The incumbent serves as an Accountant under Fiscal Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center - Bronx N.Y.

Duties

1. The Accountant is responsible for the detailed and efficient operation and control of day-to-day fiscal activities at this facility. The incumbent must be experienced in applying professional concepts and methodologies as well as knowledgeable in functional program characteristics and requirements. The VA Accounting system utilizes a computerized double-entry method of recording transactions in accounts, which are maintained on the accrual basis. The system encompasses the full range of asset, liability, income and expense accounts found in the usual commercial system. These accounts are adapted and augmented to meet the special requirements of a government agency. Accounting systems are decentralized in order that accounts may be maintained adjacent to management where data is useful in day-to-day operations; however, systems are centralized in total using automated data processing equipment with feedback data to local management as well as the agency level. The Financial Management System (FMS) provides the classifying, recording and analyzing of data that enables the incumbent to provide management with valuable information such as (1) a basis for financial planning (2) data for evaluating performance, (3) the cost of carrying out responsibilities, and (4) the status of financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the data also enables the safeguarding of public funds and other resources as well as assuring compliance with applicable laws. FMS is also used to process and record obligation and expenditure transactions for major and minor construction projects. The incumbent provides analysis and technical expertise for accounting matters to the chief, accountant, Fiscal Officer, and upper management. The incumbent is responsible for the completion of miscellaneous or special assignments from local management as well as VISN and/or VACO financial management. 2. Provides guidance and assistance to lower graded accountants, accounting interns and technicians in the resolution of complex problems, the interpretation of written guidelines and similar technical matters. 3. Initiates, leads, and/or participates in special studies or reviews of accounting operations and prepares reports, automated systems changes and/or standard operating procedures based on study results. 4. Reviews Command and higher echelon regulations, procedures and policy guidance, audit findings, customer complaints and managerial directives dealing with day-to-day operations to identify new requirements, sources of problems, interfaces with other appropriations/accounting systems and functions susceptible to more economical, efficient and effective operation. Gathers and analyzes data from a variety of sources. Coordinates with specialists in other units of the Comptroller or affected elements of the Command and serviced activities to develop corrective approaches to problem situations. 5. Performs other related duties as assigned. 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. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly of sedentary nature. Some walking, stooping and bending is required. Incumbent may carry files and documents weighing up to 10 pounds. A stress related environment often caused by the many reports, deadlines, monthly, and quarterly requirements. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Accountant/PD55677A, PD55507A, and PD55441A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/05/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Basic Requirements You may qualify based on your experience and education as described below: Bachelors Degree(or higher) in 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.") Note: TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED -OR- 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: Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED); A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; (COPY OF CERTIFICATE REQUIRED) or 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) you have 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND Specialized 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; religions; 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. In addition to basic requirements listed above, applicants must also meet the specialized experience requirement. Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. (Resume(s) must clearly support the duties and experience required for this position. We will not make assumptions regarding experience). GS-07 Specialized Experience: Requires one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's)necessary to perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Knowledge of the concepts and principles of accounting; ensuring the accuracy of accounting transactions; working with checks and balances; and using automated accounting systems. GS-09 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include: planning, establishing and maintaining a commercial-type double entry accounting system covering several appropriations, revolving funds, general post funds, personal funds of patients, research, grants and construction appropriations; serving as the technical accounting advisor to the Accounting Technicians; responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Accounting Section relative to matters of policy, interpretation of regulations and procedures which are considered to be of greater than average difficulty; advising on proper procedures to be followed when procedures have not been disseminated or have to be developed locally to meet station needs; and providing exemplary customer service to internal and external customers. GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Monitoring accounting systems covering operations and expenses for such items as payroll, travel, transportation, supplies, rents, services, inventory, or commercial accounts. Participation in decision-making sessions and advising a number of program managers on regulatory requirements, financial policies, the interpretation of data, and program improvements through analysis of program operations, monthly reports, and special systems edits. Resolving technical problems in executing a computerized, integrated accounting system; monitoring and controlling timely recording, coding, balancing, and scrutinizing for inaccurate accounts; reconciling accounts with manual and computer subsidiary accounts; and performing on-going evaluation of accounting processes to identify measures to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the accounting operations. OR Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. GS-7: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement GS-9: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. GS-11: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify. Combining Education & Experience: If you do not fully meet the length of experience and education described for a specific grade level (e.g. have six months of experience and some coursework but not a degree), the two can be combined to total 100% of the requirement. Click here for more information You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: AccountingAdministration and ManagementAttention to DetailAuditingInternal Controls/Integrity

Education

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 https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Bronx VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx, NY 10468 US
• Name: Kelli Bencic
• Phone: 716-458-6982
• Email: [email protected]