Accountant, GS-510-13 (Closes 9/13/06)

DUTIES: As a technical authority in one or more specialized areas of accounting, the incumbent is responsible for: analysis of assigned organization operations; providing advice and guidance to assigned programs concerning accounting, financial and programmatic actions; designing, preparing and interpreting a variety of accounting and financial reports for the Smithsonian programs and business activities; preparing and reconciling accounts and activities for both managerial guidance; solving difficult problems in maintaining the accounting system; participating in accounting systems development and operation; making recommendations for modifications based on the need for new procedures or as a result of new regulations; analyzing and interpreting regulations and developing or revising policies; and coordinating with and interpreting the regulations and procedures of other Federal agencies and outside professional accounting and auditing organizations.
REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS: Basic Requirements: A. Degree in 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 semester hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. OR B. Combination of education and experience—at least 4 years experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Specialized experience is defined as experience which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position described above.

NOTE: The Smithsonian does not recognize academic degrees from schools that are not accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the Department of Education. Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

In addition to the qualifications described above, applicants will be further evaluated by Selective and Quality Ranking Factors. Applicants are strongly encouraged to specifically address the factors described below.

Selective Factors: (Applicants must meet all of these mandatory requirements in order to be considered qualified to compete for a position.)
1. Skill in preparing financial reports.
2. Skill in analyzing various general ledger reports and account balances
3. Skill in writing and implementing financial operational procedures.
Quality Ranking Factors: (These factors are not mandatory to be considered for a position, but will be used to determine who are the highest qualified candidates among those who meet the selective factors.)
1.Skill in examining documents, records, and accounting reports and processes to assure conformance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), operating procedures, and revised regulations.
2.Skill in applying accounting policies and procedures.
3.Ability to use PeopleSoft Financial Reporting System.

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All candidates may apply including disabled individuals with eligibility under a special appointing authority and veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active service. (If a competitive list of eligibles is requested, the applications of non-status candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for the position will be referred to the Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) for consideration. Status candidates and candidates eligible under a special appointing authority, who wish to be rated under both merit placement and DEU's competitive procedures, must submit two complete applications. If only one application is received, it will be considered under the merit placement program.) The Smithsonian provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the application/hiring process, please call (202) 275-1102 (voice) or (202) 275-1110 (TTY).
NOTE: RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID.

How to Apply:

1.The Smithsonian Institution does not require a standard application form, but we need certain information to evaluate your qualifications. You may apply using a resume, the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), or any other written application form you choose. See page 3 for further instructions.

2.Clearly describe in your resume or application your work experience, education and/or training as it relates to this vacancy. It is very important that you fully address how your work experience and education/training meet both the specialized experience requirement and the selective factors. This information will be used to determine whether or not you are qualified for this vacancy. Selective factors establish qualifications to be eligible to compete for the position. Quality Ranking Factors are not mandatory but are used to determine who are the highest qualified candidates among those eligible to compete for the position. Therefore, it is to your benefit to provide a full description of your experience, education/training relative to the job requirements of this vacancy.

3.Current Federal employees should submit a copy of their most recent annual performance appraisal and a copy of most recent complete SF-50.

Applications must be received by the closing date and may be submitted in the following ways:

Mail: Smithsonian Institution, Office of Human Resources, P. O. Box 50638, Washington, DC 20091.
Fax: 202-275-1114
Hand Deliver or FEDEX: 750 Ninth Street, N. W. Suite 6100, Washington, DC.

To obtain information on the Federal Hiring Process, hear about other Smithsonian vacancies, request vacancy announcements, or an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612) call our automated Jobline on (202) 287-3102 (accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week). Or review our vacancies on-line at www.si.edu/ohr or www.usajobs.opm.gov.

For further information please call (202) 275-1102 (voice) or (202) 275-1110 (TTY).