Accounting Jobs – Adding Up Your Choices

• Dennis Damp
• June 1, 2022

Accountants manage, allocate and monitor financial resources in compliance with laws, regulations and policies, to ensure these resources are efficiently applied to meet organizational goals and objectives. They research, analyze and process information related to accounting transactions/events to ensure completeness and accuracy of data and prepare, review and reconcile financial statements and other reports to meet reporting requirements and to support management decisions.

Accountants apply analysis, cost, forecasting and planning methods, techniques and technology tools sufficient to ensure reports, plans and strategies are consistent with official guidance, and support program goals and initiatives. They may also design, operate, maintain, inspect and improve accounting and related financial systems to extract data, produce reports, implement or review internal controls, resolve problems, improve efficiency and maintain data integrity.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS

The federal government employs 13,283 in this occupation of which 79 work overseas. The DOD is the largest employer of this series with 2,893 accountants, the VA employs 909 and the Department of the Army employs 1,147 civilians in this category. This series is used in all cabinet level departments, most large agencies and many small agencies.

There are currently 730 job announcements for professional and administrative positions open in the accounting, finance, & budget area. Many with multiple vacancies at locations nationwide and overseas.

When you add up the multiple vacancies, you will discover many additional opportunities in this field for you to explore and at locations across the country. There are opportunities for both professional and

OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION

Accountants develop financial information systems in accordance with recognized accounting theory and practices as taught in academic institutions. They observe, interpret, or provide guidance on accounting principles and standards. Accountants in the federal government must meet Treasury Department and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) compilation and reporting requirements, as well as the specific financial information requirements established by legislation. Professional accounting work is creative, analytical, evaluative, or interpretive.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic Requirements:

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 6 hours of credit in business law. (The term “accounting” means “accounting and/or auditing” in this standard. Similarly, “accountant” should be interpreted, generally, as “accountant and/or auditor.”)

OR

A 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:

1. Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law;
2. A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, 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 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.

All federal jobs include comprehensive benefits and a generous retirement plan consisting of a fixed annuity, 401k and Social Security.

JOB VACANCY LISTINGS

The following link will take you to the GS 0510 Job Description that includes links to the current job announcements on USAJOBS.

• Accounting 0510 Jobs

Visit our jobs board to search for all other occupations by job title.

Don’t bypass an opportunity to apply for a federal job for fear of taking a civil service test. Discover which occupations have entrance exam requirements. Most exams have been waived over the years.

Each month we will feature a different occupation. Visit FederalJobs.net regularly to find information about federal jobs in your area.