Accountant

Veterans Health Administration; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration in Iowa City is seeking an Accountant to support the Health Care System Chief Financial Officer and Accounting Section Supervisor. The role requires applying accounting principles and standards to daily financial operations and reporting. Direct-Hire Authority is used for this vacancy.

The position offers opportunities to work with complex ledgers, assist with audits, and help ensure timely financial transactions in a federal healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting with 24 semester hours in accounting (or equivalent).
• Graduate education may substitute for some experience as per federal guidelines.
• Experience with financial management and accounting systems is preferred.
• Direct-Hire Authority knowledge is applicable for this vacancy.

Responsibilities

• Drafting simple instructions to describe internal accounting procedures.
• Providing systems analysis and design regarding financial management and accounting systems.
• Taking corrective action on financial system issues or reporting errors.
• Maintaining and controlling accounts and accounting transactions in a highly complex system.

Skills

Accounting procedures

Systems analysis

Financial reporting

Auditing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting with 24 semester hours in accounting

Master's degree or graduate education in relevant field

Tools

Accounting systems

General ledger systems

Job description

The Accountant supports the Health Care System Chief Financial officer and Accounting Section Supervisor. The employee performs duties consistent with accounting principles, standards, and related requirements prescribed by the Controller General of the U.S. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY: This position is being filled using Direct-Hire Authority (5 CFR 337.205) for this occupation.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/01/2026.

Basic Requirement for Series 0510:

A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher) in accounting; 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, B. Combination of education and experience: At least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following: Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 semester hours of business law; or A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position, you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

You may qualify for GS-09 based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Specialized Experience:

• Drafting simple instructions to describe internal accounting procedures
• Providing systems analysis, advice, & design regarding financial management and accounting systems
• Taking corrective action on financial system issues or reporting errors
• Analyzing general ledger accounts to ensure accuracy of reports

OR, Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. Qualifying graduate education must meet the subject areas outlined in the Basic Requirement education to be acceptable.

OR, Combination:

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Only education beyond the first year of graduate education can be considered.

You may qualify for GS-11 based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Specialized Experience:

• Maintaining and controlling accounts and accounting transactions in a highly complex finance and accounting system
• Inputting data into an accounting system
• Processing transactions that include verifying the accuracy & completeness of the accounting data
• Verifying that payable obligations are set up timely and reports all delinquent amounts outstanding
• Assisting with financial audits, including internal and financial quality assurance audits, as well as prepare documentation for audits

OR, Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Qualifying graduate education must meet the subject areas outlined in the Basic Requirement education to be acceptable.

OR, Combination:

Applicants may also combine education.