Lead Accountant

Summary

The Lead Accountant position is located at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Veteran Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Salisbury VA Medical Center (VAMC), Finance Service. NOTE: Applicants who applied to previous Vacancy Announcement 12964380 Lead Accountant must reapply to this Vacancy Announcement 12982414 to receive further consideration.

Duties

• The Lead Accountant is responsible for providing leadership to lower graded Accountants, Accounting Technicians and an Agent Cashier/Teller within Finance Service.
• Ensures that the organization’s strategic plan, mission, vision and values are communicated to the team and integrated into the team’s strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, work products and services.
• Additional duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Leads the team in identifying, distributing and balancing workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established workflow, skill level and/or occupational specialization.
• Adjusts workflow to accomplish the workload in accordance with established priorities to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned team tasks.
• Ensure that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product.
• Articulates and communicates to the team the assignment, project, problem to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and/or program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion.
• Trains or arranges for the training of team members in methods and techniques of team building and working in teams to accomplish tasks or projects and provide or arrange for specific administrative or technical training necessary for accomplishment of individual and team tasks.
• Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checking on work in progress and reviewing completed work to see that the supervisor’s instructions on work priorities, methods, deadlines and quality have been met.
• Represents the team in dealings with the supervisor or manager for the purpose of obtaining resources (e.g., computer hardware and software, use of overtime or compensatory time), and securing needed information or decisions from the supervisor on major work problems and issues that arise.
• Reports to the supervisor periodically on team and individual work accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks and work processes, and individual and team training needs.
• Accounting Operations Enters and reviews Integrated Funds Distribution, Control Point Activity, Accounting, and Procurement (IFCAP), Financial Management System (FMS) and Governmental Invoicing System (GINV Prod) transactions recorded throughout the various software FMS systems, Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture (VistA) and GINV Prod) to assure accuracy and uniformity of appropriation charges and accounting concepts applied.
• Provides accounting expertise and fiscal services to subordinates as well as department, top management and/or VA Central Office (VACO) financial management.
• Provides FMS, IFCAP, and Fund Management training to accounting technicians, control point officials, service/service line chiefs, and fund control clerks throughout the Medical Center.
• Verifies payment disbursements, traces cancelled and improper billing as well as generating bills for debt collections as required by VA and VHA financial policies.
• Audits and Reconciliations Monitors unfavorable trends or deviations and suggests necessary corrective action.
• Manages processing and inputting of reconciliations and audits as directed by the Centralized Finance Service (CFS).
• Directs the preparation, reviews and analyzes reconciliation reports.
• These reports consist of the trail balances, operation of personnel quarters, Real Property Reports, accounts payable, accounts receivable, undelivered orders, Credit Card System and cost reports for all FMS, IFCAP, and Personnel and Accounting Integrated Data (PAID) systems.
• Responsible for the maintenance, reconciliation and auditing of accounts in a general ledger covering the full range of assets, liabilities, income, expense, cost accounting and budgeting.
• Responsible for compilation of cost data to develop reports, the accuracy of which has a major impact on the budgetary process for the Medical Center, and which are used as a main tool by the agency to allocate resources within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
• Maintains and performs monthly reconciliation of various general ledger accounts with related subsidiaries for various independent appropriations, including revolving funds, fund accounts, construction and grant accounts.
• Assures accounting data, computerized cost accounting reports and trial balances are in balance.
• Maintains the overall controls for expenditure accounting.
• Determine transactions are properly processed.
• Analyzes and views reports to assure they are in balance, that the data is valid and that they adhere to prescribed regulatory manuals and procedures.
• Work Schedule: Full time, 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Position Description/PD#: Lead Accountant/PD502410 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 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 period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Accountability Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork USA Hire Assessments include a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies.

You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more.

Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).
• You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification
• Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans’ Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans’ Preference rules do not apply.
• Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
• Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
• It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons.
• Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted.
• HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.
• HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties.
• VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.
• HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.
• HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students.
• HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
• Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion.
• The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.
• Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.