The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The purpose of this position is to perform duties involved in preparing, analyzing, interpreting and presenting accounting data. This is an intermediate developmental position, which could be used as a career ladder to the target grade of GS-9 and GS-11.

Duties

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-11, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. 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. Major duties: Perform a variety of routine, technical, and occasionally more complex accounting assignments designed to develop greater professional competence, broad familiarization with the accounting system and with the overall objectives concerning the development of a fully qualified accountant. Examining a variety of financial statements for completeness, internal accuracy, and conformance with uniform accounting classifications and other specific accounting requirements. Reconciling reports and financial data with financial reports on file, pointing out inconsistencies or errors. Assembling information and making comparative analyses. Drafting interpretations of accounting requirements, in response to requests. Reviewing accounting documents such as travel orders, requisition, and contracts to determine whether accounts are in conformance with uniform accounting classifications. Developing annual and monthly budgetary schedules for specific cost categories and accounts for the organization. Work schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available 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 ad-hoc telework. Ad-hoc telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Position Description Title/PD#: Accountant TCF/PD210120

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/12/2024. 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. 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. 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 education and/or experience as described below: Individual Occupational Requirement 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 of accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. 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 meet one of the following: Twenty-four (24) 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. AND Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: ensuring proper documentation and entry of accounting data; insuring costing on obligations and payments are reviewed and recorded correctly; knowledge of regulation to ensure accounting systems and data are in compliance with agency requirements; knowledge of generally accepted auditing standards and procedures for conducting financial and compliance, economy and efficiency, and program results audits; analyzing accounting systems to insure integrity of data and compliance of computerized, integrated accounting systems. OR Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one (1) full year of graduate level education (above a bachelor's degree) with a major field of study directly related to the position of accountant, or a related field such as business administration, finance or public administration that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position or superior academic achievement. Transcripts Required OR Combination of Education and Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience as described above to meet the total requirements for this position. Transcripts Required Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Class standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of their graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.): Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computer based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+ or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Preferred experience: This is a Technical Career Field (TCF) trainee position, with a minimum requirement of 24 semester hours of Accounting courses. The preferred candidate would have a bachelor's degree in accounting or a closely related field such as business administration or finance. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: AccountingAnalysis and Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingProblem Solving 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. 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/. Physical Requirements: This work is primarily sedentary. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items such as papers and books.

Education

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center 1 Medical Center Drive Clarksburg, WV 26301 US
• Name: Carrie Trenary
• Phone: 304-268-7780
• Email: [email protected]