The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is actively committed to recruiting veterans and individuals with disabilities. We value their understanding of leadership, teamwork, and integrity and their array of experience, skills, and abilities, proven in real-world situations.
The SEC is accepting applications for a Staff Accountant from those eligible for consideration under the following hiring authorities:
Veterans (30% Disabled and VRA)
Individuals with Disabilities (Schedule A)
Summary
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is actively committed to recruiting veterans and individuals with disabilities. We value their understanding of leadership, teamwork, and integrity and their array of experience, skills, and abilities, proven in real-world situations.
The SEC is accepting applications for a Staff Accountant from those eligible for consideration under the following hiring authorities:
This announcement is being used as a repository. By applying to this announcement, your application will be placed into a pool for evaluation and referral to selecting officials for non-competitive hiring until September 30, 2023. Submission of your application is voluntary and does not guarantee selection or employment. You will not receive regular updates regarding your application. If you are referred to a hiring manager for consideration, you may or may not be contacted.
Typical duties of a Staff Accountant at the SEC may include any of the following:
Conducts examinations of securities-related financial institutions registered with the SEC such as investment companies, investment advisers, broker-dealers, transfer agents, and municipal advisors.
Evaluates possible risks to investors and the financial markets of registered securities-related financial institutions' business models and practices based on review and analysis, through modern quantitative techniques when possible, of information reported by the institutions to the SEC and other internal and external data sources.
Executes risk-based examination plans, which frequently involves: (i) analyzing a financial institution's operations and procedures, sales practices, supervisory systems, books and records, and financial statements, (ii) reviewing investigatory complaints, (iii) investigating new financial products, (iv) examining specialized securities, (v) interviewing principals of registrants, and/or (vi) analyzing performance calculations to assess the level of compliance with federal securities laws and/or self-regulatory requirements.
Provides forensic accounting expertise relating to complex and difficult accounting investigations, including the development and preparation of forensic accounting analysis and reports.
Applies sophisticated accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to identify, analyze, and summarize evidence of financial fraud or other accounting related violations of the federal securities laws.
Prepares detailed financial accounting findings and conclusions utilized in SEC administrative proceedings and/or federal court actions,and translates findings into terminology and formats which can be understood by both legal and lay personnel.
Works with legal staff by reviewing subpoenas; identifies potential witnesses and takes testimony; analyzes documentary and/or testimonial evidence to determine potential for Commission action.
Identifies accounting trends, problematic issues, and novel accounting processes being used by publicly held entities.
Responds to inquiries on complex accounting and auditing matters from Commission staff, securities industry staff, other federal agencies, and the courts relating to Enforcement cases and proceedings.
Analyzes bank, brokerage, and/or trade blotter records to trace transactions through one or more accounts in order to provide summary cash flow reports detailing the sources and uses of cash and/or transaction reports detailing the profitability of brokerage account trading.
Reviews disclosures made in registration statements filed in connection with initial public offerings and other securities offerings as well as annual, quarterly, and other reports.
Identifies, analyzes, and resolves complex accounting and reporting issues facing public companies in and across a variety of industries.
Researches and provides interpretation of accounting regulations, statutes, executive orders, and agency directives.
Reviews firm documents to gain an understanding of the processes, functions, or businesses being inspected. An emphasis is placed on understanding and evaluating the risks of each process, function, or business being inspected and the controls implemented to mitigate those risks.
Interviews relevant firm personnel (e.g., control, business, Internal Audit, etc.) to discuss: documents received by the firm; firm specific processes, risks, and controls; potential challenges in conducting the inspection; identification of key personnel; current issues and concerns; and future plans.
Application procedures are specific to this vacancy announcement. Please read all the instructions carefully. Failure to follow the instructions may result in you not being considered for this position.
TRIAL PERIOD: This appointment may require completion of a trial period.
SECURITY CLEARANCE: Entrance on duty is contingent upon completion of a pre-employment security investigation. Favorable results on a Background Investigation may be a condition of employment or selection to another position.
DRUG TESTING: This position may be subjected to drug testing requirements.
PERMANENT CHANGE OF STATION (PCS): Moving/Relocation expenses are not authorized.
DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
This position is in the collective bargaining unit.
This position is eligible to request telework in accordance with the SEC 's telework policy.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifying experience may be obtained in the private or public sector. 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; religious; 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. Qualifying education must have been obtained from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
BASIC REQUIREMENT:
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 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
B. 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 non-conformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.
Who May Apply:
Schedule A Hiring Authority:
Schedule A, 5 CFR 213.3102(u), is a special hiring authority for people with disabilities. It is intended for the appointment of persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities. Schedule A is an exception to the traditional hiring process. Eligibility for the Schedule A Hiring Authority does not guarantee job placement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Persons with disabilities are hired under excepted service appointments to positions that are otherwise in the competitive service. Individuals hired under Schedule A are subject to a trial period (i.e., probationary period) that can last up to two years, based on veteran status. During probation, employees hired under Schedule A are held to the same performance standards as all other employees. After two years of satisfactory service, such employees may be noncompetitively converted to the competitive service.
This hiring authority enables a hiring official to appoint an eligible 30 percent or more disabled veteran to any position for which the veteran is qualified; there is no grade level limitation. Initial competitive service appointments are time-limited (e.g., temporary or term appointment), but must last more than 60 days; however, a veteran can acquire permanent status at any time during the time-limited appointment. Individuals placed under this hiring authority are subject to a one-year probationary period.
