Investigative Accountant

SEC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

SEC in Washington, DC seeks a Staff Accountant (Investigative Accountant) to assist with identifying, analyzing, and evaluating allegations of possible securities violations based on Tips, Complaints and Referrals (TCRs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs). This role requires one year time-in-grade at GS/SK-14 level and entails preparing written analyses and recommending actions.

Qualified applicants will meet the basic and minimum qualifications for SK-16, including accounting education

Qualifications

• Proven ability to translate complex accounting data into actionable findings.
• Experience applying accounting/auditing standards to investigations.
• Familiarity with securities laws and investigative processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist with identifying, analyzing, and evaluating allegations of possible securities violations based on TCRs and SARs.
• Prepare written analysis, findings, and recommended actions for investigations.

Skills

Technical accounting knowledge

Forensic accounting analysis

Financial reporting analysis

Critical thinking

Education

Accounting degree + 24 accounting hours

CPA or CIA certification

Job description

The Division of Enforcement (ENF), Office of Market Intelligence, is seeking a Staff Accountant (Investigative Accountant). As an Investigative Accountant, you will assist with identifying, analyzing, and evaluating allegations of possible violations of securities laws based on Tips, Complaints and Referrals (TCRs), Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), and other data and intelligence, preparing written analysis and findings, and recommending potential further action or response. Time-in-grade for this announcement is one year at the GS/SK-14 level.

Applicants are responsible for confirming all required materials are submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Please check the How You Will Be Evaluated and Required Documents sections carefully, as missing documents will render the application incomplete and ineligible for review.

Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENT

A. Degree: 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. (The term "accounting" means "accounting and/or auditing" in this standard. Similarly, "accountant" should be interpreted, generally, as "accountant and/or auditor.")

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:

1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination;
3. 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, applicants must also meet the minimum qualification requirement

SK-16: Applicant must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS/SK-14level:

1. Applying federal securities laws, and public accounting or auditing standards, AND
2. Utilizing investigative processes or strategies to perform detailed analysis and draw conclusions; AND
3. Conducting accounting or auditing data analysis to develop recommendations related to investigations.

ACCOMPLISHMENT RECORD COMPETENCIES:

Your Accomplishment Record narratives should address the following competencies. See the How You Will Be Evaluated section below for more information:

Competency 1: Technical Communication - Translates technical information into non-technical terms and accurately conveys technical information to end users (e.g., staff, management) and outside parties.

Competency 2: Accounting Data Analysis - Performs forensic analysis to identify assets and map the flow of transactions in support of further evidence gathering and to contribute to legal action.

Competency 3: Financial Reporting and Auditor Misconduct Investigation - Identifies, analyzes, and summarizes evidence of financial fraud and other accounting- and auditing-related violations of the federal securities laws.

Competency 4: Critical Thinking - Considers a variety of factors, general and subject matter-specific, when making decisions and determining next steps in a case.