Accountant

Summary This position is located within the National Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP). The incumbent supports the financial integrity of a nationwide pharmacy program through financial analysis, reconciliations, accounting systems review, and reporting to support management decisions and maintain strong internal controls. Learn more about this agency Duties Help At the full performance level, major duties include, but are not limited to: Prepares, reviews, and reconciles financial records, ensuring accuracy of appropriated fund accounts, cost centers, budgets, and general ledger activity. Performs financial analysis and provides accounting guidance to CMOP and VA leadership, identifying discrepancies and ensuring compliance with accounting standards, VA policy, and Federal regulations. Assists in developing, monitoring, and executing the annual budget, analyzing resource utilization, and preparing reports on funds, obligations, and expenditures. Conducts internal control reviews and supports audit readiness by assessing compliance, preparing documentation, and recommending improvements to strengthen financial processes. Provides customer service to internal and external stakeholders by responding to inquiries, explaining accounting procedures, and using automated financial systems to manage and validate transactions.

Promotion Potential:

The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Telework:

This position may be authorized for telework on an Ad-Hoc basis. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual:

This position may be filled as virtual (i.e. the employee may work at a VA facility or VA-leased space other than the facility that is hiring the employee and may include telework on an ad-hoc basis). Position Description/PD#: Accountant/ PD02991A, PD02989A, and

PD05621A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:

Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Help Conditions of employment 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. 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 dentification 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. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/22/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement GS-12 : 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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. Time-In-Grade Requirement GS-11 : 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. Time-In-Grade Requirement GS-09 : 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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 and/or education as described below:

Individual Occupational Requirements:

All applicants must possess one of the following in order to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

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. 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. Specialized Experience, GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-09 level, you must meet 3 of the 5 experiences listed below:. Performing basic accounting tasks such as reviewing transaction data, verifying account balances, or assembling financial information. Assisting in researching financial discrepancies or gathering information for reconciliation. Preparing draft accounting worksheets, reports, or supporting documentation. Using automated accounting systems to enter, track, or retrieve financial information. Communicating with customers or staff to obtain basic financial information or clarify routine questions.

OR, Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree, if related .

OR, Combination:

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level directly related to the Accountant position. Specialized Experience, GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet 4 of the 7 experiences listed below: Assisting with the review and analysis of accounting records or financial transactions. Reconciling fund accounts, cost centers, or general ledger entries under supervision. Preparing portions of accounting reports, audit documentation, or financial statements. Identifying discrepancies in financial data and recommending routine corrective actions. Assisting with the preparation or analysis of budget reports or expenditure information. Using automated accounting systems to retrieve, verify, or validate financial transactions. Providing customer service to internal customers regarding routine accounting or budget information..

OR Education:

Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. Applicants must have successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree OR Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree.

OR Combination:

Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level directly related to the Accountant position.. Specialized Experience, GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. To be minimally qualified for this position at the GS-12 level, you must meet 4 of the 7 experiences listed below: Analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating financial data to support management decision-making. Reconciling appropriated fund accounts and cost centers to financial statements, budgets, and related reports. Reviewing and maintaining accounting systems and internal controls to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Preparing or reviewing audit documentation and supporting financial reviews or audits. Researching and resolving unusual or complex financial transactions or discrepancies. Conducting budget execution activities, including preparing reports on obligations, expenditures, staffing levels, and workload. Using automated accounting systems (such as the Financial Management System, Integrated Funds Distribution, Control Point Activity, Accounting and Procurement System, or similar systems) to monitor and validate financial transactions. 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/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note:

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Reasonable Accommodation (RA)

Requests:

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation)

Leave :

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well-qualified:

applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Expand Hide additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.