Accountant in Washington, District Of Columbia

Summary This position is located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), Finance Accounting and Analysis Division (FAAD). Responsibilities Provides technical expertise and guidance on federal accounting requirements and standards, and impact of new legislation or program initiatives. Maintains and operates the Department-wide financial management and reporting tools to fulfill requirements such as comprehensive cost accounting and integrated financial management. Analyzes, reviews, and recommends upgrades for existing financial management systems. Manages the preparation of financial statements and reports, including updates on financial and contractual status, general ledger accounts, quarterly and annual reports, and accounts receivable. Develops and implements accounting policies and procedures across the Agency. Identifies changes in regulations and accounting practices, resource control functions, and operational issues to ensure efficient fund management and accurate financial records reflecting OJP’s financial status. Identifies key policy issues and priorities, designs analyses, evaluates alternative strategies, and presents conclusive recommendations to senior management officials. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Basic Entry Requirements: 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- 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. Specialized Experience: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level. Specialized experience is experience which is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include: Analyzing, interpreting, implementing and/or referencing Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-136 Financial Reporting Requirements, Circular A-11 preparing, submitting, and executing the budget, and/or the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) standards and other Pronouncements; Analyzing, interpreting, implementing and/or referencing a US standard general ledger (USSGL) and technical guidance for standard federal accounting and reporting; Conducting or responding to federal financial audits; Designing, modifying, administering, and analyzing accounting systems and tools utilizing knowledge of accounting practices and procedures including those established by the General Accountability Office, OMB, Department of Treasury, and the organization. Reviewing and developing new or proposed financial management policies, procedures, and guidelines affecting a wide range of organization’s activities. Technical Qualifications: Applicants who meet the basic entry and minimum qualification requirements, as described above, will be further evaluated on the following technical qualifications: Maintains and Operates Federal Financial Management System Accounting Data Validation Financial Reporting Written and Oral Communication Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM’s website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Education This position has a positive education requirement. Please see the Qualifications section for more information. Additional Information This position may be eligible for telework per agency policy. OJP offers opportunities for flexible work schedules. Recruitment incentives may not be authorized. This position is included in the bargaining unit. This position has a duty station of Washington, D.C. The selectee will be required to physically report to the OJP office building at least four (4) days per bi-weekly pay period and may incorporate leave and official travel plans into this reporting requirement. The office director or supervisor may request the selectee’s presence in the office more frequently, as determined by the needs of the office. The selectee will be responsible for covering all commuting-related travel expenses. OJP employees are eligible for one transportation benefit – parking or the Department of Justice (DOJ) transit subsidy. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Please do not indicate current or former position salary in your application or resume. As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.