Accountant

***This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-07 and GS-09 grade levels, assignments are performed on a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11***

The Accountant serves under the direction of the Supervisory Accountant in Business and Financial Operations at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The duties of this position include but are not limited to:
Providing accounting and cost reports, financial statements and other information data reflecting the interrelation of accounting and cost budgeting.

Interpreting accounting reports, statements and data that reflect trends or deviations to effectively contribute to the making of decisions or establishing policy.

Meeting with operation officials to explain financial data and information derived from various financial reports.

Renders professional advice to all station officials on accounting matters.

Renders comparative analysis of costs, revenue, Supply Fund transactions, etc., to show trend of expenses, source of finds, and detailed status of various classes of assets and liabilities.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Accountant/2645-0

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.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Qualifications:
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

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 listed under “Degree”, 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 :GS-7:
Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-05) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

Studying and demonstrating knowledge of the United States Standard General Ledger (USSGL).

Posting transactions affecting obligations or payables to the government with the assistance of a senior level accountant.

Verifying or checking output based on multiple points of entry.

OR

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-07 level. Applicants must have successfully completed one of the following:

1 full year of graduate level education; OR

A bachelor’s degree in any field with Superior Academic Achievement. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. For more information on S.A.A. please visit http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=General-Policies

OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-07 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, only graduate education beyond the first semester is creditable). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-07.

GS-9:
Applicants 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:

Interpreting and Reconciliation inquiries or issues in regards to the USSGL

Identifying which transactions to post that affect obligations or payables to the government.

Assist other services and or customers on how to input and verify acceptance into a particular system.

OR

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-09 level. Applicants must have successfully completed one of the following:

a masters or equivalent graduate degree OR

2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR

LL.B or J.D., if related.

Note: To be creditable, education must be directly related to the duties of this position.

OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-09 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, only graduate education beyond the first year is creditable). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-09.

GS-11:
Applicants 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:

Identify and resolve anomalies or imbalances in the USSGL.

Correct and remediate erroneous transactions that affect obligations or payables to the government.

Assisting customers and diagnosing more complex issues in regards to inputting and verifying acceptance as well as rejections into a particular system.

OR

Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level. Applicants must have successfully completed one of the following:

(1) a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR

(2) 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR

(3) LL.M., if related.

Note: To be creditable, education must be directly related to the duties of this position.

OR

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. To calculate, first identify the percentage of required education you have earned (when substituting, only graduate education beyond the second year is creditable). Then identify the percentage of required experience you possess. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-11.

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

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.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with some carrying of light items such as computer reports, boxes and ledgers.

Time-in-grade : 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. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05 level. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09 level.

The following documents are required: Failure to provide the documentation listed below will result in being rated ineligible and your application package will be deactivated.

1.Resume: Your resume must have the following information for each position you have held: job title, duties, dates of employment including month and year (start/end dates), and full time or part-time status with the number of hours worked each week.

2.Responses to the Occupational Questionnaire

3.Copy of most recent non-award SF-50 that shows your current title, series, grade, step salary and tenure (if applicable).

4.DD-214: If you are applying as a veteran you must submit a copy of your latest DD 214 that shows your character of service (i.e., Honorable, Under Honorable Conditions).

5.SF-15 & supporting documents: If you are applying as a veteran and claiming 10-point veterans’ preference, in addition to your DD 214, you must submit an SF-15, application for 10-Point Veteran Preference along with the required supporting documentation.

6.Transcripts: You must submit a legible copy of your college transcripts if using education to qualify for the position (if applicable)

Please use this checklist to ensure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.

Veterans’ Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), or 10pt (CP/CPS, XPP, XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP), on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. A legible copy of your DD214(s) indicating character of service, disability certification, SF-15 (if claiming 10 pt. preference) or if you are currently serving on active duty and expected to be released or discharged within 120 days; documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Documentation is required for eligibility verification.

Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options . The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1964984.

NOTE : If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.