About This Position
This position is located in the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Audit Services, Non-Federal Audit and Financial Statement Oversight Team. This team is primarily responsible for assuring that any work performed for financial audits of ED and its programs by independent auditors comply with professional standards and requirements. Such audits include the contracted ED financial statement audit as well as non-Federal audits of ED program participants.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements for Financial Auditors Degree: accounting, auditing; or a degree including auditing courses 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
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 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.
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement above, the incumbent must also meet the minimum qualification requirements below. Minimum Qualification Requirements You may meet the minimum qualifications for the GS-13, if you possess the specialized experience. Specialized experience for the GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or equivalent public or private sector experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the three (3) following duties or work assignments below: Knowledge of practices, methods, and techniques of accounting and auditing, including professional standards, and the ability to develop, modify, or adapt those methods and techniques, in order to perform reviews of audit documentation for non-Federal audits and Federal financial audits, provide technical assistance, and revise audit guidance.
Knowledge of government organizations, programs, activities, and functions, and of the laws, policies, regulations, and precedents governing audits of Federal agencies and non‐Federal entities receiving Federal funds. Knowledge of participatory skills to work in a team environment and the ability to effectively communicate, both orally and writing, with officials at various organizational levels, within and external to the OIG and ED. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) The quality of your experience will be measured by the extent to which you possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs): Strong understanding of auditing and attestation standards, as well as auditing requirements found in the Single Audit Act, Uniform Guidance, Compliance Supplement, ED statutes and regulations, and OIG audit guides.
Ability to work individually and on a team. Ability to provide constructive feedback to peers. Strong understanding of auditing standards, as well as Federal financial auditing requirements found in OMB Bulletins, Treasury guidance, and GAO Financial Audit Manuals.
Ability to provide constructive feedback to peers. Strong understanding of auditing and attestation standards, as well as auditing requirements found in the Single Audit Act, Uniform Guidance, Compliance Supplement, ED statutes and regulations, OIG audit guides, OMB Bulletins, Treasury guidance, and GAO Financial Audit Manuals. Ability to communicate technical advice effectively to various types of audiences.
Major Duties
Fraud doesn't stop, and neither do we. We're the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Office of Inspector General, an independent oversight office within ED charged with identifying and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, and ensuring accountability and effectiveness in ED programs.
If you want to help fight fraud and make a difference for America's students, schools, and taxpayers, we may have the career for you! We offer competitive salaries, opportunities for career growth, great benefits, employee recognition programs, and more. Often referred to as America's watchdogs, it's the OIG's job to help ensure that the hard-earned tax dollars that fund ED programs and operations are used as intended by law, achieve the desired results, and reach the intended recipients.
The OIG conducts audits and reviews of issues involving Federal student aid, K–12 schools, and more. We also conduct criminal and civil investigations into suspected fraudulent activities by schools, colleges, universities, contractors, subcontractors, school officials—any entity or individual that participates in ED programs or receives ED funding. We tackle new and emerging issues head-on and continually work to improve our techniques and capabilities.
We consistently expand our expertise by training and developing our staff. This dedication has enabled the OIG to become a leader in the Federal government in the areas of audits, investigations, and fighting cybercrime. If you're looking for a career rather than just a job and are interested in shaping the next generation of Americans tackling tomorrow's challenges, consider joining our team.
Audit Services is responsible for all audit, inspection, and other activities to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in ED programs and operations. To help facilitate its work and meet its functional requirements, Audit Services employs teams that are aligned to provide oversight of assigned functional areas. As a Financial Auditor at the GS-13 level in the Non-Federal Audit and Financial Statement Oversight Team, the incumbent will perform the following duties: · Review and/or provide oversight of others charged with reviewing—the work of independent auditors or audit organizations conducting non-Federal financial statement audits and financial-related audits to determine whether applicable standards and requirements were followed and whether there was appropriate support for the opinion expressed. · Review and/or provide oversight of others charged with reviewing—the work of independent auditors contracted to perform the annual ED financial statement audit to determine whether applicable standards and requirements, including contract requirements, were followed. · Independently provide accurate and timely audit technical assistance to non-Federal auditors, grant recipients, ED officials, and others, to include developing or assisting in updating audit guidance and presenting on related matters.
Conditions of Employment
Condition of Employment: As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a probationary period or trial 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 OR trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. If you are a current federal employee, you must meet all time-in-grade and time-after competitive appointment qualifications within 30 days of the closing date of this vacancy announcement. To verify that you meet these requirements, we will review your responses to the vacancy questionnaire as well as your submitted resume and required documents.
To make an accurate determination, you will need to include on your resume your federal position title, pay plan, occupational series, grade level, agency, dates for which you held the grade level (stated as MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, OR MM/YYYY to PRESENT), and total hours worked per week. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).
Education
This position has a positive education requirement. Please see Basic Requirements above.
How You Will Be Evaluated
We use a multi-step process to review and evaluate applicants: To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process.
In addition to the application and vacancy questions, this position requires an online assessment. Eligibility and Minimum Qualifications Once the vacancy announcement closes, we will review your submitted resume and documents to determine if you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, including any required education, experience, and/or selective placement factors.
You will be rated as ineligible if you are outside of the area of consideration (i.e., who may apply) or your application is missing any required documents.
