Summary

The position is located at the VBA Finance Center (VBAFC), Hines, Illinois, and is organizationally

aligned under the Office of Financial Management (OFM), VA Central Office. The incumbent in this

position serves as a Supervisory Accountant/ Assistant Director within the VBA Finance Center under the

oversight and supervision of the Director. The VBA Finance Center is responsible for providing financial

management support for the VA Benefit Programs with a budget of over $161 billion annually.

This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  
  Current federal employees of this agency.
• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.

Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open ONLY to current, permanent VBA Hines Finance Center employees and current/former VA employees who are CTAP eligible.

Duties

Specific duties include:

• Manages the accounting and operational processing requirements and administrative activities of the VBA Finance Center (VBFC) and performs a full range of supervisory duties
• Technical expert in policy and procedure development and quality and accuracy of VBAFC financial reports, reconciliations, and processes concerning these programs
• Provides nationwide technical accounting and operational advice, guidance, and general management for the VBAFC and the Veterans Benefits Administration and manages the administration area of the VBAFC to include the Government Operating Expenses (GOE) budget process, employee training, and human resource activities
• Exercises delegated authority to develop and oversee the overall planning, direction, and timely execution of VBAFC programs
• Exercises significant responsibilities in dealing with high-level officials of other unit organizations and advises Management officials of higher rank
• Ensures that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values are communicated to the divisions and are integrated into the strategies, goals, objectives, work plans, and work products/services for the VBAFC
• Assists the Assistant Director and Center Director in establishing, developing, and implementing long-and-short term Center goals and objectives, managing resources, establishing the most efficient and effective organizational structure, and maintaining good working relationships with a variety of organizations both within and outside the VA.
• Prepares high-level reports, maintains records of accomplishments and administrative information, and coordinates the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information for Assistant Director, Center Director, and VA Central Office officials.
• Provides comprehensive financial advice and assistance to the VBAFC Assistant Director and Director on all technical and operational matters that concern the Center and VA benefit programs; negotiates and influences the acceptance of benefit payment financial policies and procedures; and participates in formal and informal management assessment sessions as assigned by VA Central Office.
• Serves as the VBAFC business lead and operating expert in all aspects of the operational, administrative, procedural, and regulatory accounting compliance relative to the VA benefit programs and systems affecting programs supported by the VBAFC
• Manages accounting and financial system processing and administrative activities and develops processing controls/procedures for new financial systems or business requirements
• Assists VBAFC Management in developing and implementing changes within the financial systems by interpreting accounting policy and/or directives and applying generally accepted accounting principles, procedures, and/or practices
• Coordinates the implementation of new or revised financial accounting systems to ensure they are appropriately administered.
• Initiates and oversees the development of system modifications to meet the needs of users and customers; analyzes information technology systems to ensure systems provide internal controls and audit trails and the financial data produced is compatible with and effectively serves the needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Manages technical operations of the various computer systems and programs required of the VBA financial organization and analyzes, evaluates, and interprets complex financial and management data
• Finds and implements ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers to production, improve business practices, and promote team building
• Responsible for the development, oversight, and implementation of internal quality reviews for all programs supported by the VBAFC
• Possesses expertise in operational leadership and strong oral and written skills to provide guidance to higher management in a clear, concise, and logical manner.
• Uses sound judgment and makes decisions in relatively short time frames and often under extreme pressure
• Sets priorities and reviews work daily, assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, level of difficulty, and capabilities or expertise
• Finds ways to improve production and increase the quality of work and adjusts work procedures within the office to accommodate resource allocation decision

Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm

Compressed/Flexible: Available

Telework: Available

Virtual: This is a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Supervisory Accountant; PD# 38813-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selectees are required to service a one-year supervisory probationary period if not previously completed in a Federal position.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement: 05/21/2024.

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.

To verify your eligibility, you must submit a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50). The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. You must provide a copy of your most recent SF-50 that indicates proof of status, and shows Time in Grade (for example, you were a career or career-conditional employee) and identifies your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure, and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). 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 also submit your most recent promotion or within-grade increase in addition to your recent SF-50. If you previously held a higher grade, you must also submit any SF-50 showing that grade. DO NOT submit Award SF-50's and/or General Adjustment SF-50's as they cannot be used to prove time-in-grade.

• For a GS-14 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-13 level.

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

GS-14 Grade Level:

• Specialized Experience:The Supervisory Accountant (Deputy Director) is responsible for technical and operational management of the accounting systems for numerous VA benefit programs which affect issuance of over $161 billion in annual disbursements to Veterans, service persons, and dependents worldwide. Directs and implements complex modifications to the management control and flow of VA benefit accounting and financial systems, input documents, and source data. The incumbent plans and coordinates complex analytical reviews of financial processes to recommend improve procedures for existing, developing, and new financial management systems within the Veterans Benefits Administration and nationwide Benefit Payment Program. Develops, implements, and maintains an internal quality review program for all programs supported by the VBAFC to plan and execute the quality and accuracy of VBAFC reports, reconciliations, processes, and systems. In this key position, the Supervisory Accountant at this level serves as the principal advisor to VA Central Office senior-level Department officials and other Federal agencies on the pertinence of financial data and fiscal management of program operations to promote efficiency in the distribution, reallocation, and use of funds. The work affects the overall efficiency, effectiveness, and service provided to Veterans by the Department of Veterans Affairs and financial programs outside of the organization. mission and affects the entire Veteran population. Supervision, oversight, and resource management at this level requires exceptional coordination and integration for a number of very important and complex program segments or programs and involve major decisions and actions which have a direct and substantial effect on the organization and programs managed. The incumbent must exercise a high degree of initiative, resourcefulness, and professional judgment. These can concern matters of extreme urgency or unusual controversy.
• IOR: Degree: 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.")

