This position is located at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto Division, Fiscal Service, Accounting Section, and reports to the Chief of Accounting. The Accounting Tech is responsible for duties that involve a variety of complex and specialized accounting transactions in support of the Fiscal team mission.

Duties

Communicates with all internal and external customers in a courteous, positive, open, honest, cooperative manner, and treats all with dignity and respect. Responds to all inquiries in person, by email, and telephone in courteous manner and as quickly as the situation dictates. Work knowledge of Teams, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Power point. Coordinate activities with other programs, and effectiveness in interpersonal relationships. Analyze and clas­sifies of funding data and codes and enters the data into the proper interfaced payment systems. Manages and processes accounting documents for both international and conus TOY (temporary duty) travel authority and accounting documents concerning entitlement to travel expenses for VA PAHCS. Process documents until all actions are accom­plished for their resolution and reimbursements paid through the Financial Management System (FMS). Determines and proves accuracy of adjustment to clear and close for payment finalization as well accounting appropriations and document numbers. Issues collection letters on outstanding travel advances and over-disbursed settlements. Review and compares outstanding debt suspense listings to information on hand and accounting records for clearance of collected items and action to take on uncollected items. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: M-F (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#: Accounting Technician(OA)/PD01059A and PD01060A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/22/2023. 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-06 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. 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. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: GS-06 Qualifications Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of an extensive body of accounting procedures and techniques related to travel in order to analyze and examine accounting data for accurate reporting of costs, to post entries, and to reconcile accounts as well as understand and work with a total accounting system covering operations which involve a number of different programs and thus generates a variety of transactions. Ability to communicate effectively with accounting personnel in other areas to explain and resolve discrepancies and differences reimbursements. GS-07 Qualifications Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of accounting relationships with in the Federal traveler system, US Bank and Financial Management System (FMS) which involves making frequent and varied adjustments to the expense reports. Knowledge of all aspects of the government travel charge card program, travel, and allowable expenses and all related policies for granting the appropriate levels of access to the Federal traveler web-based program. Knowledge of agency regulations, travel policies, automated systems, financial management regulations, and procedures in maintaining the accounting systems in sufficient depth to be able to recommend changes. Preferred Experience: Experienced with providing top customer service and assisting over the phone or TEAMS to guide or provide instructions. Prior experience in travel agencies, airline ticketing, cashiering, or banking (teller) may be helpful. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: AccountingArithmetic/Mathematical ReasoningAttention to DetailCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Financial Systems 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. 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. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with some carrying of computer reports, boxes, and files. In addition there is a high level of stress due to demanding deadlines and the need for a high degree of accuracy. as well as, the continuous need for multi-tasking. Work Environment: The work is performed in a safe and well-lit office environment, centrally located for accessibility by employees and patients. 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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Brenda Villalta
• Phone: (713)677-3699
• Email: [email protected]