LEAD ACCOUNTANT.

DFAS; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

DFAS is seeking a qualified accounting professional to provide expert guidance, lead teams, and ensure compliance with financial regulations. The role emphasizes reconciliation, reporting accuracy, and collaboration with management and external stakeholders.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, at least four years of accounting experience, and professional certification options such as CPA or CIA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field with 24 semester hours in accounting
• At least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training providing professional accounting knowledge with 24 accounting hours
• Possible qualification through CPA or CIA certificate

Responsibilities

• Delivers professional accounting advice and ensures compliance with accounting principles and standards.
• Reviews, analyzes, and reconciles operational accounting records and transactions for accuracy and reporting integrity.
• Leads team members by assigning projects, setting priorities, and reviewing work for quality and timeliness.
• Coaches and trains technicians and team members on accounting methods and procedures.
• Serves as liaison with management and stakeholders, presenting analytical reports and advising on key accounting issues.

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

Job description

Duties

• Delivers professional accounting advice, interprets accounting principles and standards, and assists supported organizations with financial functions, policies, and procedural compliance.
• Reviews, analyzes, and reconciles operational accounting records, subsidiary ledgers, and transactions (assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses) to ensure compliance, accuracy, and reporting integrity.
• Leads team members by assigning projects, setting priorities, balancing workloads, communicating goals and deadlines, and reviewing completed work for quality and adherence to guidelines.
• Coaches, trains, and provides technical guidance to technicians and team members on accounting methods, problem-solving techniques, and operational procedures.
• Serves as a liaison with management and external stakeholders, presenting analytical reports, communicating team consensus, and advising financial managers on key accounting issues and operational status.

Requirements

• 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirement:

• 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.

Education

You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position.

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: analyzing, reconciling, and resolving complex accounting transactions while ensuring compliance with financial regulations and accounting standards; or leading team members by assigning work, reviewing completed projects for accuracy, and providing technical accounting guidance to management and internal/external stakeholders.

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.
• For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about
• 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.
• 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 exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Travel requirement is occasional.
• This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
• Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level.
• 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 security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed 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 the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position 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 a conditional job offer. Please see

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.