The Accountant is located in Fiscal Service. The incumbent serves as the technical advisor to the Fiscal Officer who is the financial manager for the Medical Center. As the accounting expert, incumbent is responsible for maintaining an integrated system of accounting services that contribute to the effective management and operational control of the Medical Center.

Duties

Duties outlined are at the full performance GS-11. Analyzing, Reporting, Auditing and Accounting Facility activities include: Providing systems analysis, advice, and design regarding Financial Management and Accounting systems used by VA; assisting Medical Center customers with various construction accounting inquiries; reconciling financial reports; taking corrective action on financial system issues or reporting errors; provide training to VA field station staff; and participating in financial system(s) annual close out. As a Financial Management Specialist, the incumbent performs analytical, evaluative and interpretive duties on any accounting matter related to the above functions. The incumbent provides technical expertise to accounting staff, as well as an adviser to higher management throughout the facility. The incumbent will apportion his/her time reviewing existing systems and workflow procedures in order to identify discrepancies or opportunities for system enhancements and analyzing systems requirement and designs of VA's Financial Management and Accounting Systems. The VA Accounting System utilizes a computerized double-entry method of recording transactions in accounts that 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. The majority of the daily workload is completed by the processing of local accounting information using DHCP (Decentralized Hospital Computer Program), IFCAP (Integrated Funds Distribution Control Point Accounting and Procedure), AR (Accounts Receivable), FAP (Fixed Assets Program), CCS (Credit Card System), OLCS (On-line Certification System), FMS at the Austin, Texas VA Data Processing Center, and the upcoming Nationally Implemented Financial and Logistics Integrated Technology Enterprise (FLITE) system. The responsibilities of this position are heavily impacted by the increased level of complexity associated with numerous new initiatives and their varied operating requirements. The incumbent must possess advanced accounting skills and knowledge to extract information from this complex system. All the aforementioned issues and technology have brought about tremendous increases in the duties and responsibilities of the incumbent's position. The job now requires significantly more skills and knowledge of a wide variety of computer software packages and programs, specific accounting formulas and equations used for calculating accruals and allowances, specialized methods of determining equipment types and numerous procedures for processing the several types of appropriated and non-appropriated funds. The incumbent has the knowledge and expertise in all aspects of accounting functions which enables them to address non-routine problems by providing solutions derived from direct application of established accounting principles, theories, concepts and practices. The incumbent is responsible for monitoring reports generated by the FMS to identify and correct any out-of balance conditions that may exist from a variety of sources, such as: (1) the FMS interfaces with AR, CCS, FAP, IFCAP and IPPS; (2) omitted transactions; (3) transactions generated by the Austin Automation Center (AAC); or (4) transactions generated by the Financial Services Center (FSC). The incumbent is responsible for performing account reconciliations, audits and regular reviews to ensure the integrity of the accounting data within the computerized systems. The incumbent is responsible for evaluating the validity of the accounting records and recommending and establishing necessary procedural changes to maintain proper records. The incumbent will lead and provide assistance and guidance to Accounting Technicians, Accountants, Interns, and Students daily for unique or irregular situations and transactions. They are also responsible for coordination of the AR system. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00amt to 4:30pm. Telework: Ad-hoc (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) Position Description Title/PD#: Accountant/PD00665-A, 00666A Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. 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
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Candidates must meet the following Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): In addition to meeting the time in grade requirement, you must meet the following minimum qualification requirements. Degree: 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.(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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED/Supporting Documentation REQUIRED) 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; A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; 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) the applicant has 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. GS-09 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: knowledge of theories, practices, methods, and techniques of accounting and as required, auditing; and organizational or program practices, policies, and functions sufficient to independently plan and conduct a variety of assignments or investigations. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED). OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelors degree. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-09. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. GS-11 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes: must possess professional, comprehensive knowledge of, and skill in applying, principles, theories, practices, methods, and techniques of accounting and auditing, and a knowledge of organizational or program practices, policies, functions, and programs, to independently execute a variety of accounting activities or assignments. Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, policies and regulations pertaining to agency financial activities, i.e., Directives, Handbooks, Comptroller General Decisions, General Accounting Office Guidelines, General Services Administration and Treasury Department Regulations. Must possess an extensive knowledge of fund control point accounting, allotment accounting and double entry general ledger accounting systems which include assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and capital accounts. Must possess the knowledge of the various automated accounting systems (IPPS, FMS, FAP, CCS, AR, and IFCAP) covering operations and expenses including, but not limited to payroll, travel, transportation, supplies, rents and services. Must possess a high degree of knowledge of appropriations, allotments, analysis accounts, cost accounts, general ledger accounts in a variety of funds, and applicable restrictions. Must be knowledgeable of fund and appropriation accounting concepts and procedures. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a masters degree. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, you cannot use the first 60 semester hours that you earned). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11. For example, an applicant who has 9 semester hours of graduate level education (i.e. 50% of graduate education required) and 6 months of creditable specialized experience (i.e. 50% of the required experience) would equal 100% of the required experience for the position A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Financial Systems Internal Contacts Principles of Accounting

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.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Contacts

• Address George H O'Brien Jr VA Medical Center 300 Veterans Boulevard Big Spring, TX 79720 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]