Accountant

BASIC REQUIREMENT for the Accounting Series GS-0510:

1. 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

2. 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.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements described above, applicants must also meet the following:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

Specialized Experience GS-09: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-07] in 2 of 4 of the following areas:

1. Preparing or reviewing month end or year end journal entries.
2. Reconciling account balances or presenting variance explanations to management.
3. Reviewing and analyzing data, identifying errors or formulating questions.
4. Applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or providing guidance to non-finance stakeholders.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Two (2) years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: I have a combination of education and experience as described above to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Specialized Experience GS-11: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-09] in 2 of 4 of the following areas:

1. Preparing or reviewing month end or year end journal entries.
2. Reconciling account balances or presenting variance explanations to management.
3. Reviewing and analyzing data, identifying errors or formulating questions.
4. Applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or providing guidance to non-finance stakeholders.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: I have a combination of education and experience as described above to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Specialized Experience GS-12: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-11] in 3 of 4 of the following areas:

1. Preparing or reviewing month end or year end journal entries.
2. Reconciling account balances or presenting variance explanations to management.
3. Reviewing and analyzing data, identifying errors or formulating questions.
4. Applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or providing guidance to non-finance stakeholders.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.