Accountant

About the role

The Accountant supports the Health Care System Chief Financial Officer and Accounting Section Supervisor. The employee performs duties consistent with accounting principles, standards, and related requirements prescribed by the Controller General of the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Apply established principles, techniques, and theories of accounting to the finance operation in a professional manner
• Classify, record, control, report, and analyze financial data to show the cost of carrying out responsibilities, provide a basis for financial planning, and provide data for evaluating performance
• Render technical advice on all phases of accounting matters including the analysis and interpretation of pertinent accounting data
• Provide technical advice on the form and content of financial statements for use by local management
• Conduct analysis of initial or irregular transactions which present accounting procedural problems
• Develop appropriate methods of accounting for transactions not sufficiently covered by existing procedures consistent with established guidance
• Conduct periodic internal and external audits and other reports
• Evaluate and recommend new controls or the deletion of present controls which may be ineffective
• Perform reviews of accounting transactions and financial audits
• Prepare financial reports
• Receive documents for obligation against appropriated funds
• Reconcile accounts by comparing balances with related data to assure agreement
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Basic Requirement for Series 0510: A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher) in 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. 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 one of the following: Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 semester hours of business law; or 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;
• 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. Qualifying specialized experience includes: Drafting simple instructions to describe internal accounting procedures; Providing systems analysis, advice, & design regarding financial management and accounting systems; Taking corrective action on financial system issues or reporting errors; Analyzing general ledger accounts to ensure accuracy of reports.

Benefits

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements—seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.