Accountant in Perry Point, Maryland

Summary This position is located at the Perry Point VA Medical Center in Finance and Accounting Service. The incumbent serves as an Accountant and is responsible for the maintenance of a double entry accounting system which involves assets, liabilities, general ledger accounting and accountability for appropriations, revolving funds and trust fund accounts. Responsibilities 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. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm M-F Telework: Regular Teleworks 6+ days/PP Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Accountant/PD22016A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: No Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): No Permanent Change of Station (PCS): No Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Major Duties include, but not limited to: 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. 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. 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. Serves as a professional accountant. Applies a thorough knowledge of the total accounting system and well established accounting principles, techniques and regulations to process a wide variety of transactions. Recognizes significant account variances and assists higher level accountants in the proper research and reconciliation of all accounting records. Determines proper work methods and develops work sheets and forms necessary to complete assignments. Responsible for accounting and financial activities: providing systems analysis, advice, and design regarding Financial Management and Accounting systems used by VA; maintaining various high profile accounting transactions including fixed assets; environmental liabilities and deferred maintenance; Financial indicators and financial reports reconciliation; taking corrective action on financial system issues or reporting errors; providing training to VA field station staff; and participating in financial system(s) annual close out. As an Accountant, 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. These accounts area adapted and augmented to meet the special requirements of a Government agency. Accounting systems are decentralized in order that accounts may be maintained adjacent to management where data is useful in day-to-day operations; however, systems are centralized in total using automated data processing equipment with feedback data to local management as well as the agency level. The majority of the daily workload is completed by the processing of accounting information using IFCAP (Integrated Funds Distribution Control Point Accounting and Procedure), AR (Accounts Receivable), FAP (Fixed Assets Program), CCS (Credit Card System), IPPS (Invoice Payment Processing System), and FMS (Financial Management System) at the Austin, Texas VA Data Processing Center. The responsibilities of this position are heavily impacted by the increased level of complexity associated with numerous new initiatives and their varied operating requirements. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/25/2024. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.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. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. 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. GS 09 Accounting: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Professional knowledge of accounting and, as required, auditing concepts, principles, and methods sufficient to work independently using conventional procedures and practices that apply to most situations encountered. Basic, general knowledge of the organization’s business practices pertaining to such matters as common administrative support or business accounting systems for payroll, purchases, maintenance, sales, and services sufficient to relate to the needs of serviced organizations. 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 in 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, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education as described above. 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. GS 11 Accounting: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Professional knowledge of accounting and, as required, auditing concepts, principles, and methods sufficient to work independently using conventional procedures and practices that apply to most situations encountered. 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 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, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education as described above. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service (Clerical/Technical) Oral Communication Principles of Accounting 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. Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary but requires considerable typing, walking, speaking on the phone with individuals and in group settings, and working at a computer for the entire day. 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/. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM’s Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.