Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

As an Accounting Technician (Payroll), you will:

• Serve as an Authorized Certifying Officer responsible for the audit and certification of disbursement vouchers and scheduling of payments, to assure the accuracy and legality of payments made from numerous funding sources and processes power sale receipts and collections.
• Serve as an Authorized Certifying Officer responsible for the audit and certification of disbursement vouchers and scheduling of payments, to assure the accuracy and legality of payments made from numerous funding sources and processes power sale receipts and collections.
• Perform broad-in-depth research, reconciliation and analysis of financial transactions, policies and guidance, and other technical issues related to Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Travel, Intra-Governmental Payments and Collections and other assigned Cash Management functions.
• Provide advice and responses to questions on payment and collection transactions, procedures and policies.
• Develop solutions to payment and collection problems and issues.
• Develop solutions to payment and collection processing problems and issues.
• Document and maintain process and procedure documents for running tracers and tracking down lost or returned payments, running and reviewing payment reports, and other customer service-related duties.
• Respond to vendor and support service contractor questions, assures the proper documentation of deficiencies and accumulation of statistical information.
• Prepare correspondence responding to inquiries explaining various aspects of the Prompt Payment Act, required funding documentation, travel regulations and provide detailed and technical explanations of accounting discrepancies of procedural or reporting requirements.
• Research financial regulations and rulings to resolve questions of procedure and legality when necessary.
• Perform analysis and research of accounting data and reports to assure compliance with applicable procedures and regulations.
• Reconcile and research invoices paid against material receipts and purchase orders to ensure that goods or services received align with contractual terms and account coding.
• Compile payment and collection supporting documentation for correcting entries. Research errors to determine the nature of the error (considering the appropriation, allotment, and documents affected) and amount of the discrepancy.
• Compile and verify the accuracy of payment and collection data to assist in the preparation of statements and reports, schedules, and analyses of accounting transactions.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
• Limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, only the first two pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility and qualifications.
• Security clearance and associated requirements - Non-Sensitive/Low Risk.
• Must obtain and maintain a Certifying Officer Certification.

Qualifications

There is no Individual Occupational Requirements for this series/grade.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as:

For the GS-08 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level [GS-07] in the Federal service in all of the following:

1. Applying accounting processes related to accounts payable functions and financial transactions;
2. Entering, validating and monitoring the accuracy of financial transactions entered in a financial system;
3. Performing payroll functions, verifying time and attendance data, processing adjustments, and ensuring timely and accurate processing of payroll documents.

"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.

Work Environment:
Work is performed in a standard office or remote setting.

Physical Demands:
Daily work is sedentary, involving work at a desk. Work may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the work site. Some employees may carry light items or drive a motor vehicle. No special physical effort or ability is required to do the work.

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 on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

• Arithmetic/Mathematical Reasoning
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Reading Comprehension
• Self-Management
• Teamwork

Career Transition Assistance Programs: To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet the eligibility criteria; and 2) be rated "well-qualified".

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (06/29/2026) of this announcement.

Reasonable Accommodation 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 reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations 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. 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 Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12987301.