Lead Accountant

Summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.

Duties

• This position is located in the Accounting Division, Office of Financial Management (OFM), Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, United States Capitol Police (USCP). OFM consists of the staff from the immediate office of the Director, Accounting, Budget, Accounts Payable & Travel Reimbursement, and Financial Systems Divisions. OFM plans and directs the financial activities of USCP, to include budget development and execution, and all activities related to financial management and accounting. The purpose of this position is to serve as the lead accountant responsible for sustaining compliance with financial management laws and regulations that apply to USCP. The incumbent develops and maintains an integrated accounting and financial management system for USCP that includes financial reporting and internal controls, which complies with applicable accounting principles, standards, and internal control standards. Provides for complete, reliable, consistent, and timely information prepared on a uniform basis that is responsive to the financial information needs of the Department and provides for the integration of accounting and budgeting information. Serves as a technical expert, providing technical guidance regarding the recording and control of obligations, accounts payable, cost accruals, and disbursements. Independently identifies and implements changes and improvements to internal controls within the Accounting Division and other USCP entities. Provides financial guidance to OFM staff and other USCP organizational units to ensure accurate classification and timely recording of transactions entered directly into the accounting system or systems that are interfaced with the accounting system. Ensures that data maintained in subsidiary ledgers is reconciled with accounting system data on a timely basis. Serves as a Payment Certifying Officer. Provides final review and certification of USCP payments in Treasury's Secure Payment System (SPS). Reviews payment for accuracy and compliance with all legal, regulatory, fiscal appropriations law, and agency policies prior to disbursement by the U.S. Treasury. Provides guidance to other payment certifiers, providing authoritative information regarding payment issues or certification questions.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the education AND experience requirements described below. Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the CP-11 grade level (GS-13 equivalent). Specialized experience includes expert knowledge in recording and controlling obligations, accounts payable, cost accruals and disbursement. In addition, experience in developing, maintaining and implementing accounting policy and procedures to ensure USCP compliance with generally accepted accounting principles that are accurate and consistent with reporting financial data. And This position has a positive education requirement. At the time of application, you must submit a copy of your academic transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed and grades received to verify education. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated, and you may lose consideration for this position. A. Degree: accounting and/or auditing; 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 / auditing. 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 / auditing, or an equivalent combination of accounting / auditing experience, college-level education and training that provided professional accounting / auditing knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following: 1. Twenty-four-semesters’ hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 semester hours of business law; or 2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor that was 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, provided that (a) the applicant 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 have determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting / auditing and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency and level of advancement which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described above; (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting / auditing, the applicant’s education, training and experience fully meet the specified requirements. All eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. (Information on Qualification & Education is located at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/)

Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen. Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Must complete a one-year probationary period. Telework eligible according to agency policy.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. At the time of application, you must submit a copy of your academic transcripts or a list of college courses with credit hours, dates completed and grades received to verify education. If this information is not provided, your education may not be appropriately evaluated, and you may lose consideration for this position. A. Degree: accounting and/or auditing; 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 / auditing. 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 / auditing, or an equivalent combination of accounting / auditing experience, college-level education and training that provided professional accounting / auditing knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following: 1. Twenty-four-semesters’ hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 semester hours of business law; or 2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Government Financial Manager that was 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, provided that (a) the applicant 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 have determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting / auditing and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency and level of advancement which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described above; (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting / auditing, the applicant’s education, training and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

How to apply

Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: USCP Careers 1. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit Application button to submit your application package. 3. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. 4. To verify that your application is complete, log into your account and select the job posting for this position. The page will display the status of your application, the documentation received, and any correspondence the Department has sent related to this application. 5. Failure to provide all required documents and information requested by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application not being considered. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date to receive consideration.