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Public Notice - Accountant (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Goddard Space Flight Center

Summary

Positions advertised are in various organizations and locations. NASA may fill positions in any of the following grade levels listed in this announcement (GS-09/11/12/13/14 levels).

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/13/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 13, 2026
Location
Many vacancies in the following locations:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$61,722 - $197,200 per year

Salary range reflects the lowest and highest potential salaries of the locations. Actual salary range varies by selectee(s) location.

Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 14
Promotion potential
None - Contingent - Promotion potential will be based on the position to which appointed.
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
GSFC-26-DE-13001153-SC
Control number
875662800

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Duties

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  • Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
  • Provides technical advice and tools to accountants and analysts in the continuing revision and improvement of the Agency accounting system and processes, including the implementation of financial quality assurance and internal control activities.
  • Serves as an interface for financial audits, reviews, and assessments.
  • Evaluates, reviews, and interprets statutory, regulatory, and policy directives affecting operations to ensure compliance with applicable laws.
  • Develops financial analysis and financial reporting tools and techniques. Plans and coordinates implementation and execution of approved policies, programs, and services related to accounting systems.
  • Prepares policies and procedures incorporating statutes, regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles and standards related to financial quality assurance and internal control activities.
  • Reviews reconciliations and financial reports to ensure accuracy and timeliness. Provides guidance regarding accounting and financial reporting matters; may participate or lead Center/Agency financial process teams.
  • Develops new approaches to solving unanticipated or unique problems and discerning meaningful solutions from data to solve problems.
  • Establish and monitor internal controls to identify problem areas, determine actions required, improve operating effectiveness, and ensure and maintain the integrity of financial and accounting information.
  • Serve as a technical expert, providing guidance on accounting regulation, policy, and procedures to supplement guidelines received from Headquarters, Government Accountability Office, Department of Treasury, or Office of Management and Budget.
  • For supervisory positions, you will perform a full range of supervisory duties, which includes assigning and evaluating work; recommending personnel actions; taking disciplinary actions; and identifying training needs and developing employees.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
  • Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
  • A one -year supervisory probationary period may be required.
  • To be considered for employment, you must submit your complete application by 11:59 PM ET on July 13, 2026.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.

To qualify for GS-09, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:

  • Performing operational accounting and financial management functions that includes reviewing and analyzing accounting transactions;
  • Reconciling and interpreting accounting data and/or assisting with resolving variances; and
  • Supporting various internal and external audits ensuring proper internal controls.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above

To qualify for GS-11, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level:
  • Recording or controlling financial transactions related to areas of accounting such as accounts payable, cost accruals, travel, payroll, property;
  • Reviewing processes and procedures to identify improvements that promote efficiencies and cost savings;
  • Performing accounting data analysis or reconciliation.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in an appropriate field
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above

To qualify for GS-12, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:
  • Performing a broad range of operational accounting and financial management;
  • Analyzing, reconciling, and interpreting accounting data;
  • Performing research and responding to inquiries on a variety of accounting topics.
To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:
  • Performing financial data analysis, processing transactions, reconciling and reviewing outputs in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or governmental accounting practices such as those established by Government Accountability Office (GAO), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Treasury;
  • Supporting financial and internal control audits, preparing documentation or providing recommendations to senior accountants/leaders;
  • Gathering, organizing, and analyzing accounting data to identify problems utilizing accounting systems, taking appropriate action for corrective measures.
To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level:
  • Applying analytical techniques to identify and resolve complex accounting and systems issues;
  • Working with senior level managers and external stakeholders to address and resolve financial management issues; and
  • Overseeing or evaluating accounting functions, such as internal or external financial reporting, financial statement preparation, property, accounts payable, travel, payroll, cost accruals, and reimbursable activity.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Promotion Potential
The full performance level (FPL) will vary based on the position in which the selectee is placed and does not default to the highest grade advertised.

Education

Basic Requirement:

A. You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major 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").
OR
B. Have a combination of education and experience: Have 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.
Your background must also include one of the following:

  1. 24 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) you have 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 you have 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, your education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements.

U.S. degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

In the Announcement Questionnaire, you will be prompted to select the lowest grade you wish to be considered for.

By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:
- Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
- Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
- Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents.'

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

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.

Supervisory probationary periods are not subject to the above process, although, if a standard probationary period is required. You are subject to the conditions of both a standard probationary period and the supervisory probationary period.

Other duty locations not specifically listed on this announcement may be considered at management's discretion.

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.

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.

Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.

You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Accounting Operations
  • Financial Management
  • Principles of Accounting
  • Techinal Competence

To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13001153

NASA considers 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.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

Goddard Space Flight Center

Explore the Extraordinary
Calling all the innovators, pioneers, visionaries, and adventurers! We are a diverse group of professionals united by a common purpose: to discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity. We're building on our rich legacy by embarking on new and exciting missions, both on Earth and beyond and we're looking for fresh ideas to help us get there. Do you have a passion for exploration? Do you want your work to leave an enduring impact? Join us in a career that can take you farther than you can imagine. At NASA, our work is more than just a profession-it's a lifelong pursuit, a passion, and a chance to change the world. NASA is more than astronauts. We are scientists, engineers, IT specialists, human resources specialists, accountants, writers, technicians and many other kinds of people working together to break barriers to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Explore the extraordinary, every day; explore a career at NASA!

Agency contact information

Hiring Support Hub
Fax
1-866-779-6772
Email
nssc-hiring@mail.nasa.gov
Address
Goddard Space Flight Center
8800 Greenbelt Rd
Greenbelt, MD 20771
US

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Learn more about what it's like to work at Goddard Space Flight Center, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

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