Clarification from the agency

Your application will be considered if you are a: Current career/career-conditional Federal employee in the competitive service; Reinstatement eligible; Special Appointing Authority eligible; VEOA eligible Veteran; ICTAP eligible; or OPM Interchange Agreement eligible.

The Office of Audits (JA) has a goal of improving GSA, while simultaneously protecting the integrity of its operations. This office accomplishes its mission by identifying and reporting on the challenges facing GSA management. JA conducts programmatic performance audits of GSA's operations and activities, implementation reviews, and/or contract audits. The Office of Audits also oversees financial statement audits and compliance with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).

The auditor is responsible for performing a variety of audit work that requires the application of well-established auditing principles, theories, concepts, and practices. The auditor participates with other audit staff members in performing audits of GSA awarded contracts and evaluating GSA’s regional or national operating programs, systems, work processes, acquisitions, internal controls, and financial or contract administration functions. Specific duties may include the following.

• Leads junior staff in audits of GSA programs and operations, and/or contracts awarded by GSA in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS).
• Assesses audit progress, ensuring audit objectives, plans, and work assignments are meeting milestones.
• Formulates the methodology for gathering, summarizing, analyzing, and documenting evidence (physical, documentary, testimonial, and analytical).
• Drafts audit reports ensuring they are clear, concise, and technically correct and conform to OIG policies, as well as GAGAS.
• Independently, leads the audit team in meetings, briefings, and conferences with high-level management officials from the OIG, GSA, other federal agencies, and contractors regarding audit findings.
• Assists audit management with identifying key areas for future audits.
• Mentors, assists, and provides on-the-job training to junior staff.

Conditions of employment

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation.
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
• Complete a financial disclosure report to verify that no conflict, or an appearance of conflict, exists between your financial interest and this position

Qualifications

The GS-13 salary range starts at $106,841 per year.  If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.    

Basic Requirements:  You must have either A or B:

A. Degree: accounting, auditing; or a degree including auditing courses 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.

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 nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

Refer to OPM’s Auditing Qualification Standard for more information.

In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is work that demonstrates professional knowledge of the theories, concepts, and practices of accounting and auditing. Such experience must have included: planning, organizing, and conducting complex audits of major agency programs; gathering and evaluating data, and presenting and justifying findings; making recommendations for improved efficiency and effectiveness of operations to top management officials; defining immediate and long range audit planning goals of the office; and reviewing work of lower level Auditors.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. If qualifying on the basis of having a certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, applicants must also submit proof by the closing date of the announcement.

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 on the questions you answer during the application process, which will measure your possession of the following competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities. Your responses to these questions must be supported by your resume or your score may be lowered.

1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, the theories, concepts, and accepted practices of accounting, financial, and performance auditing
2. Knowledge of the missions, functions, policies, and goals of GSA nationwide, and the laws, regulations, and policies governing Agency programs
3. Ability to produce written audit documents and reports that are clear, concise, and technically correct and comply with all relevant standards and policies
4. Ability to communicate through verbal, oral, or written means to establish and maintain relationships with OIG personnel, GSA personnel, and other stakeholders internal and external to the agency in order to coordinate the completion of audits and present findings
5. Skill in utilizing project management techniques to effectively coordinate the completion of audits in accordance with established goals, objectives, and milestones

Additional hurdle assessments, such as narrative responses or other assessments, may be administered to applicants who meet the requirements of the first hurdle, e.g., the minimum qualification requirements. If additional assessments are used, you will be provided with further instructions.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP/CTAP), you must receive a score of 85 or higher to receive priority.