The incumbent serves as an Accountant under Fiscal Service for the Department of Veterans Affairs at the New Jersey VA Health Care System- East Orange Campus.

Duties

Works closely with systems personnel on the design of automated systems to facilitate the processing of accounting data to assure the results attained meet all accounting requirements. 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. Reviews the work of Accounting Technicians to assure accuracy and conformity to policy and procedures, instructing them, when necessary, on proper methods and assigns projects to be accomplished. Will be responsible for using and maintaining the VA Accounting system to process daily transactions, and to keep the facilities financial records in order. Utilizes a computerized double-entry method of recording transactions in accounts, which are maintained on the accrual basis Tile 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 V ACO financial management. Plans, coordinates, and performs one-time/recurring comprehensive reviews, special studies and selective internal examinations of finance and accounting functions. Assignments involve verifying reports with source documents and records, reconciling accounts, investigating to determine if transactions are in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations. Applies a professional knowledge of accounting theories, principles, practices, and automated systems. Utilizes a large body of guidelines, regulations, and statutory requirements to identify such accounting problems as: inadequate maintenance of fund control, inaccurate records and reports, and lack of documentary evidence to support the performance of regulatory reconciliations. Reviews report media, directs and/or prepares and analyzes internal and external statements and reports. Examples include Statement of Financial Conditions, Selected Data, Analysis of Costs incurred and Statement of Selected Support Data. Makes day-to-day decisions regarding unusual and complex accounting transactions and is available to consult on solution of management problems and to provide alternatives through sound application of professional knowledge of the accounting system. Analyzes and evaluates current general accounting methods and procedures in terms of adequacy and effectiveness: recommends changes, modifications, and improvements in operating procedures. Assists in designing, developing, and installing accounting forms and adapting same to meet the requirements of special activities and conditions. Advises installation operating officials on the way data should be submitted and aids in devising procedures for the collection of such data. Prepares operating changes when revisions are required. May be required to perform research to determine and certify the availability of funds. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Position Description Title/PD#: Accountant/PD8185-O Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items such as papers and books. 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.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• May serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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. Note: TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED In addition to the Basic Requirements outlined above, applicants must also meet the specialized experience/education requirements listed below: To qualify at the GS-09, applicants must meet the Basic Requirement and one of the requirements below: 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. (Resume(s) must clearly support the duties and experience required for this position. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.)-OR- Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level, you must have successfully completed 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (Transcripts Required) -OR- Combination of Experience and Education: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at both grade levels. You must have a combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and 6 months of specialized experience, as described above, to meet the total requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. (Transcripts Required) To qualify at the GS-11, applicants must meet the Basic Requirement and one of the requirements below: 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. (Resume(s) must clearly support the duties and experience required for this position. We will not make assumptions regarding experience.)-OR- Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level, you must have successfully completed 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (Transcripts Required) -OR- Combination of Experience and Education: A combination of graduate education (as described above) and specialized experience as an Accountant (as described above) may be used to meet total qualification requirements. When combining education with experience, first determine your total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine your experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. (Transcripts Required) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Accounting OperationsAnalytical ReasoningComputer SkillsCost AccountingOral CommunicationPlanning and EvaluatingPrinciples of AccountingWriting 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. 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/.

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.

Contacts

• Address VA New Jersey Health Care System 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018 US
• Name: Kelli Bencic
• Phone: 716-458-6982
• Email: [email protected]