Clarification from the agency

This opportunity is open to U.S. Citizens who are Students enrolled or accepted for enrollment on at least a half-time basis, or accepted for enrollment, and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in a qualifying educational institution; have at least a cumulative (overall) 2.7 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale

The work of this position primarily involves program audits and Congressional testimony. The incumbent, a professional auditor trainee, works with a team leader in a developmental capacity, to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations, programs, and activities applicable to highway and transit system programs. The audits may cover the relevance or appropriateness of program objectives; the extent to which a program achieves a desired level of results; factors inhibiting satisfactory performance; alternatives for carrying out the program; the adequacy of management controls; and the validity and reliability of reported program effectiveness.

The incumbent of this position applies professional accounting and auditing knowledge, standards, and principles in performing an objective and systemic examination of pertinent information and documentation such as records, management reports, management controls, and policies and practices affecting the outcomes and results of highway and transit system programs. The incumbent researches pertinent laws, legislative history, regulations, contracts, and management controls to ascertain the purpose, scope, and objectives of the assigned program or function; the manner in which the program or function is conducted; and the nature and extent of management authority and responsibility for the program or function. As a member of an audit team, the incumbent assists in all phases of audit work - planning the audit, conducting the audit, and preparing the final product.

The incumbent assists higher-level auditors and/or analysts with examining and testing (using statistical and/or judgmental sampling) records and management controls to determine the degree of efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of assigned programs. The incumbent conducts all assigned phases of the audit in accordance with Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS). The standards require the incumbent to study and evaluate the existing system of internal control to determine the level of system reliability; determine those audit procedures required to answer audit objectives in view of the system reliability; and obtain sufficient reliable evidence through inspection, observation, inquiries, and confirmation to provide a reasonable basis for an opinion regarding the program under examination. These tasks are performed under the direction of a higher-level auditor/analyst.

The incumbent assists higher-level auditors/analysts in conducting interviews with employees of the program or activity under review. They also prepare working papers using TeamMate, interview summaries, and briefing materials covering findings for use by team members. This position may also be required to research and assemble supporting documentation for use in the preparation of Congressional testimony.

Long distance travel for moderate periods of time is required for this position.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Enrolled at least half time at a qualifying educational Institution
• Plan to not graduate before Fall 2023 semester
• Must sign a Pathways Student Agreement
• Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
• This position is subject to a background investigation
• Submit complete application online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date
• Males Born after 12-31-1959 must be registered for Selective Service

You must be a current students in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate. Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for GS-07: 

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 level in the federal service. Specialized experience includes assisting higher level staff with performing auditing, accounting, or finance-related work; preparing portions of work papers using automated software; conducting, or participating in interviews; attending meetings to observe and learn interviewing and presentation techniques; and, providing assistance to higher level staff with researching laws, regulations, guidelines, and procedures.

OR

Education: Completed one full academic year of graduate education in accounting or in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration.

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:

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.

OR

Superior Academic Achievement: You possess a degree that is qualifying for this position that meets the criteria for eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision through one of the following methods. No more than 10% of academic credit can be based on pass/fail or similar non-traditional grading systems.

* 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum

* 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

(Grade-point averages will be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9)

* Upper 1/3 ranking in graduating class (you must submit proof with your application)

* National Scholastic Honor Society. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. (You must submit proof with your application)

NOTE: ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE COPY OF THEIR TRANSCRIPTS. DEGREE AUDITS ARE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE FOR OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.  IF SELECTED, AN OFFICIAL/SEALED TRANSCRIPT WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO AN APPOINTMENT DATE BEING ESTABLISHED.

IF YOU HAVE EARNED A DEGREE FROM A FOREIGN INSTITUTIION YOU MUST SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION EVIDENCE THAT ANY EDUCATION COMPLETED IN A FOREIGN INSTITUTION WAS APPROPRIATELY ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING BODY RECOGNIZED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS EQUIVALENT TO U.S. STANDARDS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, REFER TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEB SITE AT http;//www.ed.gov.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Candidates will be assessed based on their eligibility requirements listed under qualifications. Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualification requirements will not be further evaluated.

Applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position. Applicants who meet the qualification requirements will be further evaluated on their responses to the on-line announcement questions.  

All applicants must meet all qualifications for the position and the Pathways eligibility requirements to be considered.

Primarily applicants will be considered in Unranked Order [5 CFR 302.304(b)(5)]. Preference eligibles who have a compensable service connected disability of 10 percent or more are considered first, followed, second, by other 10-point preference eligibles, third by 5-point preference eligibles, and last, by nonpreference eligible.