Eligibility applies to the following categories of veterans who separated under honorable conditions:
Disabled veterans who were retired from active military service with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more; and
Disabled veterans rated by the VA as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.
VRA allows agencies to make appointments of eligible and qualified veterans up to the SK-11 (equivalent to the GS-11); promotion potential of the position is not a factor. Veterans are hired under excepted service appointments to positions that are otherwise in the competitive service. Individuals placed under this hiring authority are subject to a trial period (i.e., probationary period) that can last up to two years, based on veteran status. During probation, employees hired under VRA are held to the same performance standards as all other employees. After two years of satisfactory service, veterans are noncompetitively converted to the competitive service.
VRA eligibility applies to the following categories of veterans who separated under honorable conditions:
Disabled veterans;
Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war declared by Congress, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized;
Veterans who, while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces, participated in a military operation for which the Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was awarded, to include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and
Veterans separated from active duty within the past three years.
Education
ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.
PASS/FAIL COURSES: If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
SEC COMPENSATION PROGRAM: The overall salary range listed above is provided for informational purposes as it represents the full range that is applicable to current employees in this occupation/grade; however, a selectee's initial pay is always set below the maximum rate of the range. Please click here for additional information.
Reasonable Accommodation: If you are an applicant who needs a reasonable accommodation for disability to participate in the application process at the SEC, submit the form for Reasonable Accommodation for Participation in Job Application Process here. Please be sure to submit your request at least 5 business days in advance of the date you need the requested accommodation.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Information for SEC Job Applicants: Federal EEO laws protect all applicants from discrimination on the following bases: race, color, sex (not limited to conduct which is sexual in nature, includes pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender status), age (40 and over), religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, retaliation for participating in the EEO process or opposing discrimination. Applicants who believe they have been discriminated against on any EEO basis can seek recourse through the SEC's administrative complaints process. To be timely, an individual must enter the EEO process within 45 days from when they know (or should have known) of the alleged discrimination. Click here for additional information.
TTY/ASCII: Video Relay Service users are welcome to contact the appropriate SEC office or employee via the contact information listed above. If you do not otherwise have access to a Video Phone or Video Relay service, you may send us an email or use the Federal Video Relay Service via the internet. For more information about using the Federal Relay Service and to create a new account, please see: https://www.federalrelay.us/
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.
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.
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. Additional information about the OPM Qualification Standards can be found here.
We will evaluate your qualifications and basic eligibility. Your referral to Hiring officials seeking to fill positions utilizing non-competitive hiring flexibilities may be dependent on your answers to the Occupational Questionnaire and your selections of grade and locations you will accept.
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.
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.
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Required: Your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
Required: Your complete and comprehensive resume that includes a complete history of your work experience and the applicable employment dates with months and years. To determine if you qualify for this position, OHR will review your work history that is relevant to the specific position for which you applied. If you are an external candidate selected for this position, OHR will review your complete work history to establish your starting salary. If you are a current SEC employee selected for this position, the standard percentage increases will be applied (i.e., 6% for non-supervisory and 10% for supervisory positions) if your selection results in a promotion. If your selection results in lateral movement (i.e. no change in grade) you will maintain your current salary.Note: Your resume must directly address the definition of specialized experience listed in the qualification section of this announcement and must NOT contain pictures. For external candidates: Information on how your resume will be used for pay setting purposes can be found here.
Required: An unofficial college transcript.(Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required.)
Schedule A Hiring Authority: Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any federal agency, state agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
30% or More Disabled Veteran/VRA: Veteran's Preference Documentation (DD-214, Member Copy 4 or other documentation containing dates of service and character of discharge. Disabled veterans and other applicants eligible for 10-point Veteran's Preference please include: documentation to validate your claim - VA letter, SF-15, etc).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be terminated after you begin work, or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. You will be required to submit official documentation before appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, Veterans' Preference, certification of disability, etc.).
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:
Required: Your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire.
Required: Your complete and comprehensive resume that includes a complete history of your work experience and the applicable employment dates with months and years. To determine if you qualify for this position, OHR will review your work history that is relevant to the specific position for which you applied. If you are an external candidate selected for this position, OHR will review your complete work history to establish your starting salary. If you are a current SEC employee selected for this position, the standard percentage increases will be applied (i.e., 6% for non-supervisory and 10% for supervisory positions) if your selection results in a promotion. If your selection results in lateral movement (i.e. no change in grade) you will maintain your current salary.Note: Your resume must directly address the definition of specialized experience listed in the qualification section of this announcement and must NOT contain pictures. For external candidates: Information on how your resume will be used for pay setting purposes can be found here.
Required: An unofficial college transcript.(Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required.)
Schedule A Hiring Authority: Documentation of eligibility for employment under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any federal agency, state agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.
30% or More Disabled Veteran/VRA: Veteran's Preference Documentation (DD-214, Member Copy 4 or other documentation containing dates of service and character of discharge. Disabled veterans and other applicants eligible for 10-point Veteran's Preference please include: documentation to validate your claim - VA letter, SF-15, etc).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired, you may be terminated after you begin work, or you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. You will be required to submit official documentation before appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, Veterans' Preference, certification of disability, etc.).
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
