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Staff Accountant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Hershel "Woody" Williams VA Medical Center

Summary

The Staff Accountant verifies and maintains the integrity of data being recorded in the various accounting systems. Analyzes output to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with guidelines, policies, and GAAP. The need for accurate and timely accounting data is essential to budget formulation and forecasting and to the control and judicious use of appropriated funds. Properly records cost data as it pertains to the resource allocation model which has a direct impact on station funding

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/13/2026 to 02/23/2026
Salary
$61,722 to - $74,678 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Beckley, WV
Huntington, WV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBTF-12889594-26-BB-Foxtrot
Control number
857763400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to all Status applicants to include current VA employees, other federal employees in the competitive or excepted services, Veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A eligible individuals with disabilities, land and base management employees, and applicants eligible under CTAP or ICTAP

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Duties

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Primary duties include but may not be limited to the following:

  • Review transactions recorded throughout the system to ensure accuracy and uniformity of appropriation charges and accounting concepts applied
  • Interpret and execute at appropriate time all accounting manual changes of VA Handbooks, Directives, and other written policies affecting accounting operations
  • Uses sound judgment in establishing local procedures to insure accounting principles are adhered to
  • Provides accounting expertise and fiscal services to subordinates as well as department, top management, and/or VA Central Office (VACO) financial management personnel
  • Provide FMS, IFCAP, and Fund Management training to accounting technicians, control point officials, service/ service line chiefs, and fund control clerks throughout the medical center
  • Participates in decision making sessions and advises multiple program managers on regulatory requirements, financial policies, the interpretation of data, and program improvements through analysis of program operations, monthly reports, and special system edits
  • Responsible for the maintenance, reconciliation and auditing of accounts in a general ledger covering the full range of assets, liabilities, income, expense, cost accounting and budgeting
  • Monitors unfavorable trends or deviations and suggests necessary corrective action
  • Manages processing and completion of reconciliation's and audits
  • Directs the preparation, reviews and analysis of reconciliation reports (trail balances, operation of personnel quarters, Real Property Reports, accounts payable, accounts receivable, undelivered orders, Credit Card System and cost reports for all FMS, IFCAP, and PAID systems
  • Establishes and maintains liaison between operating and management officials at the medical centers
  • Responsible for compilation of cost data to develop reports, the accuracy of which has a major impact on the budgetary process for the Medical Centers and are used as a tool by the agency to allocate resources within the Veterans Health Administration
  • Maintains and performs monthly reconciliation of various general ledger accounts with related subsidiaries for various independent appropriations, including revolving funds, fund accounts, construction and grant accounts
  • Assures accounting data, computerized cost accounting reports and trial balances are in balance, to include: preparation of Internal Audit Reports for operating officials and other segments of management / VISN staff as requested
  • Performs monthly and year-end accruals for the general ledger accounts that are required for proper financial statements
  • Maintains the overall controls for expenditure accounting
  • Determines transactions are properly processed
  • Analyzes and views reports to assure they are in balance, that the data is valid and that they adhere to prescribed regulatory manuals and procedures
  • Classifies erroneous conditions and recommends changes in procedures to prevent recurrence of the problem

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Staff Accountant/PD19013A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
  • Subject to background/security investigation
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/23/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-09

Specialized Experience:
You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

  • Analyzing accounting transactions and system-generated reports for accuracy and compliance. Reconciling discrepancies in ledgers, cost accounts, and program fund balances. Preparing and reviewing financial and cost accounting reports on a regular basis. Applying federal GAAP, appropriation law, and VA policy to safeguard fund integrity. Supporting, configuring, and training users of VA accounting systems (e.g. IFCAP, FMS). Advising leadership on accounting issues and contributing to system or process enhancements.
OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for the GS-09 grade level you must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as LL.B. or J.D.) in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related KSAs/competencies necessary to satisfy the minimum qualifications and perform the duties of the Staff Accountant

GS-11

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

  • Analyzing accounting transactions and system-generated reports for accuracy and compliance. Reconciling discrepancies in ledgers, cost accounts, and program fund balances. Preparing and reviewing financial and cost accounting reports on a regular basis. Applying federal GAAP, appropriation law, and VA policy to safeguard fund integrity. Supporting, configuring, and training users of VA accounting systems (e.g. IFCAP, FMS). Advising leadership on accounting issues and contributing to system or process enhancements.
OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for the GS-11 grade level you must have 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a course of study that directly reflects the job-related KSAs/competencies necessary to satisfy the minimum qualification and perform the duties of the Staff Accountant

Preferred Experience: Demonstrated proficiency in federal accounting systems. Ability to interpret and apply federal financial regulations

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify for the grade levels listed above. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

  • Accountability
  • Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reasoning
  • Selective Placement Factor
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Your experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

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; religions; 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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator.

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