Office of the Secretary of Defense Logo
Position Title
Staff Accountant
Agency
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Announcement Number
DHA-12486815-24-LJ Opens in new window
Open Period
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 to Tuesday, August 27, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2.
  • Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
  •  
    • Position title;
    • Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
    • Agency; and,
    • Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
  •  
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position?

If yes, confirm:
• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy
• your grade is equivalent to or above the grade level of the vacancy or has greater promotion potential than the grade level of the vacancy
• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

You will be required to submit supporting documentation to validate your claim of ICTAP eligibility such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a Proposed Removal/Separation notice, copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), and most recent performance appraisal showing a rating of record that is at least fully successful or equivalent.  For more information, review https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/
(limit characters)
4. Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Military Reserve (MR) & National Guard (NG) Preference Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement (PPP Disability)

I am a Military Reserve or National Guard Technician who will be or has been involuntarily medically retired due to a service-connected medical disability that disqualifies me from military membership or from holding my required military grade, and have applied for or am receiving a disability retirement annuity.
I am exercising my preference eligibility to DoD positions within my local commuting area.
I understand that the positions for which I am applying must be at the same grade or equivalent level, tenure, and work schedule as the position held currently or upon separation. 

NOTE 1: If you indicate 'yes' to this question, you must submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received that states you are no longer eligible for Reserve membership due to a service-connected disability.

NOTE 2: By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not obtained permanent Federal employment, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer. 

 
(limit characters)
5. You are eligible for this hiring category if you are a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who has permanent change of station (PCS) orders (not for training).
  • Limited to the geographic area as specified in the PCS orders. This includes the surrounding area which people reasonably can be expected to travel daily to and from work.
  • Must relocate with the service member to be eligible.
  • Must be currently located in the commuting area to be authorized preference.
Supporting documentation: You are required to submit acceptable documentation of your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference which includes:

Documents required to be submitted with Application for Military Spouse Preference Eligible:
(NOTE: DoD agencies may require additional documentation. Please refer to the announcement to ensure that all required documentation is submitted with your application. It is highly recommended that you save all these documents to your USAJOBS account in order to facilitate applying to multiple positions.)

Military Spouses with prior Federal work experience:
  • Narrative resume
  • PCS orders
  • Marriage certificate or license
  • SF-50s, if applicable (e.g., LWOP, highest grade held, overseas appointments, etc.)
  • Documentation of performance rating of record (dated within the last 12 months), if applicable
  • Signed self-certification checklist
  • Veteran's preference documentation (e.g., DD-214, VA letter, Statement of Service), if applicable
  • Transcripts, if applicable
Military Spouses without prior Federal work experience:
  • Narrative resume
  • PCS orders
  • Marriage certificate or license
  • Signed self-certification checklist
  • Veterans' preference documentation (e.g. DD 214, VA letter, Statement of Service), if applicable
  • Transcripts, if applicable
(limit characters)
6. Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible:

I am currently on retained grade based on receiving a written RIF notification letter of a change to lower grade, or a notification letter of a classification downgrade
dated within the last 2 years. I am exercising my preference eligibility to DoD positions at my retained grade, within my local commuting area.

NOTE 1: If you indicate "yes" for this statement, you must submit a copy of the "Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist" and copies of the appropriate
documentation, such as a RIF change-to-lower-grade notice, and an SF-50 reflecting your RIF change to lower grade.

NOTE 2: By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not accepted or declined a job offer for permanent Federal employment at your retained grade, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer.
 
(limit characters)
7. PPP DoD Mil Reserve (MR) & Nat"l Guard (NG) Pref Eligible Tech Rec Dis Retirement (PPP Disability)

I am an MR or NG Reserve Technician who will lose or has lost my military membership through no fault of my own after completing at least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement. I am exercising my preference eligibility to DoD positions within my local commuting area in accordance with Section 3329(b) of Title 5 U.S.C. This preference eligibility is valid for 1 year after separation.

NOTE 1: If you indicate 'yes' to this question, you must submit a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist and copies of the appropriate documentation, such as the notification letter you received showing you are no longer eligible for military or NG {through no fault of your own)  and that you have completed a least 15 years of technician service and a minimum of 20 years of service creditable for non-regular retirement.

