Accountant

This position is part of the WAPA Headquarters. As an Accountant, you will accomplish a variety of professional accounting work requiring application of accounting theories, concepts, principles, and standards to Western Area Power Administration financial activities.

This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants. See Additional Information section.

Qualifications:

Applicants MUST meet both the Basic Requirement and Specialized Experience as outlined below for each grade level.

BASIC REQUIREMENT:
A. 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-
B. 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:

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.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

• To qualify for the GS-07: Applicants must have either:
  • One (1) year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement -OR-
  • One (1) year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include:
    • Assisting with preparing financial reports or journaling entries.
• To qualify for the GS-09: Applicants must have either:
  • Two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree -OR-
  • One (1) year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include (2) of the (3) following:
    • Conducting queries, analyzing, and reconciling account balances, processing corrections if required and incorporating results into financial reporting process assignments.
    • Preparing financial reports and account analysis or journaling entries in ledger.
    • Presenting financial data in graphic, written or oral form.
• To qualify for the GS-11: Applicants must have either:
  • Three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. -OR-
  • One year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include (2) of the (3) following:
    • Resolving and/or providing advice on accounting problems;
    • Prepares, reviews, and/or approves journal entry adjustments;
    • Analyzes financial data to provide accurate financial information.
• To qualify for the GS-12: For the GS-12 level, education cannot be substituted for experience. Applicants must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the GS-11 grade level or equivalent pay band. This experience MUST include (2) of the (3) following:
  • Compile data to process and/or prepare financial statements;
  • Performing financial analysis to ensure accuracy or identify issues;
  • Develop and/or implement financial policies or procedures.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Salary : $50,460