You will be rated as not qualified if you do not possess the minimum qualification requirements. If you are found to meet both the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements, you application will be referred to a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Resume Review Panel. SME Resume Review Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review your resume to determine whether you meet the required specialized experience and will assess the quality of your experience and the extent to which you possess the required KSAs by comparing your submitted resume and documents against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. (The vacancy questionnaire is the list of questions in the automated system that you will have an opportunity to answer once you apply for the position).
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the vacancy questionnaire, and the result of the Monster Competency Based Assessment(s) required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Non-Supervisory: Oral Communications, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail and Self-Management. Based on the results of this evaluation, you will receive a numerical score (up to 100 points). If your responses to the evaluation or vacancy questionnaire are not substantiated, you may be removed from further consideration or your application may be deemed incomplete.
Referral and Selection If you are found to be amongst the most highly qualified applicants, you will be referred to the selecting official. As part of the assessment and selection process, the selecting official may invite you to participate in a structured interview, check your references, and/or request that you submit a writing sample or complete a written assessment or exercise to further evaluate your qualifications for this position.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Additional Information
Veterans' Career Counseling: If you are a veteran interested in receiving tips on preparing a Federal resume and/or how to prepare for an interview, you may email [email protected] to schedule a session with a career counselor (“Veterans Counseling Session” should be placed in the subject line of the email). Student Loan Default: If selected for this position, we will verify that you have not defaulted on any loan funded or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education.
If you are found to be in default, we will contact you to make arrangements for repayment prior to making an official offer of employment. Suitability and Investigation: If selected for this position, you will be required to complete the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for federal employment and successfully complete a pre-appointment investigation/background check. Essential/Non-Essential: This position is considered non-essential for purposes of reporting to work during federal government closures.
Selections: Agencies have broad authority under law to hire from any appropriate source of eligibles and may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized. We may make additional selections from this vacancy announcement within 90 days from the date the selection certificates are issued, should vacancies occur. We may also share selection certificates amongst program offices across the agency.
How to Apply
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not already have one) at www.usajobs.gov. Step 2: Create a resume using the USAJOBS resume builder. Ensure that your resume demonstrates your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position.
Step 3: Upload any required documents into your USAJOBS account (must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX)). Step 4: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire and attach any required documents. Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBS transfer into the agency's hiring system.
You will have the opportunity to upload any additional required documents in the agency's hiring system.
Click “Finish” to submit your application.
NOTE: You may update your application or required documents at any time while the announcement is open by logging into your USAJOBS account, clicking on "Application Status," clicking on the position title, clicking "Update Application,” and following the prompts. In order to receive consideration for this position, you must submit your complete application, including all required documents, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If the vacancy announcement has an application limit, we recommend that you submit your complete application at the time of initial application.
We will not accept any required documentation after the closing date of the vacancy announcement. If you have any questions regarding submitting your application, please contact the HR Specialist listed under the Agency Contact Information.
Required Documents
You must submit (REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS): A resume demonstrating your education, experience, training, and accomplishments as it relates to the qualifications for this position. Please limit your resume to 2 pages with the font size no smaller than 10 points. If your resume is more than 2 pages, only the first 2 pages will be reviewed and considered for the qualifications determination. Transcript: This position has a positive education requirement and requires proof of education for eligibility.
You must submit an unofficial transcript that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, major(s), grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
This also applies to ED employees. If you are a current or former federal employee (including current U.S. Department of Education employees), you must also submit: A Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), which demonstrates your competitive status eligibility.
To verify your eligibility, we will review your SF-50 to determine your tenure (block 24) and position occupied (block 34). Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments, promotions, within-grade increases, and pay adjustments. If you currently hold or previously held a federal position at or above the highest grade of this position or you have/had promotion potential at or above the highest grade of this position, you must also submit an SF-50 documenting your highest grade level held or promotion potential.
Examples of sufficient SF-50s include appointments and promotions. A Copy of your most recent Performance Appraisal and Awards, as applicable.
Your performance appraisal and awards are requested to further assess the quality of your experience should your application be referred to the selecting official. If you are claiming eligibility under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA), you must submit: A copy of your DD-214 that shows active service and character of discharge, member copy 4 (Separated Members only); OR A certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days from the date of application (Current Active Duty Members only); AND/OR The Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) AND all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference. If you are claiming eligibility under any Special Hiring Authority, you must submit: Adequate proof of your eligibility (e.g., Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility as a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Documentation of noncompetitive eligibility for employment under Schedule A as a person with severe physical disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, and intellectual disabilities.) Are you claiming special priority selection rights under the Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP)?
If you are a current or former Federal employee who was displaced (for example, due to a Reduction-in-Force) and want priority consideration, you must submit the documents listed below. Required documents for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration (All are required): RIF as the Nature of Action (Box 5B) Career or career-conditional status (Box 24 must be 1 or 2) Competitive status (Box 34 must be 1) Promotion potential or full performance level of the position from which you were or are being displaced. This is likely your appointment SF-50 for that position.
Duty location Proof that you were displaced, such as Reduction-in-Force (RIF) notice or notice of proposed removal. SF-50s (Notification of Personnel Action) showing: Your most recent performance appraisal showing a rating of Fully Successful or higher.
Your Federal position at the time you were displaced must be within the local commuting area for a location listed in this announcement. The definition of local commuting area varies based on duty location and hiring agency policy. To receive priority consideration, you must also be found well-qualified, which means you score 75 or higher based on this announcement's assessment rating criteria.