The Accountant is under the general supervision of the Chief of Accounting, Fiscal Service, performing a variety of accounting work that requires the application of accounting principles, theories, concepts and practices. The selected applicant will have the option of a duty location in one of the following 5 locations within VISN 2 (Buffalo, NY; Syracuse, NY; Albany, NY; Bath, NY; Canandaigua, NY) salary will vary based on locality.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-09. At the GS-07 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-09. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher-level work, and availability of funds. Performs the following typical duties: Conducts daily examination of various accounting transaction listings, cost reports, financial statements, project fund balances, and work orders to ascertain accuracy and completeness of data. Reviews and analyzes programs and procedures related to receiving, validating and recording accounting transactions affecting the asset, liability, expense and revenue accounts of supported activities. Evaluates General Ledger account balances; analyzes subsidiary ledgers for accuracy and integrity of data and performs necessary research to reconcile account balances; Directs the assignment of project and cost codes, accounting classification and file maintenance and provides information for transmitting data to appropriate office. Analyzes and reviews ADP maintenance listings and determines what additions, modifications, and deletions to data base are needed. Researches operating finance and accounting data interprets data and furnishes the data to various organizations to be used for guidance in establishing and programming costs and obligations for current and future operations. Performs liaison function between local operating elements and the finance office in such matters by gathering and interpreting pertinent data and deriving solutions day-to-day finance and accounting matters in accordance with accounting principles, policies and objectives of the accounting system; Develops, prepares, and revises regulations, information papers, etc., for project and revolving fund accounting control and reporting instructions. Prepares and implements supplemental accounting procedures, reports, and modifications to existing procedures as required by regulatory guidance and/or work situations; Assists in controlling financial operations by controlling obligations and/or expenditures within limitations established by appropriation, allotment, apportionment work allowance, and purposes authorized by public law; Recognizes significant account variances and assists higher level staff in the proper research and reconciliation of all accounting records. Determines proper work methods and develops work sheets and forms necessary to complete assignments; Manages summary cost accounts verifying validity and accuracy of accounting transactions and data; Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved 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.

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Bachelor's degree or 4 years of education leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in accounting or related field such as business administration, finance or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting (may include up to 6 credit hours 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."). Transcripts required. OR B. 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. This background includes one of the following: 1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses, which can include up to 6 hours of business law; 2. A certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or 3. 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 meet the full 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. In addition to the Basic Education Requirement, applicants must also meet one of the following to qualify at the GS-7 level: Specialized Experience: Must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience utilizing knowledge of accounting practices, methods, and techniques required to perform assignments using procedures and practices that are conventional and apply to most situations encountered; reviewing and processing accounting documents; assisting in maintaining, analyzing, and reconciling general ledgers and subsidiary legers; and assisting in preparing reports. NOTE: Resume(s) must clearly demonstrate the required experience. We will not make assumptions regarding experience. OR Substitution of Graduate Education for Specialized Experience: One (1) full year of graduate education in accounting; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. (Unofficial Transcripts Required) OR Combination of Graduate Education and Specialized Experience: An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above to meet the qualification requirements for this position. (Unofficial Transcripts Required) OR Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level: (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: 1. Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision. 2. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. 3. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study. 4. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION AT THE GS-9 LEVEL YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in Federal service that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of an Accountant GS-9. Specialized experience includes performing general ledger accounting functions; performing reconciliations; creating and analyzing cost reports; and maintains cost ceiling control records. NOTE: Resume(s) must clearly demonstrate the required experience. We will not make assumptions regarding experience. -OR- EDUCATION: Have successfully completed a master's degree or two (2) full years of graduate education (18 semester hours is usually equivalent to one full year of study) at an accredited college or university in courses related to the field of accounting. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. -OR- COMBINATION: Have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education (beyond 18 semester hours) and specialized experience, as described above, which meet the total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses directly related to the work of this position.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Accounting
• Analytical Thinking
• Communication
• Technical Competence

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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.

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; religious; 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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items such as papers and books.

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/.

Contacts

• Address VA Western New York Healthcare System 3495 Bailey Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]