SummaryThis position is in the Wilmington VA Medical Center's Finance Service. The purpose of this position is to perform the full range of professional accounting work requiring the application of sound accounting principles, theories, concepts, and practices. The accountant must be vigilant in terms of accuracy, timeliness, and reporting requirements of each of the various functions assigned.
DutiesHelp
The following duties include, but are not limited to:
- Maintain and control accounts and accounting transactions in a highly complex finance and accounting system.
- Maintain and input data into the Financial Management System (FMS) integrated and automated double-entry accrual-based accounting system.
- Classify and process transactions that include verifying the accuracy and completeness of the accounting data, compliance with regulations, determining the accounts and subsidiary accounts affected, and determining the entries to be made. The incumbent carefully analyzes each document/transaction to determine the propriety of payment coordinates, resolves discrepancies and/or problems, and corrects rejects promptly.
- Review transactions for timeliness and reasonableness and resolves problematic areas. Verifies that obligations are set up timely and reports all delinquent obligations to the Assistant Financial Officer, taking action to ensure that delinquencies are corrected.
- Ensure that funds are available to cover obligations to prevent anti-deficiency. This includes a review of undelivered orders, accounts payable, accounts receivable, suspense, outstanding travel, travel expense reports, and others.
- Examine accounts to verify their accuracy and the adequacy of supporting data. Researches and analyzes discrepancies or problems noted and determines the corrective entries required to adjust accounts. Also recommends actions to prevent the recurrence of similar discrepancies.
- Responsible for monitoring reported financial indicators by reviewing and taking action based on criteria to achieve a successful rating for the fiscal year. Maintains oversight of the monthly open order process for Wilmington VA, ensuring that service line responses are received, reviewed, and acted on by all parties involved.
- Process cost transfer adjustments between specified cost centers so that accurate costs are charged to the appropriate functional area. Work to clear suspense timely with Consolidated Patient Account Center (CPAC), payroll, etc.
- Prepare the monthly purchase card accrual and bad debt adjustment.
- Complete equipment reconciliation according to VAMC policies and procedures.
- Verify and reconcile accounts receivables.
- Maintain the facility Work in Process (WIP) listing. The incumbent must work closely with engineering and contracting to complete reconciliations, timely capitalization of completed projects, and verify proper end dates on projects.
- Assist other Financial Management Service Line employees, including other accountants, budget, payroll, and Agent Cashiers in researching discrepancies and determining the required entries to correct them.
- Assists in training users in accounting systems and electronic invoicing systems, etc. Incumbent reviews and recommends amendments and changes to training guides and station circulars.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30 pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Accountant/PD01160A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
RequirementsHelp
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 required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
- 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 dentification 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 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/24/2026.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONSDegree: 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 oneof the following:
- Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
- 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSYou may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
GS-09:
Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization..
- Skill in accounting principles, theories concepts, and practices as well as related financial accounting regulations, policies, and procedures is required to ensure the effective operation of source document processing and to ensure the timely legality of funds and advising managers on the efficient flow of documents.
- Able to make clear and convincing oral presentations and written reports to support conclusions and recommendations that are appropriate for the intended audience.
- Skill to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Able to express information in a succinct and organized manner to all levels of the organization.
OR
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-9 level which is completion of two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education or a Master's Degree or equivalent graduate degree which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Accountant. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
OR
Combination Experience/Educatio: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-9 level. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED). Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.
GS-11: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
- Proficient in functional areas in accounting, the work performed in each, and the various appropriations.
- Skill in command organizations to provide guidance to the budget activities in the certification process and to lower-graded accountants on document processing and areas to contact for further research.
- Proficient in automated accounting systems, local procedures, and management reports is required to review regulatory status reports and to provide advice to supervision and accountants in the design or modification of new or changed reports.
- Skill to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Able to express information in a succinct and organized manner to all levels of the organization.
OR
Education: Applicants may substitute education for the experience required for the GS-11 level which is completion of three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Accountant. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
OR
Combination of Education/Experience: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-11 level. Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.
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/.
EducationA 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 informationUnder 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.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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/.
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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.
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