What are the responsibilities and job description for the COST ACCOUNTANT position at US Army National Guard Units?
Duties
1. Cost Accounting: The incumbent will analyze, examine, and interpret accounting data, records and reports to determine past costs, identify improperly recorded costs, and reallocate cost to ensure they are recorded in proper cost structure. Incumbent will utilize GFEBS to inform managers of the cost of performing various functions associate with Service Level Agreements (SLA) and Service Support Programs (SSP), and assist them in using their funds in a more cost efficient and cost effective manner in support of their goals. Incumbent furnishes advice and assistance to management on accounting and financial management matters, analyzes information, resolves conflicting data, and formulates recommendations for management decisions. Coordinates and integrates analytical activities related to cost accounting and management. Using appropriate costing methodologies, the incumbent develops cost accounting data to provide accurate and timely financial information to satisfy command information requirements and to document full costs of installation activities. Accounting theories, concepts, principles, and standards are used to in internal matters involving regulatory requirements, statutory provisions, in internal matters involving regulatory requirements, statutory provisions, procedures, systems, or problems arising from changes in mission, programs or organizational structure. Monitors and assists in implementation of approved and directed procedural and cost management changes. Evaluates proposed regulatory changes and employee suggestions referred by the USPFO and provides comments and recommendations.
2. Managerial Accounting: Provides accounting advice and recommendations to program managers and the installation staff. Determines, selects, organizes and analyzes appropriate data for the effectiveness and/or efficiency of operations for use in executing performance measurements. Interprets financial management policy and provides guidance to staff elements. Identifies, monitors and reports trends and performance measurements that will aid managers in making financial management decisions. Manages the General Ledger to ensure the reconciliation of all General Ledger Tie Point issues, and taking corrective action to input or reverse spending chain transaction or coordination with the DFAS Tie Point team for GFEBS Tier 2 corrections. Reviews and analyzes General Ledge Abnormal Balances, and takes corrective action to correct, or coordinates with the DFAS General Ledger team for correction. Participates in formal briefings and meetings to provide advice and assistance.
3. Plans, coordinates and performs comprehensive reviews, special studies, and selective internal examinations of USPFO functions pertaining to cost management environment under the General Fund Enterprise Business System (GFEBS) and its interfacing feeder systems (STANFINS/AFCOS, SPS, DTS, DCPS,GCSS-A, ODS, FCM, IATS). Conducts detailed analysis on Interfacing System Information Documents (IDOCs) and takes corrective action to ensure proper system master data allows for proper interfacing. Manages the Interfund process to ensure all transactions are appropriately cleared from the Interfund Uncleared List. Corrective action includes detailed analysis and collaboration with the DFAS Defense Cash Accounting Ability System team and the DFAS del Mar team. Applies a knowledge of military and civilian pay entitlements and allowances and military and civilian travel entitlements; knowledge of the USPFO organization, mission, and functions; a thorough understanding of management, organization, and resources utilization policies and principles, and knowledge of review and analysis techniques including statistical sampling techniques and procedures. Identifies such problems as document flow and controls, inaccurate records and reports, regulatory compliance, conflicts with regulatory guidance, and correctness of payment and accounting for public funds. Analyzes and evaluates findings, determines types of corrective/improvement actions needed, and develops formal reports for submission to the Financial Manager. Recommends changes to procedures and practices covering all functional areas, additional training, and changes in the utilization of resources.
4. Confers with representatives of other local offices/directorates to resolve USPFO problems associated with improper cost management attributable to functions under their jurisdiction. Confers with representative of higher headquarters or other agencies to coordinate scheduled assistance visits, furnish requested data or information concerning completed or ongoing local reviews/projects, respond to questions, provide on-site assistance, discuss identified but not fully resolved problems, and obtain additional information to accomplish required/recommended actions and/or future program efforts. (10%)
5. Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance within one year of hire. Failure to be able to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
- The employee must complete the Financial Management Level two Certification within 24 months of appointment. Failure to be able to obtain the required FM certification may result in the removal from appointment.
- Pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols.
Qualifications
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
(GS-09) - The applicant must have at least three months of finance experiences and present a full range of competencies that demonstrate a working knowledge of accounting program principles and procedures. The applicant must have the knowledge and ability to perform accounting work that includes financial statement and financial related programs. The applicant must have the ability to perform basic accounting principles and conduct business program requirements. The applicant must have experiences and training that demonstrate his or her abilities to follow directions, to read, retain, and understand a variety of instructions, regulations, policies and procedures.