NOTE 2: By using this eligibility, you certify that you have not obtained permanent Federal employment, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer. 
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for applying to the Staff Accountant, GS-0510-14/15 position, with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Comptroller, (OUSD(Comptroller)). (limit characters)
1. This occupation has specific educational requirements which apply to all positions. From the options below, select the one response which describes your educational background. Education above the high school level must have been completed in a U.S. college, university, or other educational institution that has been accredited by one of the accrediting agencies or associations recognized by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education. Transcripts are required at the time of application.
(limit characters)
2. Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Staff Accountant at the GS-14 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
(limit characters)
3. Select the one statement that best describes the experience that you possess that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of a Staff Accountant at the GS-15 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.
(limit characters)
This position has Conditions of Employment that must be obtained prior to your start date and maintained for the duration of this employment. (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
4. This position requires you to pass screening for illegal drug use prior to appointment and subsequent periodic drug screening thereafter. Are you willing to meet the drug testing requirements?
(limit characters)
5. This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. Are you willing to meet the security clearance requirements?
(limit characters)
6. This position may require occasional travel away from your normal duty station. Are you willing to meet the travel requirements?
(limit characters)
7. In accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1300.26, "Operation of the DoD Financial Management Certification Program (DFMCP)," this position requires a Level 3 Certification a under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program. If the incumbent is not already assigned this certification at this level, the incumbent of this position must obtain this certification within two (2) years of entry on duty into this FM position. Once certified, the incumbent must meet the continuing education training requirement as outlined in DoDI 1300.26. FM workforce members may also present and maintain one of the following five professional certifications to meet any of the three DFMCP certification levels: (1) Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM) (Continuing education required: 80 hours every 2 years); (2) Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) Continuing education required: 80 hours every 2 years; (3) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Continuing education required: 120 hours every 3 years; (4) Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Continuing education required: 30 hours every year; (5) Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Continuing education required: 120 hours every 3 years. To satisfy the DFMCP certification requirement using one of the five professional certifications listed above, FM workforce members must be in an active and current status. For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the dates of employment for each position listed on your resume (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application will be marked as incomplete and you will not receive consideration for this position.
Are you willing to meet the appropriate certification level requirements?
(limit characters)
In this part you will respond to questions about your experience as it relates to the position for which you are applying. Carefully review the level descriptions (A to E) listed below. For each task question, choose the level description that best describes your experience and/or training. Your responses must be fully supported within the text of your resume. Failure to properly identify your experience may result in the lowering of your overall score and/or your disqualification for this position. (limit characters)
For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
8. Oversee the operations of a reporting entity, ensuring accounting and financial statement reporting is in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and authoritative guidance.
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9. Assess the impact of changes in accounting laws, policies, and directives on financial reporting and accounting systems.
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10. Develop or implement internal management controls to ensure the organization achieves its accounting data integrity objectives as required by legislation and regulatory agencies.
(limit characters)
11. Provide authoritative policy interpretations and functional recommendations relating to the effectiveness of accounting operations.
(limit characters)
12. Evaluate the operations of a reporting entity, ensuring accounting and financial statement reporting is in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and authoritative guidance.
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13. Conduct independent studies of accounting data to make functional recommendations to improve financial reporting.
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14. Analyze accounting data to support business decisions.
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15. Implement accounting guidance for the purpose of making financial management decisions.
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For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
16. Conduct broad analysis of functional requirements in support of existing financial management systems to ensure compliance of financial and accounting reports.
(limit characters)
17. Provide interpretation of financial statements and note disclosures, identifying deviations from standards.
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18. Implement modifications to financial management systems based on changes in legislation, finance and accounting requirements, or funding.
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19. Provide oversight and approval authority in the development of system requirements for a complex standardized accounting operation.
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20. Perform technical direction over the preparation of financial statements and note disclosures.
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For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below. (limit characters)
21. Establish collaborative relations and communication with internal and external contacts to implement accounting and finance strategies.
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22. Interact with senior leadership to address challenges or impacts to financial statements.
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23. Represent the organization in senior level conferences and consultations with various executive level managers within private or public sectors.
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Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
24. Your ratings in this questionnaire are subject to evaluation and verification based on the documents you submitted. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. By agreeing to the statement below, you are confirming that you: 1) understand this warning; 2) have reviewed your responses to this questionnaire for accuracy; and 3) have verified that your responses accurately describe your current level of experience and capability as reflected in your resume. Do you certify the accuracy of your responses?
(limit characters)