Accounting Technician

Summary

The Accounting Technician serves within the Finance Service at a VISN 5 Medical Center, providing technical accounting support, processing financial transactions, and maintaining accurate accounting records in accordance with VA policy. Performs account maintenance, reconciliations, and analysis using VA automated financial systems, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, internal controls, and established accounting procedures.

Duties

• Accounting Transaction Processing and Financial System Support Processes payments, cost transfers, journal vouchers, adjustments, and Accounts Payable actions using VA automated financial systems. Reviews transactions for accuracy, completeness, proper classification, and compliance with applicable guidance. The incumbent independently resolves routine and recurring accounting discrepancies, including FMS rejects, cancelled payments, and banking-related issues by reviewing system error codes, correcting data elements, validating information, and initiating reprocessing actions. Determines the appropriate corrective action when automated accounting systems generate rejects or errors that are not resolved through standard processing steps. Resolves classification issues by identifying the appropriate appropriation, general ledger account, or transaction code using established accounting guidance. Handles non-routine or unusual transactions when applicable precedent or guidance exists and must be interpreted or adapted to the specific situation. Independently researches and resolves complex discrepancies involving multiple funds, fiscal years, contract modifications, and system-generated errors by tracing transactions through available audit trail sources such as FMS, IFCAP, IPPS, and related financial systems. Reconciliation and Account Maintenance Performs reconciliations of general ledger, subsidiary, and control accounts. Researches, analyzes, and resolves discrepancies by reviewing source documentation, validating transaction history, correcting accounting data, and ensuring accurate posting. Interprets available transaction history, supporting documentation, and system records to reconstruct incomplete accounting information and determine the source of discrepancies. Identifies unexplained variances, negative balances, unbalanced subsidiary accounts, and other irregularities through reconciliation activities and report reviews. Conducts root cause analysis and initiates corrective actions within established authority. Financial Analysis, Reporting, and Internal Controls Monitors system reports and financial data to identify discrepancies, document findings, and recommend corrective actions. Advises the Supervisory Accountant regarding technical, procedural, or interna control issues. Identifies recurring discrepancies and potential internal control gaps and recommends process improvements, such as refinements to SOP practices, invoice review workflows, and documentation processes. Recommendations are submitted to the supervisor for review and approval. Analyzes transactions involving multiple appropriations, fiscal years, cost centers, or accounting classifications where established procedures require adaptation. Identifies recurring processing issues and recommends revisions to procedures, job aids, or internal controls through supervisory guidance. Cashier Operations and Customer Service Support Serves as an alternate Teller or Agent Cashier when assigned, assisting with the custody, accountability, and disbursement of government funds. Ensures compliance with VA cash-handling regulations, documentation requirements, security procedures, and established internal controls. Communication and Coordination Interacts with Fiscal staff, vendors, program offices, and external stakeholders to resolve accounting issues, obtain documentation, and provide financial guidance. Ensures clear communication regarding payment status, reconciliation requirements, accounting procedures, and financial documentation needs. OTHER DUTIES Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday Telework: AD-HOC as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Accounting Technician/PD2603190 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/21/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-06. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience as described below: GS-07 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-06 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Accounting Operations - Examines, verifies, and maintains financial accounts and accounting data. Classifies accounting transactions including the verification of the accuracy and completeness of accounting data. Determines the general ledger accounts, journals, and subsidiary accounts affected. Determines the nature of errors and makes adjustments in the correct appropriation to a variety of interrelated accounts. Attention to Detail - Assures funds management to numerous, separate fund control points. Reconciles accounting systems output with input for accuracy. Researches, interprets, and verifies which appropriation and general ledger accounts a document and subsequent accounting transactions will affect; establishes routines for input of these transactions. Reviews pending items and ensures that follow-up action is taken on all items pending for excessive periods of time. Reviews pending items and ensures that follow-up action is taken on all items pending for excessive periods of time. Accounting - Maintains, audits and reconciles the general and subsidiary ledger accounts, for the preparation of accurate and timely reports, and for the control of funds. Summarizes transactions and prepares control documents or other posting documents reflecting the entries to be made. Prepares reconciliations of the general ledger to subsidiary accounts, accruals, adjusting journal entries, accounting reports and special reports. Maintains control of funds obligated and funds expended. Ensures the timely preparation of all reports as requested for various departments and local management. Best qualified applicants will meet the following criteria in addition to the minimum qualifications for this position: Experience processing and reviewing diverse financial transactions - such as payments, adjustments, journal entries, and account updates - with accuracy, proper classification, and compliance with applicable policies and standards. Demonstrated ability to analyze, maintain, and reconcile financial accounts, identify discrepancies, research underlying causes, and implement timely corrective actions within automated financial systems. Basic understanding of general ledger structure, accounting principles, regulatory requirements, and internal controls, with the ability to interpret guidelines and apply judgment to non-routine financial situations. Experience reviewing, verifying, and processing invoices, ensuring proper documentation, accuracy, compliance with payment standards, and timely resolution of pending items or errors. Effective communication skills for collaborating with colleagues, vendors, or stakeholders to resolve financial discrepancies, obtain needed information, explain procedural requirements, and support reporting or audit activities. Physical Demands / Work Environment - Work is primarily sedentary, involving sitting, computer use, and document review with occasional light lifting. Work is performed in a typical office setting requiring normal safety precautions. Workload may fluctuate based on accounting cycles and operational needs. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online questionnaire and submission of the required documentation 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. To preview the application questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13064981. The application process is as follows: To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. 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, 09/21/2026. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. NOTE: Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. 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: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to. 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. Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. Resumes longer than two pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job. Resumes should include information relevant to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies of the position to which you are applying. VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed. Resumes must be legible so they can be reviewed for eligibility, minimum qualifications and other position requirements listed in the job announcement. Your resume must be 5MB or less. We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages. We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX). We do not accept PDF portfolio files. We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches. Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume. The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started. Helpful Hints for Creating a Two-Page Resume: Prioritize most relevant and recent experience Use concise, results focused language Align language from the job announcement Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies Remove outdated or unrelated experience Use the USAJOBS resume builder Additional guidance on this new requirement and resume building tools can be found at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit