Defense Finance and Accounting Service Logo
Position Title
ACCOUNTANT
Agency
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Announcement Number
IN-12676943-25 Opens in new window
Open Period
Monday, February 10, 2025 to Monday, February 24, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
The following section is used to determine your eligibility for appointment in the Federal Government or Status for referral consideration. Please indicate by your responses all categories of eligibilities for which you would like to be considered. You will only be considered under eligibilities that you select. If you are not able to select at least one of the eligibilities below, you are not eligible to be considered for this position.

NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will render you not eligible for consideration.

See instructions under the "How to Apply" tab for submitting documentation.
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1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a current, permanent Career or Career-Conditional DoD employee in the competitive service AND your highest permanent grade is LOWER than the highest grade of this position? (SF-50 block 24 must be a "1" or "2") (limit characters)
3. Are you a current, permanent Career or Career-Conditional DoD employee in the competitive service AND your highest permanent grade is the SAME or HIGHER than the highest grade of the position being filled OR I have held a permanent developmental position with promotion potential to the same grade of the position being filled? (SF-50 block 24 must be a "1" or "2") (limit characters)
4. Are you a veteran who is currently a Department of Defense (DoD) employee on a permanent Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)? (SF-50 block 24 must be a "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "2") (limit characters)
5. I am an MR or NG 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 position 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.
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6. 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 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 membership (through no fault of your own) and that you have completed at 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.
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7. 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 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 permanent Federal employment at your retained grade, nor have you accepted or declined a PPP job offer.
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8. I am a military spouse who is currently married to my active duty sponsor. I am exercising my preference eligibility for positions within the local commuting area of my sponsor's current duty station.  I certify that I have not accepted nor declined a permanent, continuing Federal appropriated or non-appropriated fund position in the local commuting area of our current duty location. 
NOTE 1:  Military spouses are eligible for one permanent noncompetitive appointment using their preference eligibility for the duration of the active duty sponsor's assignment to a permanent duty station, as long as the military spouse has not declined or accepted a permanent Federal or non-appropriated fund position in the commuting area of the sponsor's current duty location.  If you certify that you have not used your preference at your sponsor's current duty location and it is discovered to be untrue, you may be subject to loss of MSP and possible disciplinary action. 
NOTE 2:  You must include a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP.
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Preferences
There is a time-in-grade (TIG) requirement for this position for applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position in the previous 52 weeks. These applicants must meet TIG within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Your answer to this section will indicate you possess the time in grade requirement or if it does not apply. Please answer the following question(s) by selecting the most appropriate response.
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1. There is a time in grade (TIG) requirement for advancement to this position. Have you completed one year in a position at, above, or equivalent to the GS-11 level? Please indicate the appropriate response below: (limit characters)
2. Are you a retired Federal employee receiving an annuity from the Office of Personnel Management? NOTE: If you answered yes to this question, attach a copy of your retirement Standard Form 50 to your application. (limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former (within last five-years) Executive Branch political appointee; Schedule C excepted service appointee (confidential, policy or transitional role), or non-career or limited appointee in the Senior Executive Service (SES)?

Agencies must request OPM approval to appoint the following current or former (within five-years) Executive Branch political appointees to permanent competitive service, non-political excepted service, or career SES positions:
https://www.opm.gov/FAQs/QA.aspx?fid=023f2059-dff7-4307-89b4-c553c218af1d&pid=08248d29-d26e-44b6-9988-57655358d509
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4. This section is used to determine if your current performance rating is acceptable for further consideration. All current federal employees must have a minimum performance rating of at least Fully Successful (or equivalent) to be considered for placement. Current federal employees who have a current unacceptable performance rating will be excluded from consideration. NOTE: Failure to select one of the below responses will render you ineligible for further consideration.

