ACCOUNTANT.

DFAS; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Moving expenses paid

Job summary

DFAS in the United States is seeking a staff expert in operational accounting with strong GAAP knowledge to review, analyze and improve accounting processes, controls, and reporting. This role involves solving complex, high-visibility issues and updating procedures to strengthen internal controls.

The incumbent will respond to inquiries from customers and subordinates, ensuring accurate financial data and compliance with GAAP across receiving, validating, recording and reporting transactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field with 24 accounting hours required (may include up to 6 hours business law).
• Combination of education and experience can qualify (4+ years accounting experience + 24 accounting hours or CPA/CIA).
• Certification or CPA/CIA may be required later in the process.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a staff expert regarding operational accounting functions and GAAP.
• Reviews programs, practices, and procedures for accounting transactions.
• Identifies accounting system problems in complex or sensitive situations.
• Prepares or updates operating procedures to fix internal control deficiencies.
• Responds to questions about accounting data discrepancies.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting (or related field with 24 accounting hours)

Accounting certification (CPA or CIA)

4+ years accounting experience (alternative)

Job description

• Serves as a staff expert regarding the operational accounting functions and the application of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
• Reviews and analyzes operating programs, practices, and procedures related to receiving, controlling, validating, recording, and reporting accounting transactions.
• Conceptualizes reporting interrelationships to identify/isolate accounting systems problems in complex, sensitive, or high visibility situations.
• Prepares and/or updates operating procedures to correct internal control deficiencies.
• Responds to questions from customers and subordinates regarding accounting data discrepancies.

Duties

• Serves as a staff expert regarding the operational accounting functions and the application of generally accepted accounting principles, policies, and procedures.
• Reviews and analyzes operating programs, practices, and procedures related to receiving, controlling, validating, recording, and reporting accounting transactions.
• Conceptualizes reporting interrelationships to identify/isolate accounting systems problems in complex, sensitive, or high visibility situations.
• Prepares and/or updates operating procedures to correct internal control deficiencies.
• Responds to questions from customers and subordinates regarding accounting data discrepancies.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S Citizen
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
• Time in Grade Requirement - see the Qualifications field below for more details.
• Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification
• New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.
• Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.
• Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the basic requirements described below:

• Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; 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. OR
• Candidates may also qualify through a combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college‑level education and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.

You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is defined as

Providing expert accounting services to improve operational efficiency, analyze financial data, and ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); Assisting in designing and assessing financial systems and internal controls.

You may qualify for consideration if meeting specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level.

Additional information

• Moving expenses will be paid.
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click
• For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about
• We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.
• Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
• As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.
• This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Travel requirement is Seldom (1-24%).
• This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
• Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300,
• The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable in known or unknown background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within agency. Failure to maintain eligibility may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
• Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive conditional job offer. Please see
• This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already setting that certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within required time-frame may be grounds for removal from position and/or from Federal service. Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at:

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.