Volunteer Experience: 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.

Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary.

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

Education

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

All education claimed by applicants will be verified upon appointment. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit.

Additional information

VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

The 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 (have a final rating of 85 or more) for this vacancy. 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/.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our 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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Applicants who do not fully address the specialized experience needed for the position (as described above in the job announcement) in their resume will not be referred for consideration.

After you have met the minimum qualifications, you will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position:

• ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT: Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production
• DECISION MAKING: Specifies goals and obstacles to achieving those goals, generates alternatives, considers risks, and evaluates and chooses the best alternative in order to make a determination, draw conclusions or solve a problem
• HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: Empowers people by sharing power and authority; develops lower levels of leadership by pushing authority downward and outward throughout the organization; shares rewards for achievement with employees; ensures that staff are appropriately selected, utilized, appraised, and developed, and that they are treated in a fair and equitable manner
• LEADERSHIP: Inspires, motivates and guides others toward goal accomplishment; coaches, mentors, and challenges subordinates; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations; models high standards of honesty, integrity, trust, openness, and respect for the individual by applying these values to daily behaviors.
• ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT: Knowledge of the principles of organizational development and change management theories, and their applications
• PLANNING AND EVALUATING: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short-or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes
• STRATEGIC THINKING: Formulates effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the organization in a global economy; examines policy issues and strategic planning with a long-term perspective; determines objectives and sets priorities; anticipates potential threats or opportunities
• ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS: Knowledge of general ledger accounting and the control/subsidiary account relationships and reconciliation techniques, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and disbursing officer's accountability

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview.

• Benefits
  
  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.
  
  Review our 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.
• Required Documents
  
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  
  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in loss of consideration for this job announcement.
  
  • Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
    
    • For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you should also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
  • Your most recent NON-AWARD SF-50. The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
  • Your SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade (e.g. Promotion, Appointment, etc.) in order to verify time-in-grade requirements.
  • Transcript if you are using education to qualify
  
  Additional Documents accepted:
  
  
  • Documentation to be considered under non-competitive eligibility (if applicable) such as a member-4 DD-214, civil service preference letter, or Schedule A letter. [if offering applicants to bypass TIG]
  • CTAP documentation - RIF notice, SF-50 showing VA employee, and performance appraisal
  
  Please use this checklist to make sure you have included all documents required for your application. You will not be contacted for additional information.
  
  
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  
  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
  schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  
  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.
• How to Apply
  
  Complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/21/2024 to receive consideration. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12409529.
  
  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
  
  Click here for instructions on viewing your application status.
  
  Agency contact information
  
  
  
  Chenele Coleman-Sellers
  
  Phone
  
  410-230-4400
  
  Email
  
  Chenele.Coleman-Sellers@va.gov
  
  Address
  
  VBA Financial Service Center
  
  5000 S 5TH AVE.
  
  Hines, IL 60141
  
  US
  
  Next steps
  
  Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
  
  You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
• Fair and Transparent
  
  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
  
  
  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package to include the documents detailed below. Your resume and supporting documentation will be verified. Failure to submit the documents as specified may result in loss of consideration for this job announcement.

• Resume detailing specialized experience and competencies as they relate to this position.
  
  • For each position in your resume, you must specify the start and end dates (month/year) and a description of duties. If the position was Federal, you should also indicate the grade level. Resumes containing a general summary of all positions held, not specifying start/end dates, and/or not including documentation supporting Federal grade level(s) are insufficient to determine basic qualifications.
• Your most recent NON-AWARD SF-50. The SF-50 must indicate proof of status and should identify your position title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
• Your SF-50 reflecting when you entered your highest grade (e.g. Promotion, Appointment, etc.) in order to verify time-in-grade requirements.
• Transcript if you are using education to qualify

Additional Documents accepted:

• Documentation to be considered under non-competitive eligibility (if applicable) such as a member-4 DD-214, civil service preference letter, or Schedule A letter. [if offering applicants to bypass TIG]
• CTAP documentation - RIF notice, SF-50 showing VA employee, and performance appraisal

Please use this checklist to make sure you have included all documents required for your application. You will not be contacted for additional information.


If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

Complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/21/2024 to receive consideration. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12409529.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Click here for instructions on viewing your application status.

Agency contact information



Chenele Coleman-Sellers

Phone

410-230-4400

Email

Chenele.Coleman-Sellers@va.gov

Address

VBA Financial Service Center

5000 S 5TH AVE.

Hines, IL 60141

US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Criminal history inquiries
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request