About This Position
This job announcement uses the Subject Matter Expert Panel Assessment to evaluate applicants.
Qualifications
This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position, you must meet one of the basic requirements described below: (1) Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; 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
(2) Candidates may also qualify through a combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor. ALL applicants, including current agency employees, MUST send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position.
Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications.
This position has a Time in Grade requirement: Time-in-Grade: Current or former federal employees who have held a GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time in grade requirement. To be considered for the GS-11, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-9 or higher in the Federal service. To be considered for the GS-12, applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or higher in the Federal service.
This position has a Specialized Experience requirement:
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement for this position, you must also meet the Specialized Experience requirements listed below. GS-11 Specialized experience is defined as: providing professional accounting, finance and reporting services such as analyzing, interpreting or presenting accounting data in support of the maintenance or operation of a cost accounting system AND/OR preparing, reconciling or distributing accounting reports, financial statements and general ledgers for funds accounted for. GS-12 Specialized experience is defined as: independently applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to evaluate and interpret accounting data, financial statements and reports, processes, accounting/financial systems, or effectiveness of internal controls AND/OR providing technical accounting expertise to assist in the design, implementation and assessment of operating systems, procedures, or internal control processes.
You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.
Major Duties
These duties will be developmental in nature and are listed at the full performance level.
Serves as first level Supervisor (Branch Chief) with technical and administrative supervisory responsibilities to include the oversight of subordinate staff performing accounting work.
Supervises functions involving the preparation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of accounting data; the operation, maintenance and modification of systems to meet local needs.
Supervises the use of accounting information to recommend solutions to management problems and satisfy customer needs; and the management, operation and analysis of cost accounting systems.
Directs and coordinates efforts of staff members; provides technical advice regarding accounting issues; and evaluates proposed policies.
Coordinates and implements policy and procedural improvements as warranted to correct identified operational deficiencies.
Coordinates the timely preparation, reconciliation and distribution of accounting reports, financial statements and general ledgers for funds accounted for.
Education
GS-11 Substitution of Education for Experience: Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D.
OR
equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. GS 12 and above: Education is not substitutable for specialized experience at this grade level. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience and/or a basic requirement, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.
You must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html).
How You Will Be Evaluated
IMPORTANT NOTE - YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. ERRORS OR OMISSIONS MAY AFFECT YOUR RATING.You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed by a SME panel on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Accounting Analysis Concepts, Policies and Principles of Accounting Decision Support Financial Management Systems Fundamentals & Operations of Accounting
Additional Information
Moving expenses may be paid. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements. Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.
This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. Travel requirement is Occasional.
This position Is Not covered by a bargaining unit. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level. PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
For grades below the full performance level, only MSP/PPP eligible candidates who currently occupy a formal training program position will be entitled to exercise their priority preference. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here. The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher.
Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment.
Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements. Criminal History Inquiries- For some positions, criminal history inquiries may not take place before you receive a conditional job offer.
Please see Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (dfas.mil) for more information on The Fair Chance to Compete Act, exceptions, and DFAS contact information.
This position requires you to obtain and maintain a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If you are selected, you will have to obtain this certification within two (2) years of your entry on duty in the position unless you are already in a position that requires a Level 2 Certification in which case you must complete the certification within the original 2-year period. Failure to become certified within the required time-frame may be grounds for removal from the position and/or from Federal service.
Information about the DoD FM Certification Program is available at: https://www.dfas.mil/onboarding2/certifications/?
How to Apply
The following link will help you determine if you meet the eligibility to apply for this position: http://www.dfas.mil/careers/howtoapply/vacancyannouncement/appointment-eligibility.html PLEASE
NOTE: You will be considered only for those appointment eligibilities for which you select, attach supporting documentation and are found eligible. Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required assessments, and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
Required Documents
You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Resume: A two-page maximum resume is required. Applicant guidance on the two-page resume requirement may be found at OPM.gov or at USAJ Resource Center.
2.
Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire: Your resume must demonstrate the quality of your work as it relates to the experience requirements outlined in the job announcement.
- Other Supporting Documents.
- If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here. The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status. They must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
- Transcripts and/or Certifications: You must submit documentation if you are substituting education for experience. For additional information on acceptable documents or to see if you must submit documentation click here Transcripts and Certifications.
You must also document your education and/or certifications in your resume.
- SF-50: Current and former federal employees, including current and former DFAS employees, must submit their SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) reflecting their highest grade held on a permanent basis for at least 52 weeks, tenure, and appointment type. Failure to provide this document may result in disqualification.
- Veterans Documentation: Click to review these authorities and documents verifying eligibility for a VEOA, VRA and/or 30% or more disabled veterans hiring authorities.
- Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: Military Spouse Preference applicants, must be selected and placed at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
You must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. To download the checklist, select "Save" or "Save As" instead of "Open." Save the document to your device then open it as a PDF. Once the form is opened, select "Enable All Features" and the form will populate so that it can be completed. https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/dd3000_3499/DD3145-4/ 5.
Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference.
Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
- Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference.
Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
- Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified.
You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference.
Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
- ICTAP Eligibles: A copy of the RIF separation notice and SF-50 if available.
- Other Special Hiring Authorities: Click here to review these authorities and the documentation you are required to submit.
10.
You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume.
Your cover letter will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility. WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) 04/08/2026, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information.
The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.