Summary

Joining the Secret Service, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Division will allow you to assist with the execution of strong financial stewardship of the agency's resources, provide exceptional service and transparency to our stakeholders, and administer guidance and oversight for financial matters in support of the agency's investigative and protective mission.

For definitions of terms found in this announcement, please click here.

Duties

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The selectee will serve as an Accountant in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Financial Management Division. Typical work assignments include:

• Applies comprehensive knowledge of analysis and reporting requirements, work processes, and accounting system structure and data to resolve significant accounting problems. Generates monthly and year-end accruals. Ensures that proprietary and budgetary general ledger accounts are reconciled monthly to the supporting subsidiary records in Travel Oracle Prism Sunflower (TOPS) and that any differences are researched and corrected.
• Identifies and acts upon areas (e.g., Treasury Disbursing Office (TDO), Agency Tax, Over-the-Counter Channel Application (OTCnet) / Fedwire deposits, payroll, foreign disbursements, Intragovernmental Payment and Collections (IPAC), and budget appropriations) that may result in changes to existing systems, provides solutions to control and reporting problems, and determines the actions required to improve operating program effectiveness while maintaining the integrity of financial and accounting information.
• Advises other financial or budget analysts throughout the agency and/or other agencies on issues that involve applying or tailoring methods and procedures to a variety of situations. Advises management on changes to functional or program workflow practices or procedures, improved internal controls, redesigned reports or faster consolidation of data, and ways to reduce costs or improve operations.
• Reviews and analyzes the general ledger and determines corrective actions to reconcile accounting records with accounts receivable supporting documentation. Out-processes USSS employees by certifying the resolution of employee debts prior to their departure from USSS through completion of the Employee Separation Clearance (SSF-3106). Seeks out and validates TOPS entries related to reimbursable agreements for consolidation into bills for collection.

Apply for this exciting opportunity to impact the agency's mission by planning, developing, and carrying out vital management and accounting policies, programs, and initiatives that are essential to the Secret Service's financial operations and audit readiness. This Accountant position starts at a salary of $102,415, GS-12 step 1 with promotion potential $158,322, GS-13 step 10.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service

If selected for this position, you will be required to:

• Obtain and maintain a Top-Secret Tier 5 clearance. For more information visit OPM Mythbuster Page.
• Submit a credit check after a conditional offer of employment has been accepted.
• Submit to a drug test prior to your appointment and random drug testing while you occupy the position.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may 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;
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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

Qualifications

To be considered qualified for this position you must meet the following qualification requirements for the respective grade level in which you are applying.

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the Basic Requirements AND Minimum Qualification requirements as listed below:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

A. Successfully completed a degree in accounting. (Note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to provide your transcript will result in an ineligible rating.)

OR

B. Successfully completed a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance or public administration, which included at least 24 semester hours in accounting or auditing. (The 24 semester hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.) (Note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to provide your transcript will result in an ineligible rating.)

OR

C. At least four 4 years of experience in accounting or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training, in addition to meeting one of the following criteria:

1. Completed 24 semester hours of college-level accounting or auditing courses, which can include up to 6 semester hours of business law.
2. Certified through written examination as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.
3. Completed the requirements for a degree that included substantial coursework in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but less than the 24 semester hours required in 'B' above and have successful work experience in accounting, auditing, or a related field such as valuation engineering or financial institution examining that together demonstrate (1) a good knowledge of accounting and underlying fields and (2) a level of experience equivalent to the full performance level of the job being filled. (Note: you must attach a copy of your transcripts. Failure to provide your transcript will result in an ineligible rating.)

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE, YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

You qualify for the GS-12 level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level performing duties such as:

• Reviewing and analyzing accounting documents, reports, policies and procedures involving a range of federal appropriations and accounts within one or more financial systems or subsystems.
• Resolving significant accounting system issues.
• Reconciling proprietary and budgetary general ledger accounts.
• Advising management regarding the financial status of various funds, accounting operations, internal control/policy responsibilities, accounts receivable/debt collection tasks.

You qualify for the GS-13 level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level performing duties such as:

• Reviewing and analyzing the general ledger and determining corrective actions to reconcile accounting records.
• Working with Systems Accountants on the resolution of accounting system issues arising from factors such as changes in legislation, regulations and accounting standards.
• Ensuring that the accounting process, systems, and documentation are sufficient to validate accurate balances as reported in the financial statements.
• Managing the U.S. Standard General Ledger (USSGL), by conducting research (i.e., review account proposals).

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to current competitive service employees applying for a Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. NOTE: All current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their SF-50, "Notice of Personnel Action" that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. The SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure (1 or 2), and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to comply.

The qualification requirements listed above must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Education

For positions with an education requirement, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or equivalent. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted that includes your name, the name of the educational institution, course title(s), number of credits, grade, and date of completion. An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

Additional information

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.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.

Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

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.