Student Trainee (Accounting)

Defense Finance and Accounting Service • Indianapolis, IN • Full Time • $17.82–$17.82 / hour

Posted on Sat, Sep 5, 2026

Summary

This position is part of DFAS's Pathways Program, for current students/individuals accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, full or half-time basis as a PAID intern. Applicants who indicate they meet the minimum qualifications will receive an email from assessments@USAHire.opm.gov to complete online assessments. Check your "Spam"/"Junk" folders. See below for more information!

Duties

As an Accounting Student Trainee, you will:
Serve as an Intern in the DFAS Internship Program performing a variety of assignments involving the practical application of financial principles, procedures, processes and regulations.
Receive, review, and verify the validity and completeness of the appropriation, accounting or financial data, including disbursements and collections.
Enter data into financial systems and corrects invalid or incorrect entries.
Verify, balance, and reconcile detailed supporting documentation with listings, automated records, and/or reports.
Assist in the preparation of recurring and special reports.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S Citizen.
This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959).
Suitable for Federal employment.
Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification.
Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time student.
Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Must maintain student eligibility for the duration of internship.
New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

Requirements:

Enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time (Half-time basis is defined by the academic institution that the student is enrolled or accepted into) student into an accredited college or university in a qualifying degree-seeking program, or enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment in a qualifying certificate program;
Qualifying education must be conferred or awarded by the closing date of this announcement.
Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Student Trainee Internship appointment to remain in the Program;
Applicants MUST submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with the online application (see Required Documents for additional details).
Please note that if you are graduating from your current academic program prior to September 2027 you will not be eligible for this student appointment unless you are accepted for enrollment at a qualifying educational institution seeking an ADDITIONAL qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, etc., OR an advanced degree. You MUST submit proof of acceptance along with your current transcripts for consideration.
If selected, must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement; be able to furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and be able to provide verification of academic status (official transcript) at the end of each academic term.

This announcement will be used to fill positions at multiple locations.
The following are preferred degree categories:

Accounting
Business Administration with Accounting Concentration
Masters of Business Administration with Accounting Concentration
Masters of Accountancy

NOTE: The degree does not have to be related to the position/series; however to be eligible, candidate must meet the agency-developed or OPM qualification standards for the position to which the Intern MAY be converted.
In addition, conversion to an Accountant is contingent on meeting the basic education requirement. There are two ways to meet this basic requirement. Completion or expected completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; 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 semester hours of credit in business law. OR A combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting courses, which may include up to 6 semester hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant.
In addition to meeting the above requirement, applicants must meet one of the following minimum qualifications:
A. Two years of successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation, or the equivalent, is a prerequisite may be substituted to meet the general experience required. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

NOTE: If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified".

OR
B. One year of generalized experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required. General experience is defined as: progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.
Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION ELIGIBILITY: Upon successful completion of their academic program and the internship program, interns may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service consistent with agency needs, academic achievement, and demonstrated potential. Conversion potential for this opportunity is up to the {GS-11} full performance level. However, future budgetary events, hiring restrictions, conversion caps, or other events may preclude the conversion or conversion to a position with the full potential performance level. Individuals converted to a position in the competitive service may be subjected to participation in an agency formal development program.

Education

Undergraduate Credit Information: 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is equal to 1 academic year above high school.
For study at a business or technical school, 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.
For study at a business or technical school: 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.
You MUST provide proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information about acceptable documentation: Transcripts and Certifications.
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.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

Additional information

Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
This internship opportunity will not start untilMay2027 or later.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
Individuals selected from this vacancy announcement will work a full-time work schedule for at least eight weeks and up to 16 weeks between the months of Maythrough September. Upon completion of the summer internship period individuals will be placed on leave without pay (LWOP) until completion of their academic program or until they are returned to duty for another period of internship. Based upon organizational need, availability of funding, student availability, and the student's academic schedule, individuals may be returned to duty for short durations during breaks in school (i.e. Fall, Winter, or Spring Break) or part-time employment throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, so long as their work schedule does not interfere with their academic requirements and schedule and they meet reporting requirements.
Individuals selected from this vacancy announcement may be offered the opportunity to work a part-time or full-time work schedule prior to May, if funding is available.
We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
A trial period may be required
This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 1 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 1 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service. Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at FM Certification

PROGRAM COMPLETION AND CONVERSION ELIGIBILITY: Upon successful completion of their academic program and the internship program, interns may be converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service consistent with agency needs, academic achievement, and demonstrated potential. Conversion potential is up to the GS-11 full performance level. However, future budgetary events, hiring restrictions, or other events may preclude the conversion. Individuals converted may be subject to participation in an additional year of training as part of an agency formal development program.

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.

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