If you are a current Federal employee, was your most recent performance rating of record (that is, the rating recorded in your official personnel folder) at least Fully Successful (or equivalent); OR a Pass rating on a Pass/Fail scale? Even if you have not received a rating of record in the past 12 months, you should still indicate your most recent performance rating of record.
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5. To be eligible for Military Spouse Preference (MSP) under this vacancy announcement, you must have appointment eligibility under one of the following authorities and submit the appropriate, required documentation to verify your eligibility. Please select one or more eligibilities that apply to you. (limit characters)
6. To exercise your PPP application based preference as a Military Reserve and National Guard Technician, Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Receiving Disability Retirement, or Retained Grade Preference Eligible under this vacancy announcement, you must have appointment eligibility under one of the following authorities and submit the appropriate, required documentation to verify your eligibility. Please select one or more eligibilities that apply to you. (limit characters)
Assessment 1
Please accurately identify your level of training or experience when completing this questionnaire. Your responses will be evaluated and verified based on your submitted resume. Ensure that your resume accurately describes the level of education and/or experience claimed in the assessment questionnaire. Later steps in the selection process are specifically designed to verify your stated level of experience and demonstrated capability. By continuing in the application process, I acknowledge that my self-assessment questionnaire score may be reduced, and I may lose consideration for this position if the work experience described in my resume does not support my responses to the assessment questionnaire. (limit characters)
1. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below. (You MUST submit copies of your proof of education unless you meet one of the exceptions as described in the vacancy announcement; failure to submit required documents by the close of the announcement may result in an Ineligible rating.) (limit characters)
2. From the descriptions below, select the letter that corresponds to the highest level of education and/or experience that you fully possess and demonstrates your ability to perform the work of Accountant at the GS-12 grade level. Select only one letter for each item. (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)
3. Analyze the effect of transactions on the underlying accounting structure to determine how to modify the accounting structure to better reflect the nature of transactions. (limit characters)
4. Compile statistical data from accounting reports and financial statements to make comparisons against established policies and efficiency criteria.
 
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5. Develop business processes via process maps (flowcharts) and narratives for existing or new procedures.
 
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6. Identify root causes and corrective action related to accounting data analysis or reviews of operational procedures.
 
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7. Initiate special projects, studies or reviews to determine the reliability and accuracy of accounting reports and financial statements.
 
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8. Communicate issues to management regarding major system issues, associated risks, and functional impact on operations.
 
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9. Coordinate with applicable organizations and other accountants on the development and preparation of revised or modified accounting, finance, and reporting manuals.
 
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10. Coordinate with budget personnel regarding actions required to identify, track, research, or liquidate/cancel unliquidated balances in expiring and closing appropriations.
 
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11. Draft briefings to present the results of accounting data analysis or reviews of operational procedures.
 
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12. Provide technical advice and training to technicians and program managers regarding the processing of accounting transactions and/or reconciliation of accounting reports.
 
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13. Serve as a liaison with customers, program officials, accountants, and management officials to identify problems and negotiate acceptable solutions to accounting problems. (limit characters)
14. Apply accounting principles, theories, and techniques to design, test, evaluate or modify major segments of accounting, finance, and reporting systems/subsystems. (limit characters)
15. Determine the impact of changing requirements on an operating program's existing policies and procedures by analyzing and interpreting new financial regulations.
 
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16. Develop or implement new operational procedures to resolve accounting problems where no formal precedents exist.
 
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17. Interpret accounting and financial policies, procedures, legislation and other guidelines to ensure accounting systems are in compliance. (limit characters)
18. Provide interpretation on regulatory and administrative guidelines to ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and proper execution of public funds. (limit characters)
19. Serve as a staff expert responsible for advising less senior accountants and technicians regarding operational accounting functions.
 
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20. Detect deficiencies between multiple, interrelated systems by reviewing accounting and financial systems for internal controls. (limit characters)
21. Develop procedures to enhance internal controls for use with automated accounting systems. (limit characters)
22. Improve processes related to receiving, controlling, validating, recording, and reporting accounting data by reviewing internal controls, performing analysis, and updating procedures.
 
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23. Lead projects related to large-scale financial or accounting system reviews, changes, testing or implementation that require coordination of diverse functional and technical resources across departmental lines. (limit characters)
24. Maintain major segments of accounting finance and reporting systems to meet all applicable federal government requirements and needs of management.
 
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25. Provide analyses and reconciliations related to accounting functions which involve more than one system and involve a large number of transactions cross-leveling interrelated systems.
 
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26. Analyze a wide variety of incoming and outgoing reports/documents to resolve diverse/complex problems with the validity, accuracy, and integrity of financial and accounting data or financial reporting structure. (limit characters)
27. Analyze financial and accounting reports for data integrity, completeness, consistency, and conformance to regulatory directives prior to final release. (limit characters)
28. Evaluate accounting statements/reports to identify problems with the validity, accuracy, and integrity of financial and accounting data.
 
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29. Recommend solutions to management to resolve accounting statement/reporting problems involving cross-functional systems and operating practices.
 
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Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
30. Do you certify, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all of the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.)? Do you understand that the information provided may be investigated? Do you understand that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in or with your application may be grounds for not hiring you or for firing you after you begin work? Do you also understand that false or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001)? (limit characters)