Supervisory Accountant

Veterans Health Administration; Fayetteville (AR); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration in Fayetteville, AR seeks a Supervisory Accountant (Accounting Chief) to lead all accounting operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and strong internal controls. The role oversees multiple platforms and interfaces with USSGL-based processes for federal resources.

In this position, you will manage a decentralized double-entry system, coordinate with audits, and drive process improvements while safeguarding budgetary and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field with professional accounting knowledge.
• Experience supervising a multi-level accounting team and workload direction.
• Knowledge of federal accounting policies and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations across proprietary and budgetary methods.
• Ensure timely recording and reporting of accruals, journals, and reimbursements.
• Coordinate with audits and implement process improvements.
• Lead development of standard operating procedures and training requirements.

Skills

Accounting leadership

Supervisory experience

Financial reporting

Internal controls

USSGL knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting

Tools

USSGL

Job description

Summary

The position is in the Fiscal Service of the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks VA Medical Center located in Fayetteville, Arkansas serving as the Supervisory Accountant (Accounting Chief). This role provides leadership, oversight, and direction for all accounting operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, strong internal controls, and effective stewardship of federal resources.

Duties

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The Chief of Accounting is responsible for the overall operations to maintain both proprietary and budgetary accounting methodologies among multiple platforms and subsidiary records to capture, journal, record, and report all activity, and its supported entities and partners of the Medical Center through the United States Standard General Ledger (USSGL) accounts to the US Treasury's system of record for the Medical Center. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Exercises full supervisory control as direct supervisor and also second level of supervision through filling vacancies, reviewing and approving leave requests, division of workload, assignment of performance measures, development of standard operating procedures, organizational management, training requirements, improvement process and systems redesigns, implementation of new policy or procedural guidance, coordination with AFGE Union partners, evaluating performance, and effects minor discipline
• Oversees the accounting operations consisting of a decentralized double-entry system that requires compound entries to maintain both proprietary and budgetary accounting methods, involving assets, liabilities, operating income and expense, and net worth accounts in addition to the governmental status of budgetary resources, reimbursement, and revenue capturing accounts.
• Reviews and revisions as necessary, the methods and procedures of the Accounting Section with streamlining, improving, and simplifying the existing system.
• Coordinates modifications made of the automated data processing system to conform to modern versions of computers and related technology, such as, the use of computer remote terminals for teleworking, automating macro enabled excel tools and dB tools to manage voluminous amounts of financial data.
• Monitors the operation of the data processing systems interface for information exchange between FMS, CASCA, MCCF, IFCAP, CAPPS, eCMS, IPPS, and PAID.
• Institutes methods of controls over work processed to minimize errors and monitors processing and reconciliations.
• Responsible for systems and processing continuity between these multiple platforms to ensure the timely recording of all accruals, journals, payments, invoicing, and delivery order systems to maintain accurate balances.
• Provides for synchronization of all Medical Center financial, cost and allotment accounting records for each program.
• Performs test audits to determine validity and accuracy of accounting records and application of accounting controls, adopting the system to fit special circumstances encountered, and where appropriate, make final decisions on technical accounting matters or problems involving the application of a comprehensive knowledge of accounting and the functions and responsibilities of the VA and this medical center.
• Responsible to review all monthly financial data regarding; General Post Funds (GPF), Personal Funds of Patients (PFOP), plant, property, and equipment (PP&E) for congruency and between the AEMS/MERS, Fixed Asset Program (FAP), and Financial Management System (FMS), Agent Accountability, all monthly abnormal balances in the standard general ledger (SGL), receivables, payables, undelivered orders, and the reconciliations related thereto.
• Interprets such records in verbal contacts and has responsibility for the accurate compilation, preparation and timely submission of all financial reports and statistics.
• Advises management of efficient document flow and payments, manual requirements, and problem areas to ensure compliance with the Prompt Payment Act based on procurement type.
• Guides, reviews, and validates reviews of the financial quality assurance, responds to external and internal audits, inspections, visits, and inquiries made by the GAO, OIG, MQAS, FAO, and congressionals regarding balances, activities, processes, or findings and recommendations to data or methods regarding financial activity.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Accountant/PD03363-0

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work is principally sedentary with some lifting, carrying, bending and other general movements required in an office setting. Filing may demand some kneeling or the use of stepstools. The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment.
• Must pass a pre-placement physical evaluation.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/21/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

Individual Occupational Requirement: Applicants who meet the Individual Occupational Requirements described below are fully qualified for the specified entry grade and must also meet the specialized experience and/or education requirements.

• 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
• 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; or
  • 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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below. (NOTE IOR MUST also be met)

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:
  • Experience supervising a multi-level accounting team including professional accountants, interns, and accounting technicians, with responsibility for workload direction and resource allocation.
  • Demonstrated skill ensuring compliance with federal accounting policies and regulations, including oversight of complex financial processes and internal controls.
  • Hands-on experience with resource commitment and fiscal decision-making within a VA or federal financial environment.
  • Proven ability to manage high-complexity accounting operations, including voucher examination, agent cashier activities, and financial quality assurance reviews.
  • Experience coordinating cross-functional financial activities with stakeholders (e.g., transportation assistants, quality assurance officers, cashiers).

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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.

Benefits

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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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.