ACCOUNTANT

Customs and Border Protection (DOHS); Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 51,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is seeking candidates for a Recent Graduate Pathways appointment in Indianapolis.

The program offers a one-year development track with potential for civil service conversion after completion, with responsibilities spanning data gathering, financial reporting, and process improvement. Open to graduates who meet the recent graduate eligibility window, with promotion potential to higher grades.

Qualifications

• Recent graduates may qualify for the Pathways program.
• GS-7 requires 1 year of specialized experience or education as noted by the agency.
• GS-9 requires 1 year of specialized experience at a higher grade level or graduate education.
• Education substitutions outline how degrees substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Gathering, compiling, and reviewing financial data to support programs and reporting.
• Assist with preparing recurring and ad hoc financial reports and analyses.
• Review financial data and processes to identify discrepancies and improve controls.
• Assist higher-graded staff with analyses to evaluate operations and recommend improvements.
• Help resolve routine financial operating problems and data quality issues.

Education

Bachelor's degree (GS-7/GS-9 substitution)

Job description

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Finance, Financial Operations, Indianapolis, IN.

Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and'/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

5 vacancies in the following location: Indianapolis, IN. Telework eligible: No. Remote job: No. Relocation expenses reimbursed: No. Work schedule: Full-time. Travel required: Not required.

Salary: $50,930 – $80,991 per year (GS-7 – 9). Promotion potential to $117,446 (GS-12 Step 10). Appointment type: Recent graduates. Occupations and job series: 0501 Financial Administration And Program. Supervisory status: No. Federal service type: Competitive Service. Represented by a union: Yes. Drug test: No. Security clearance: Not required. Financial disclosure required: No.

Announcement number: OF-DE(RG)-13093651-ERO. Control number: 889534900.

Job is open to

Recent graduates

Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

Open to individuals who will receive a qualifying associate, bachelors, master’s, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within nine (9) months from the date of application, graduates who received their degree within the past two (2) years, and veterans unable to apply within two (2) years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have up to six (6) years after degree completion to apply.

Duties

This is a Recent Graduate appointment in the Pathways Program. Selected individuals are placed in a dynamic one year development program in the excepted service designed to lead to a competitive civil service career in the Federal government. At the successful conclusion of this program, the agency may non‑competitively convert individuals to a term (position lasting 1-4 years with an extension up to 120 days) or permanent position within the competitive service. Conversion to a Federal competitive service position will be at the discretion of the agency and is neither guaranteed nor implied. Typical duties include:

• Gathering compiling, entering, and reviewing financial data to support assigned financial programs, budgetary status, expenditure tracking, performance measures, and management reporting.
• Assisting with preparing recurring and ad hoc financial reports, summaries, analyses, instructions, procedures, and related materials for assigned financial processes and group functions.
• Reviewing financial data, workflows, office procedures, and operational processes to identify discrepancies, inefficiencies, and opportunities to improve financial controls, reporting, and service delivery.
• Assisting higher-graded staff in analyzing financial services and support activities, including compiling information and preparing analyses used to evaluate program operations and recommend improvements.
• Assisting in reviewing and resolving routine financial operating problems, including issues involving financial processes, automated systems, data quality, and related support activities.

This position starts at a salary of $50,930.00 (GS-7, Step 1) to $80,991.00 (GS-9, Step 10) with promotion potential to $117,446 (GS-12 Step 10).

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years.
• All pre‑employment processes will be conducted in English.
• You may be required to pass a background investigation.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug‑Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes.
• Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions – NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites – National Treasury Employees Union – NTEU.

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military.
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government.
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university.
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-7 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Entering, updating, retrieving, or maintaining information in databases, spreadsheets, tracking logs, financial systems, or other automated systems; gathering or compiling information from reports, records, forms, source documents, or automated systems.
• Reviewing records, reports, source documents, transactions, forms, or data entries to identify missing information, apparent errors, discrepancies, anomalies, or inconsistent information.
• Preparing routine reports, spreadsheets, summaries, worksheets, responses, or supporting documentation using established formats or instructions.
• Responding to routine customer, stakeholder, program office, or internal inquiries by researching records, documenting the inquiry, tracking status, preparing a routine response, or referring issues for further review.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-9 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Gathering, compiling, reviewing, and analyzing financial, budgetary, workload, resource, operational, and performance data from multiple sources to identify trends, discrepancies, inefficiencies, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Preparing financial reports, summaries, analyses, and management information related to budget status, expenditure tracking, performance measures, financial program operations, and operational reviews.
• Assisting in developing, revising, and documenting financial instructions, guidance, standard operating procedures, workflow processes, internal controls, and automated financial system procedures in accordance with established policies.
• Supporting financial studies, special projects, evaluation teams, and process improvement efforts by collecting data, conducting analysis, documenting results, and drafting findings or recommendations for review by higher‑graded staff or management.
• Coordinating with program staff, systems personnel, financial personnel, and other stakeholders to obtain information, clarify data, resolve discrepancies, and support financial reporting, review, and improvement activities.

Education Substitution GS-7: A Bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement may also substitute for the experience required. It is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade‑point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0, excluding pass/fail credit). Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision. Please see www.opm.gov for additional information.

OR

Successful completion of one year of full‑time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours.

Education Substitution GS-9: Master’s degree or 2 full years of progressively higher‑level graduate education for experience required at the GS-9 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.

Combining Experience and Education: To combine your education and experience, you must convert each to a percentage, and then add the percentages. The combined total of your percentage of education and experience must equal at least 100% in order to qualify.

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, religious, 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.

You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 11/09/2026.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request

Benefits

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.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including:

• health, dental, vision, life, and long‑term care insurance
• retirement plan
• Thrift Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• personal leave days
• paid federal holidays
• flexible work schedules
• tuition reimbursement
• transportation subsidies
• uniform allowance
• health and wellness programs
• fitness centers
• disabled veteran leave

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.

Agency contact information

CBP Hiring Center HR Contact

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Address: Office of Finance, Washington, DC 20229, US