Accountant - Mid Level (Maryland)

The National Security Agency is seeking highly skilled and experienced accountants to lead critical financial management operations within a dynamic and mission-focused environment. In this pivotal role, you will manage a professional accounting team while overseeing the preparation of the Agency's annual financial statements, ensuring compliance with federal accounting standards and regulations including OMB Circular A-123 and A-136. As a subject matter expert in Federal Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) pronouncements, particularly in Property, Plant & Equipment standards, you will provide authoritative guidance on complex accounting matters, lead audit support efforts, and drive the development and completion of corrective action plans to strengthen internal controls. This position offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge financial systems, leverage emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence tools, and directly contribute to the financial integrity and mission success of one of the nation's most vital intelligence organizations. The ideal candidate will combine technical accounting expertise with strong leadership abilities, critical thinking and analysis, and a commitment to excellence in federal financial management. Degree must be in accounting or in any field with at least 24 semester credit hours of accounting.

Relevant experience must be working within the accounting career field (for example, using financial data to plan for future opportunities and minimize risk, recording and analyzing financial data and transactions, monitoring financial systems operations for legal compliance and internal control purposes).

FULL PERFORMANCE

Entry is with a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. As an Accountant at the NSA, you will be instrumental in administering and remediating a wide array of critical accounting work streams, using the PeopleSoft financial system.

Responsibilities of an Accountant include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting in the preparation of and ensuring the accuracy of components of the Agency's annual financial statements, including all required supplementary information and disclosures, in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-136.
• Providing subject matter expertise on Federal Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and have knowledge of Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) pronouncements.
• Supporting the Agency with requirements from internal and external auditors for financial statement audits. Leading the development and implementation of comprehensive corrective action plans to resolve audit findings and enhance internal controls.
• Overseeing the design, implementation, and assessment of internal controls over financial reporting in compliance with OMB Circular A-123. Ensuring adherence to all applicable laws and regulations governing federal financial management.
• Developing, implementing, and maintaining Agency-wide accounting policies and procedures to ensure consistent and compliant financial operations across all programs.
  
  

Note: 24 semester credit hours in accounting is REQUIRED to be considered for this position and will be validated during the hiring process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to upload their transcripts. The ideal candidate should have a desire for continual learning and possess strong communication, problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills. Candidates will be required to:

• Leverage Federal accounting experience (strongly preferred for experienced-level positions), including familiarity with federal financial management regulations, systems, and reporting requirements.
• Authorize, record, classify, and summarize economic events to maintain accurate financial records and support decision-making processes.
• Apply critical thinking to analyze and record complex, non-routine transactions requiring specialized accounting treatment and professional judgment.
• Perform comprehensive reconciliations of reporting and accounting entries to ensure data integrity and accuracy across financial systems and statements.
• Utilize specialized software packages for tasks such as inventory management, financial management (PeopleSoft), equipment diagnostics, and other specialized functions.
• Demonstrate proficiency in spreadsheet and relational database software, such as Microsoft Excel and Access, to manipulate and analyze financial data.
• Apply advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, complex formulas, data validation, and financial modeling.
• Incorporate Artificial Intelligence tools to support data analysis, enhance efficiency, and streamline accounting processes.
• Collaborate effectively as part of a team and provide assistance to coworkers, subordinates, and other employees when needed.