(GS-11) Applicant must have at least 24 months of accounting experiences and competencies that provided knowledge of principles and procedures. Candidate must have an excellent understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the National Guard accounting business program requirements. To qualify for the GS-11 grade, an applicant must have experiences and training that demonstrate the ability to conduct accounting business in accordance with directives and policies; the ability to study and evaluate the existing internal control systems to determine the level of reliability; and, the skills to determine the appropriate procedures needed to validate system reliability. An applicant must have the competency to obtain sufficient reliable evidence through inspection, observation, inquiries, and confirmation to provide a reasonable basis for an opinion regarding the activity under examination. The applicant must has GS-0510 accounting experiences that used statistical and/or judgmental sampling of financial records and management controls to determine the degree of efficiency, economy, and effectiveness in which the activities discharged their financial responsibilities, and/or to determine that the financial records were maintained in accordance with applicable regulations. An applicant's experiences and education must demonstrate his or her ability to follow directions, to read, retain, and understand a variety of instructions, regulations, policies and procedures.
Education
You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.
Positive Education Requirements
1. 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 six hours of credit in business law.
OR
2. Combination of Education and Experience: At least four 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:
1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to six hours of business law;
2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination;
3. Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing. For example, completed 15 semester hours however, the school course work does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour degree requirement as defined above in paragraph one (subject: Degree), provided that:
(a) The applicant successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field for example, valuation engineering or financial institution examining;
(b) A panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors determined that the applicant demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and advancement levels that are normally associated with successful completion of the four-year course of study degree, as described above in Paragraph One; 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.
Additional information
If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov)).
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
Benefits
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.
Review our benefits
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this position. This vacancy announcement will be qualified using Category Rating procedures as defined the Delaware National Guards Merit Placement Plan.
Assessment: Prior to initiating hiring and promoting competitive procedures through USAJOBS for NG T32 Technicians and positions; NG T5 Excepted Service Employees and positions, the JFHQ-State HR specialist must complete a formal job analysis and crediting plan to ensure the position's competencies are correctly assessed.
Numeric Value Groups: The position's multiple numeric groups, defined as at least two groups (see below), are established to assess each candidate against job-related criteria defined by the job analysis and crediting plan. Applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements, established for the position, are placed in a numeric group. The position's job analysis and credit plan's ranking factors are knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that are expected to significantly enhance performance in a position; however, are not essential for satisfactory performance. Applicants who possess such competencies are ranked above those who do not; but, no one is rated ineligible solely for failure to possess all defined competencies.
Highly-Qualified: The numeric value rating normally ranges from 90-100 points. This higher numeric value group is applied for those candidates who possess the type and quality of experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position, including all selective placement factors and appropriate numeric ranking factor(s) as determined by the job analysis and crediting plan. To be Highly Qualified, the candidates are considered, by the human resources specialist (staffing), as highly proficient and fully competent to effectively perform all the job requirements; and, can successfully perform in the position almost immediately, or with a minimum amount of training and/ or orientation.
Well-Qualified: The numeric value group normally ranges from 80-89 points. This next lower numeric value group is used for those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications of the position and are proficient in most, but not all, of the requirements of the position. Candidates may require some training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.
Qualified: The numeric value group normally ranges from 70-79 points. This lowest group is used for those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications of the position and are proficient in some, but not all, of the position's requirements. Candidates will require extensive training and/or orientation in order to satisfactorily perform the position's duties
Benefits
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.
Review our benefits
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.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents: Proof of Veterans Preference (if claiming) & Financial Management Certification (if applicable)If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11874995
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.Agency contact information
Ryan Ratledge
Phone
302-326-7038
Email
ryan.m.ratledge.civ@army.mil
Address
DE United States Property and Fiscal Office
1161 River Road
New Castle, DE 19720
USNext steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates (including Month and Year, e.g., 02/2017, Feb 2017, etc.) of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents: Proof of Veterans Preference (if claiming) & Financial Management Certification (if applicable)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
Federal employees - Excepted service
Current excepted service federal employees.
National Guard & reserves
Current members, those who want to join or transitioning military members.
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Veterans
Clarification from the agency
AREA 1- All presently employed Title 5 Excepted Service Employees within the Delaware National Guard. AREA 2- All presently employed Permanent & Indefinite Title 32 Technicians of the Delaware National Guard AREA 3- All current Traditional Military Members (M-DAY & DSG), Temporary Title 32 Employees, & AGR Members AREA 4- All current State Employees for the Delaware National Guard AREA 5- All personnel eligible for Title 5 Excepted Service Employment for the Delaware National Guard
