qualification Standard for the specific Education/Experience requirements for this position.

Basic Requirements:

1. 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

2. 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.To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criterion, see www.ed.gov.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

This is NOT a Bargaining Unit Position. 

Relocation: Relocation expenses will not be paid. 

Time-in-Grade: You must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, if applicable.

Probationary Period: 

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

More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement.

The overall salary range is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade.  A new hire's direct and overall experience are critical factors in determining a salary offer, therefore, it is important that your resume fully reflects all of your work experience. Note that the upper end of each range is typically applicable only to candidates with significant years of work experience and qualifications Please review the CFTC Compensation Program website for additional information.  

The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives. The law prohibits requesting, making, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for non-political positions. This includes recommendations from Members of Congress, Congressional employees, elected state or local officials, and political party officials and any recommendation based on party affiliation.

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.