A USAHIRE ASSESSMENT is required as part of your application (see How To Apply). This is a mid-level developmental position leading to the GS-12 full performance level. Trainees perform a variety of functions in support of SSA's financial accounting systems. The hiring office will conduct an initial formal training program for new hires. See RESPONSIBILITIES for information about the duties of an Accountant. See QUALIFICATIONS for information about qualifying for this position.

Duties

Assists with accounting studies, integrative analysis and development of accounting business processes. May work in any segment of accounting, including benefit accounting and systems analysis, finance, financial administrative systems, financial policy and integrity, payment and recovery policy and travel and administrative payment services. AT THE FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL: Serves as an accountant with responsibilities in performing a variety of accounting functions in assigned areas. Responsible for accounting studies, integrative analysis and development of accounting business processes. May perform work in benefit accounting and systems analysis, finance, financial administrative systems, financial policy and integrity, payment and recovery policy and travel and administrative payment services. Contributes in sensitive or confidential meetings, inter-component and/or inter-agency workgroups related to accounting operations. Develops recommendations and advice on sensitive or confidential accounting matters that will impact the interpretation or development of accounting policies and programs. Develops, issues and maintains appropriate policies and procedures. Researches and interprets accounting directives, circulars, legislation, regulations and policies to apply to accounting operations and reporting. Participates in major accounting projects and initiatives. Develops and reviews sensitive or confidential accounting reports and documents. Analyzes accounting data for accuracy and identification of trends and variances. Conducts special studies and analytical assignments to analyze, evaluate, monitor and improve accounting operations. Researches and applies a range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to identify, analyze and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work processes. Reviews accounting systems (including sensitive or confidential accounting systems) to ensure accuracy and correctness, as well as conformance with requirements and adherence to accounting policies and procedures. Supports the development, maintenance and enhancement of new and existing accounting systems. Manages access to accounting systems owned by external agencies or contractors. Prepares sensitive or confidential decision memos, background papers, presentation materials, emails and other relevant forms of correspondence for use in accounting operations. Coordinates sensitive accounting matters across agency components and with internal and external stakeholders. Coordinates and participates in audits and/or related internal control activities to ensure the agency is in compliance with prevailing laws, regulations, guidance and other matters.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required. Selective Service Registration, if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• Fingerprinting and background and/or security investigation may be required. Job offers are contingent on fingerprinting and background / security investigation results.
• You must complete and pass the USAHire Assessment as part of the application process (See How To Apply).
• See QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED, REQUIRED DOCUMENTS and HOW TO APPLY for more information about this position.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS To qualify for this GS-09 Accountant position you must demonstrate: (1) a passing score on the USAHire Assessment (see How To Apply) AND (2) the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for the federal 0510 series AND (3) at least 52 weeks of Specialized Experience -- OR -- (4) Optional Education (separate from the education required for the IOR) -- OR -- (5) Combination of Specialized Experience and Optional Education (1) USAHIRE ASSESSMENT - Look for a notification pertaining to the USAHire Assessment after you submit your initial application -- see HOW TO APPLY section for more information. (2) INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT (IOR) A. A bachelor's or higher degree in Accounting. B. A bachelor's or higher degree in a related field (such as business administration, finance or public administration) which includes or is supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting (with no more than 6 semester hours in business law). (Highlight the 24 semester hours in accounting or auditing courses.) C. At least 4 years of experience in accounting (or an equivalent combination of experience, college education and training that provided professional accounting knowledge) which includes: (1) 24 semester hours in accounting or auditing (with no more than 6 semester hours in business law) OR (2) a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor certificate (obtained through written examination) OR (3) a degree that includes at least 15 semester hours in accounting or auditing courses. To claim this: (a) you must have successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing or a related field; (b) two professional accountants must certify that you have demonstrated knowledge of accounting and related fields equal to successful completion of a 4-year course of study as described above; AND (c) your education, training and experience must fully meet the specified requirements. If you choose C, your resume must describe your 4+ years of full performance level experience in detail. Applicants who don't meet the requirements of this IOR will be ineligible. (3) SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE must have been gainedin a federal position at or above GS-07 OR (if your position/experience is in another federal pay scale OR outside of federal service) by performing duties at a level equivalent to GS-07. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is work that primarily consists of applying accounting principles, practices and theories to support the financial activities of an organization by: A. using automated systems to input and maintain financial data B. reviewing financial obligations and accounting data for conformance to established policies C. correcting or updating financial reports and/or financial statements D. monitoring financial transactions to identify errors or trends and E. performing accounting analysis or reconciliations to validate the integrity of data If you have this experience, you must describe, in your own words, the duties you perform that pertain to the requirements for this position. Since Specialized Experience also has a time component, it must be evident that the duties you describe are at the required level for at least 52 weeks. Reviewers cannot assume you perform duties you don't describe. An affirmative response to the online questionnaire is not sufficient to demonstrate experience. SEE RESUME REQUIREMENTS UNDER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. (4) OPTIONAL EDUCATION: Applicants without Specialized Experience can meet Minimum Qualifications with: A. a master's degree -- OR -- B. at least 2 academic years or graduate education leading to a master's degree. Graduate education must be in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related competencies necessary to satisfy the minimum qualifications and perform the duties of the position and must be separate from the degree used to meet the IOR. (5) COMBINATION: Applicants without the full amount of Specialized Experience or the full amount of Optional Education can meet Minimum Qualifications with a portion of each that can be combined to meet the full requirement: A. Except for the 52-week requirement, Specialized Experience must be as described above. B. Only graduate education beyond the first academic year can be considered. HR will determine if the combination of experience and graduate education is sufficient to meet Minimum Qualifications. NOTE -- you must submit transcripts to substantiate all claimed education. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (e.g., USAHire Assessment, IOR and Specialized Experience [and/or Optional Education]) must be met by the closing date of this announcement. See EDUCATION and REQUIRED DOCUMENTS for more information on demonstrating your eligibility and qualifications. Information on this job series can be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0500/accounting-series-0510/ NOTES SPECIFIC TO THIS CAREER-LADDER POSITION: The hiring office will conduct an initial formal training program for new hires. This is a mid-level developmental position leading to the GS-12 full performance level. Assignments in this position are developmental in nature. Management devises structured training and development activities to provide experience and technical competence in the methods, procedures, principles and techniques of the full performance level. The supervisor defines objectives, priorities and deadlines, is available for consultation and assists with unusual situations, problems or studies that do not have clear precedents. The incumbent consults with higher graded analysts to identify problems and methods of approach, but is expected to perform standard, routine duties independently. The supervisor evaluates reports and other completed work for technical soundness, appropriateness of conclusions or recommendations, consistency and relevance. During this period of training, management broadens assignments to enable the incumbent to eventually perform all the duties of the next higher grade. Consideration for promotion is at the discretion of management and is based on the existence of higher-level work your ability to perform that work, administrative requirements and current agency and/or organizational restrictions.

