This position is located in the Support Services Division (SSD) at a VA Regional Office (RO). The incumbent serves as a Financial Accounts Technician (FAT) under the supervision of the Supervisory Financial Administrative Specialist and performs accounting, civilian payroll, and accounts receivable functions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Duties

Specific duties are as follows: Prepares audits of benefit awards; processing fiscal transactions-including one-time special payments and out of system payments to bring accounts to current status. Communicates with Veterans and their beneficiaries, as well as other governmental agencies, in person, by telephone or through written communication. Processes check tracers for Veterans and their beneficiaries for claims of non-receipt and initiates reclamation action when necessary. Examines expenditure vouchers prior to payment to assure that existing laws and regulations authorize the expenditure and that the amount is in compliance with set schedules. Ensures that vouchers are certified, appropriate documentation is attached, and the computations are mathematically correct having the authority to suspend or disallow payments when the criterion for payment is not met. Reviews and analyzes financial statements from the debtor, information in claims folders, and other correspondence associated with debts and prepares appropriate documents. Acts as a liaison with financial departments to answer overpayment inquiries from Veterans or their beneficiaries. Utilizes the payment information systems to determine interest and monthly payment disbursement. Analyzes all incoming mail to the Finance Section and correctly classifies documents for processing. Maintains and compiles info. for required monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, special, and/or one-time reports, including workload reports. Maintains a system of accounting records for all financial management system transactions within the Regional Office. Posts and maintains manual and computerized ledgers and related subsidiary journals and journalizes corrective actions for erroneous conditions. Prepares all necessary documents for transfer of funds, whether intra-agency or inter-agency, and prepares budgets reports. Researches, interprets, and verifies which appropriation and general ledger accounts to establish for input. Makes necessary payroll adjustments, including leave record adjustments, and input info into Personnel and Accounting systems. As agent cashier, performs research through several computerized programs to ID the benefit payment system where the debt resides to avoid unassociated deposits. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday TELEWORK ELIGIBLE: Yes per Agency guidelines. Virtual: This IS NOT a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Financial Accounts Technician, 37340A, 37341A, 37342A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: The work normally involves mental rather than physical exertion. This is a Bargaining Unit position.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• This is a Bargaining Unit position.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/16/2023. Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). Time-in-Grade Requirements for advancement to positions to GS-05. Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-05. The position to be filled is no more than two grades above your lowest grade held (GS-3) within the preceding 52 weeks under your latest non-temporary competitive appointment. Time-in-Grade Requirements for GS-06 or GS-07. Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50 (you may need to submit more than one), "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). -OR- eligible for a time-in-grade exclusion in accordance with https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/5/300.603 Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below. To qualify for the GS-05 grade level: You must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include: Using payroll, accounting, or financial systems under direct supervision to ensure actions are in compliance with applicable laws or regulations; AND Using payroll systems and actions required to input, correct, and obtain information under supervision. -OR-You have successfully completed 4 years above high school. (You must provide supporting transcripts) -OR- You must have a combination of specialized experience as described and education as described and when combined equal 100% of the total requirement. (You must provide supporting transcripts) To qualify for the GS-06 grade level: You must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include: Using payroll, accounting, or financial systems to ensure actions are in compliance with applicable laws or regulations; AND Providing technical advice to all employees regarding payroll, time, or leave matters. There is no educational substitution for the GS-06 level. To qualify for the GS-07 grade level: You must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience must include: Using payroll, accounting, or financial systems to ensure actions are in compliance with applicable laws or regulations; Auditing and reconciling payroll or financial reports; AND Advising employees on applicable guidelines for pay plans or retirement systems to ensure actions are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. There is no educational substitution for the GS-07 level. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Arithmetic/Mathematical ReasoningCommunicationsFinancial SystemsTechnical Competence NOTE: 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 work in the federal service, include the grade level for the position(s). Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

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. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Veterans Benefits Administration 1800 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 US
• Name: Mid-Atlantic Service Branch
• Email: [email protected]