Accountant in Dallas, Texas

Summary This position is located in Rural Development, Business Center, Chief Financial Officer, Office of Compliance. This is a restricted REMOTE position. The incumbent works from a HOME office within commuting distance (50 miles) of selected city. 1 vacancy – Dallas, TX Other Significant Facts: Must be willing to travel overnight (25 to 50 percent) Must be able to operate a motor vehicle and possess a valid driver’s license. Must be willing and able to travel by airplane as necessary. Responsibilities Assists in directing and coordinating studies and analyses to determine whether awardee accounting objectives are being achieved in accordance with approved policies and procedures and generally accepted accounting principles and financing policies. Develops recommendations and justifications for new accounting systems and broad revisions to existing accounting systems. Develops, reviews, and prepares RD staff instructions, policy bulletins, and regulations to communicate and assure uniform accounting and auditing instructions and requirements throughout the Agency and among all awardees and their CPAs. Serves as a consultant to RD committees and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to provide technical advice and assistance on RD accounting policies and procedures. Provides training and/or cross-training within and/or across branches. Some of this training may involve documenting the workflows or processes of various tasks to ensure consistency and efficiency. Drafts instructions and procedures to correct system deficiencies, ensuring that revisions are in accordance with changes established by authoritative sources, and renders advice to agency officials on the effects of accounting system changes. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. In addition to the specialized experience, applicants must meet the Basic Requirements as outlined in the Education section of the job announcement. For the GS-13 level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent. Experience in the accounting field of accounting theories, concepts, principles, and practices to conduct a variety of assignments related to accounting and financial transactions. Experience in analyzing financial information to identify problem areas and to advise managers and other accountants. Experience in determining adequacy and effectiveness of existing accounting systems and procedures in a utilities service program. Experience in planning and executing projects, resolves conflicts, and informs the supervisor of potential controversial findings, issues, or problems with widespread impact. Experience in reviewing audit reports prepared by CPAs and accountants to determine compliance with acceptable accounting principles, practices, and procedures. Experience in resolving technical accounting issues with regulatory agencies and CPAs and assist in the development of proposals that shape and control the direction of an accounting program. Experience in reviewing CPA audit reports to determine if compliance with generally accepted accounting principles; practices and procedures; ensures compliance with the Agency’s auditing requirements. Experience making formal presentations to internal and external organizations, professional societies, and executive management personnel. NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-0510 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education In addition to the specialized experience, applicants must meet the Basic Requirements as outlined below. Applicants must provide documentation (such as a transcript, CPA certificate, etc.) to show they meet the Basic Requirements, either Alternative A or Alternative B for this position. Failure to provide documentation may result in loss of consideration for this position. Alternative A: 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. (The term “accounting” means “accounting and/or auditing” in this standard. Similarly, “accountant” should be interpreted, generally, as “accountant and/or auditor.”) OR Alternative 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. 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. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. To be eligible for appointment to this position, the new hire must be cleared to come on board once the results of the fingerprint check, review of the OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and the candidate’s Electronic Questionnaires for Investigations Processing (eQIP) entries have been reviewed and determined to be satisfactory. This position requires a favorable credit check as part of the background investigation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). This is a Bargaining Unit position under AFGE Local 3354 Bargaining Unit 5908 and is therefore eligible for labor organization representation. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.