Summary The position serves as an Accountant supporting the Health Care System Chief Financial Officer and Accounting Section Supervisor. The candidate performs duties consistent with accounting principles, standards and related requirements prescribed by the Controller General of the United States. Duties include allotments, cost, capital asset, deposit funds, interoffice, revolving, trust funds, and appropriation accounting. Responsibilities Accounting (50%) Must have a well-established knowledge of principles, theories, techniques, and methodology of accounting and the structure and policies of the VA Accounting System. Must have the ability to apply established principles, techniques, and theories of accounting to the finance operation in a professional manner. Responsible for classifying, recording, controlling, reporting, and analyzing financial data to (1) show the cost of carrying our responsibilities, (2) provide a basis for financial planning (3) provide date for evaluating performance (4) show the status of financial condition and results of operations (5) safeguard public funds and other resources, and (6) assure compliance with applicable laws. In so doing, the incumbent is an important part of the agency's management control system. Renders technical advice on all phases of accounting matters including the analysis and interpretation of pertinent accounting data. Provides technical advice on the form and content of financial statements for use by local management consistent with established guidance. Conduct analysis of initial or irregular transactions which present accounting procedural problems. Responsible for developing appropriate methods of accounting for transactions not sufficiently covered by existing procedures consistent with established guidance. Audits (25%) Responsible for conducting (1) periodic internal reviews, (2) periodic internal and external audits and other reports, and (3) evaluations and recommendations for the establishment of new controls or the deletion of present controls which may be ineffective. Responsible for conducting routine reviews of accounting transactions (such as fee and contract payments) which requires the application of generally accepted accounting principles to ensure technical accuracy of accounting records and compliance with VA regulations. Responsible for assisting in performing financial audits, including the unannounced agent cashier audit and Financial Quality Assurance Audits as well as prepare documentation for external audits. Reconciliations (25%) Responsible for the computation and processing of required end of month adjustments. Receives purchase orders, contracts, travel orders and similar documents for obligation against appropriated funds. Reviews documents to ensure they are authorized in accordance with regulations charged to the applicable appropriation, and funds are available to cover the obligation. Responsible for upkeep on Microsoft Access databases and Microsoft Excel workbooks and to write queries or functions for use in financial reporting. Reconciles accounts by comparing account balances with related data to assure agreement; reviewing records and source documents to identify the sources of discrepancies; and determining the entries required to bring the account into balance. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework on a reoccurring basis and will be discussed during the interview process. Remote/Virtual: This position is not authorized for a remote or virtual work location. Position Description Title/PD#: Accountant/PD23478A and PD23480A Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. Bargaining Unit Position: Yes, AFGE/1276 The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) - Basic Requirements: Degree: A degree in accounting and/or auditing; 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 &/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.") Combination of Education and Experience: At least 4 years of experience in accounting/auditing, or an equivalent combination of accounting/auditing experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. Background must include one of the following: Twenty-four (24) semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED); A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination. (COPY OF CERTIFICATE REQUIRED) 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. (TRANSCRIPT OR PROOF REQUIRED) In addition to the Basic Requirements above, the following must also be met by grade level. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: To qualify at the GS-09 grade level: GS-09 Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) 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 that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position and is in the normal line of progression for this occupation. Qualifying specialized experience includes but is not limited to: perform a variety of assignments and audits; interpreting accounting operations and requirements; utilizing accounting systems to conduct audits/financial reviews; use of software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and OneNote. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-09 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level, you must have two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, Combining Education and Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-09 level. To qualify applicants must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience to meet the total experience requirements. NOTE: Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level, GS-07, may be combined with experience. For example, an applicant with six (6) months of appropriate experience equivalent to GS-07 (50 percent of the experience requirement for GS-09) and 27 semester hours of appropriate graduate education (50 percent of the education requirement for GS-09, in excess of that required for GS-07) would be qualified for a GS-09 position (assuming that there is no evidence that the attended college or university requires more than 18 semester hours as equivalent to a year of graduate study). (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) To qualify at the GS-11 Grade level: GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) 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 that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position and is in the normal line of progression for the occupation. Qualifying specialized experience includes but is not limited to: independently perform a variety of assignments and audits; interpreting accounting operations and requirements; utilizing accounting systems to research and resolve problems, conduct audits/financial reviews, and post receipted collections to established accounts receivable; use of software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and OneNote; accurately prepare statements and reports to reflect financial status of operations. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level. To qualify based on education for this grade level, you must have three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a PH.D. degree or a PH.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) OR, Combining Education and Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. To qualify, applicants must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond a master's degree or a master's equivalent graduate degree) and specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level) to meet the total experience requirements. Preferred Experience: Experience with Veterans Affairs(VA) accounting systems preferred, or with large accounting systems. Microsoft Office Suite - Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, Power Point, OneNote. 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. Working Environment: Work is performed in an office setting that is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Basic Requirements for all grades: Applicants who meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements are fully qualified for the specified entry grade. Applicants attempting to qualify for GS-09 and GS-11 must also meet the requirements as listed above in addition to meeting the basic requirements. The individual occupational requirements typically provide at least two methods for applicants to meet the basic requirements of the occupations covered by this Professional and Scientific standard: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements generally as stated in paragraph A in the individual occupational requirements. Where specific course requirements are not indicated in paragraph A, the number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the amount specified by the college or university attended. If this number cannot be obtained, 24 semester hours will be considered as equivalent to a major field of study. The nature and quality of this required course work must have been such that it would serve as a prerequisite for more advanced study in the field or subject-matter area. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major. Appropriate combination of education and experience that is typically specified in paragraph B of the individual occupational requirements. The "paragraph B" method generally requires that an applicant possess a core of educational credit, such as described in paragraph A above, plus additional education and/or experience. The method of determining the number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the same as described in paragraph A. The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation. 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. Additional Information VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at https://www.opm.gov/. Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. 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.