Education

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) that must be met and demonstrated by all applicants. (See QUALIFICATIONS above.)

In addition to the education required by the IOR, Optional Education, as described above, can be used in lieu of (or in combination with) Specialized Experience.

For application purposes, you may submit an unofficial transcript but it must show your name, the name of the school, the program in which you were enrolled and the degree earned. If your degree is in a related field, it must show 24 semester hours in accounting (with no more than 6 semester hours in business law). Transcripts that do not show that a degree was conferred cannot be considered to have resulted in a bachelor's degree.

All education claims must be supported with appropriate transcripts.

If you completed your qualifying education in more than one school, you must submit full transcripts for all schools you attended.

TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE LEGIBLE or you may not receive credit for completed courses.

DO NOT SUBMIT A DIPLOMA IN LIEU OF A FULL TRANSCRIPT THAT SHOWS THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.


EDUCATION IN LIEU OF SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
If you claim a master's degree OR 2 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree in lieu of Specialized Experience (and separate from the education you used to meet the IOR), submit transcript(s) to support your claim.


EDUCATION IN COMBINATION WITH SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
You must have successfully completed more than 1 academic year of graduate studies and performed duties that meet Specialized Experience for a portion of the required 52 weeks - you must submit the transcript for your bachelor's degree and the transcript for your graduate education, along with a resume describing your experience. HR will determine if the full requirement is met.

If selected, you may be required to provide your official college transcripts prior to the effective date of your appointment.

HR reviewers will make the final determination on the acceptability of transcripts and the relevance of completed courses.

Foreign Education: If your qualifying education was completed in a foreign college or university, you must also provide, as part of your application, documentation 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 a conventional/accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Contacts

• Address DCBFM - OFPO 6401 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21235 US
• Name: OPE Staffing DCBFM
• Phone: 410-965-1234
• Email: [email protected]